Debt Validation Letter Template

What Is a Debt Validation Letter?

A debt validation letter is a written request you send to a debt collector to ask for proof that the debt is real, the amount is correct, and they have the right to collect it.

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you must send the letter within 30 days of the first contact. Once you do, the debt collector has to stop collection efforts until they show proper documentation. This letter helps protect you from paying a debt you don’t owe. It also gives you a way to challenge errors or suspicious claims. Keep in mind, a debt validation letter is not the same as a credit report dispute letter, which is used to fix mistakes on your credit report.

You can use our debt validation letter template to create a clear and legally correct response tailored to your situation. It’s your first step in pushing back against unfair collection tactics.

What Information Must Debt Collectors Provide?

Debt collectors must provide several key pieces of information on request. You may want to ask for all of this information in your debt validation letter so that you can make sure the debt is really owed:

• The full amount of the debt
• The name of the creditor or creditors to whom you owe the debt
• Account numbers associated with the debt (in the case of payments you make on a regular basis)
• An itemized account of the debt, including fees, penalties, and payments or credits against the account
• The name and contact information of the debt collector
• Information about replies and repayment

If you aren’t sure whether a debt collector has accurately reflected the amount of your debt or even its existence, Legal Templates offers a debt validation letter template that makes it simple for you to request the full disclosure you need.

How to Write a Debt Validation Letter

When you use the debt validation letter template from Legal Templates, you can fill in all the relevant data through a few simple questions, making it simple to validate your debt and protect your rights.

1. Include Both Parties’ Contact Information

Include your name and address as well as the debt collector’s name and address in your documentation.

2. Identify the Specific Debt

Include the account number that the debt collection agency provided, if applicable, as well as any account information from the original creditor, including the account number. The more information you can provide, the more accurate you make this request.

3. Lay Out Your Request

Clearly lay out the information you want the debt collector to provide, including the original creditor, the original amount of the debt, and any fees and penalties. Make sure to add all the things you need or want to know about the debt in order to validate it.

4. Send the Letter

Send the letter by certified mail within 30 days of receiving the initial debt collection notice, and request a return receipt. While this is not legally required, it’s good practice to provide evidence that you have followed the right steps to dispute the debt. That 30-day deadline is crucial if you want the collection attempts to stop while the debt is being verified.

Debt Validation Letter Sample

If you’re wondering what a debt validation letter looks like, you can view a sample below. You can customize this debt validation letter template using Legal Templates’ document editor and then download it in PDF or Word format.

What Happens After the Debt Validation Letter?

Once you’ve sent a debt validation letter, you’ll need to wait for the debt collector to respond. Debt collectors do not have a set timeline under which they have to respond to the request for validation. However, they do have to stop the collection process until they respond to you, as long as you send your request for validation within the 30-day time frame.

Validating the Response

After you receive a response from the debt collector, you need to determine whether the debt is valid. Compare it to your own records. Check your purchase history to make sure that the debt reflects your spending. In addition, check your account for payments made against the debt.

Managing Invalid Debt

If you discover that the debt is invalid, start by submitting a written dispute letter. Provide a clear reason why you’re disputing the debt and any evidence of payments made. If collection efforts continue, submit a cease and desist letter to the debt collector and contact the credit bureau to dispute inaccurate reports. You can also report a debt collector who continues to try to collect on an invalid debt to the state Attorney General or contact a lawyer to help you.

Making Debt Validation Easier With Legal Templates

Invalid debt can hurt your credit report and leave you dealing with debt collection efforts. With Legal Templates, the debt validation process is simple. Put your information into our debt validation letter template, then submit it to the debt collector. Once they respond, you’ll have a better idea of whether the debt is valid and what steps you need to take next, including submitting a debt dispute letter.

Frequently Asked Questions