Usually a collector will send you a letter in the mail, this letter is called a dunning letter. The letter also is bound by many laws.
The letter is supposed to simply let you be aware of a possible debt that you may owe to someone.
In the letter they are supposed to give you the name of original creditor as well as who they are. Usually they are either a collector for the original creditor or a junk debt buyer who bought the debt from the creditor for pennies on the dollar.
Also in the letter is supposed to be account numbers, amount owed etc.
The law forces them to include also a mini miranda rights section. This tells you, the consumer, that you have 30 days from the date of the letter to dispute the debt if you believe it is not your debt, or if the amount or other information is incorrect.
As a consumer, this is what you need to know:
1. Respond to the letter right away and for sure within the 30 day time period, the letter you send is called a validation and dispute letter, requesting validation from the sender. You are disputing the debt or the facts shown.
This is a letter asking them to prove to you that you owe the debt and why are trying to collect it. Did they buy it or where they hired by the original creditor to collect it.
If you do not respond within the 30 days to that letter, then you are telling them that you do in fact owe them what they are saying you owe and they can further file lawsuits etc to collect the debt.
2. You can ask them to cease and desist all collection activities until they can validate or prove to you the debt is yours.
3. You can request they only contact you by mail and also request they do not communicate with others about this alleged item.
4. In most cases a collector will tack on other amounts onto the bill therefore it may be an incorrect amount therefore you must dispute.

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I urge everyone to dispute everything no matter if you owe it or not. This must be done within the first 30 days. By law the collector has to validated the alleged by sending you proof that you actually owe them or the original creditor and if they purchased the debt the proof they now own it.
If you do not respond to the letter then you are agreeing that you owe the amounts even if it is wrong. I know it does not sound right but it is.
5. Very important! The letter cannot contain any threats to you in way. Many collectors love to add in little sayings like you will lose your job, we will be garnishing your wages, we will collect the debt by coming to your house, etc. This is against the law and any threat should be dealt with immediately by filing charges at your local police station and speaking to an attorney.
They are also not allowed to make you believe they are attorneys when they are not. Many will use a law office type of logo and they are not attorneys.
Some collectors are attorneys so you need to be careful with this part. Hassle Free Help is now available by Clicking Here now