You have a right to make debt collectors prove the debt they claim you owe. It is not enough for them to simply send you a demand letter and a few statements to make you pay up. To demand debt verification, you can follow these steps:
- Write a debt verification letter to the creditor. The letter should include the following information:
- Your name and address
- The creditor’s name and address
- The account number for the debt in question
- A request for validation of the debt, including any supporting documents or information that the creditor has about the debt.
- Send the letter via certified mail with a return receipt requested. This will provide you with proof that the creditor received the letter.
- Wait for a response. The creditor has 30 days to respond to your request for debt verification.
- Review the creditor’s response. If the creditor is unable to verify the debt, they must stop all collection activities. If they are able to verify the debt, they must provide you with evidence to support their claim.
- If you believe the creditor has not properly verified the debt, you may dispute the debt with the credit reporting agencies.
It’s important to remember that debt verification only applies to third-party debt collectors. If you’re dealing with the original creditor, you may want to request an account statement or payment history instead. Want to sign up for our credit repair membership services – CLICK HERE
