Debt Verification Letter: Free Template + How to Use It
A debt verification letter is your tool to dispute questionable debts and protect yourself from wrongful collection. Send it within 30 days of receiving a validation letter to stop collection efforts while the collector investigates. Use the free template to request proof of the debt, verify the collector's authority, and ensure you're not paying more than you legally owe.
Get Free Debt HelpA debt verification letter is correspondence you send to a debt collector. You use it to get more information about a debt or start a dispute.
When a debt collector contacts you, something might not seem right. The collection agency might be unfamiliar. The debt amount might look wrong. You can use a debt verification letter to learn more.
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Lower Your PaymentsVerification letters help you dispute debts you don’t actually owe. They also help you identify potential debt collection scams.
What Is a Debt Verification Letter?
A debt verification letter helps you gather information from a debt collector. You usually send this after receiving a debt validation letter.
When you disagree with the collector’s details, you can use the letter to dispute the debt.
What Should a Debt Verification Letter Include?
A strong debt verification letter contains these elements:
- Your name and contact information
- The debt collector’s name and contact details
- A brief statement of your intent
- Specific questions about the debt amount, ownership, age, and collection authority
- A closing paragraph requesting the debt be marked as disputed
Free Debt Verification Letter Template
Below is a sample debt verification letter you can customize. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers additional templates with specific questions.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Date]
[Debt Collector’s Name]
[Debt Collector’s Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Subject: Request for Debt Verification – [Account Number, if available]
Dear [Debt Collector’s Name],
I recently received a notice from your company regarding a debt. You contacted me by [phone/mail] on [date] and identified the debt as [any information provided].
Before I discuss this matter further, I need more details. Please provide the following information:
- The name and contact details of the original creditor
- The account number and amount owed when transferred
- Documentation showing I am legally responsible for this debt
- A breakdown of the current balance, including interest and fees
- Records of any payments made on the account
- The date of the last payment
- Confirmation of whether the debt is within the statute of limitations
Additionally, if your company needs a debt collection license in my state, please provide details.
Until I receive this information, I consider this debt disputed. Please provide the requested details in writing. If you’re willing to negotiate a settlement, include your offer in writing.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Why Should You Send a Debt Verification Letter?
The main purpose is protection. You confirm that the debt is actually yours. You verify the collector has authority to collect it. You ensure you’re not paying more than legally required.
When something seems off, dispute the debt until you’re certain. If you don’t dispute within 30 days, the collector assumes you agree.
Your verification letter puts the collector on notice. You’re disputing the debt. You’re serious and willing to fight wrongful collection.
Legally, debt collectors must provide specific details in the validation notice. But if they have additional information you request, they must send copies.
Common Verification Letter Requests
The most common request is for the original creditor’s name and address. You might also ask:
- Why the collector believes you owe the debt
- The age of the debt and last payment date
- Whether the statute of limitations has expired
- When the collector purchased the debt
- Whether the collector is licensed in your state
When you send a debt verification letter disputing the debt, the collector must respond. They may not contact you or report the debt to credit bureaus until they’ve answered.
Even after responding, they must mark the debt as “disputed” on credit reports. A disputed debt won’t affect your credit score during the investigation period (usually around 30 days).
Send your letter via certified mail with return receipt requested. You’ll have proof of when you sent it and when they received it.
How Long Do You Have to Send a Verification Letter?
You can send a dispute verification letter anytime. But to maximize your legal rights, send it within 30 days of receiving your validation letter.
The validation letter should tell you when your 30-day period expires.
When you send the letter within this timeline, the collector must stop collection efforts. During this time, they can’t contact you about the debt. They can’t report the disputed debt to credit bureaus.
If you miss the 30-day window, the collector assumes the debt is valid. They can continue phone calls and contact attempts. You can still send a verification letter later. The collector must respond, but they can continue collection efforts meanwhile.
No matter when you send it, the collector must answer your verification letter in writing.
How Long Does a Collector Have to Respond?
No law governs the response timeframe for verification letters. But if you sent your letter within 30 days, the collector has motivation to respond quickly. Otherwise, they can’t continue collection activities.
The Debt Collector Responded to Your Request
After the collector responds, assume they’ll continue trying to collect from you.
Take action seriously. The collector can take legal action if you ignore them. If they win a lawsuit, they can get a court order to garnish your paycheck or bank account.
If you believe you owe the debt, make a repayment plan. You can try negotiating a debt settlement agreement. You can work out a payment plan with the collector.
If you’re struggling with multiple debts, reach out for additional help. Our partner Cambridge Credit Counseling offers free sessions to review your options. Having someone negotiate with creditors on your behalf relieves significant stress.
You Disagree With the Collector’s Response
When the collector maintains the debt is valid but you disagree, continue disputing it. Send documentation proving you paid the debt or owe a different amount.
Send copies of canceled checks or credit card statements showing payments. Always keep the originals.
If you settled the debt or made an agreement with the original creditor, send copies of the settlement agreement. If you don’t have access to this information, contact the original creditor. Ask for a letter stating you paid off the debt or a copy of your payment history.
Keep a record of all communication with the debt collector. Include letters, written notices, and a log of phone conversations (date, time, and topic discussed). Be careful what you say regarding the debt. The collector is likely recording conversations or keeping their own records.
The Debt Collector Didn’t Respond to Your Request
Sometimes you’ll stop hearing from the collector altogether after requesting verification. Verification and dispute letters are powerful tools.
Here are a few reasons the collector may not respond:
- The debt collection was a scam
- The collector needs more time to find information you requested
- The collection agency knows the debt is beyond the statute of limitations and they can’t sue you
Remember: If you sent a verification letter within the 30-day validation period, the collector can’t legally try to collect the debt.
What Is the Statute of Limitations?
The statute of limitations is a state law. It determines how long a debt collector or creditor has to sue a borrower for a defaulted debt.
Once the deadline passes, a creditor or debt collection agency doesn’t have the legal right to sue you. That said, collectors commonly file lawsuits anyway. In this case, you must assert a statute of limitations defense.
Why Is the Debt Still on Your Credit Report?
If you sent a verification letter disputing the debt, it must be marked as “disputed” on your credit report. Unpaid debts and accounts in collections hurt your credit score.
You can dispute these debts and have them removed from your credit report. Contact the credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian) directly.
Debt Validation vs Debt Verification Letter
These two letters sound similar. Sometimes you’ll hear the names used interchangeably. But there are important differences between them.
Debt Validation Letter
A debt validation letter is written notice that debt collectors must legally send you. They send it before first contact or within five days after initial contact.
The letter should contain key details about the debt:
- Account number
- Amount of the debt
- Name of the creditor
- Debt collector’s mailing address and contact information
The validation letter tells you when the 30-day validation period ends. It should include a detachable form you can fill out and return to dispute the debt or request information.
Debt Verification Letter
A debt verification letter is a letter you write to a debt collector. You use it to dispute a debt or ask for more information.
You typically send this letter in response to receiving a debt validation letter. You can use the detachable form on the validation notice or write your own.
Your right to dispute a debt is outlined in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The federal law governs third-party debt collection practices.