I Got a Collections Letter
What to do when a debt collector contacts you
Don't panic. Don't pay anything yet.
A collections letter feels scary, but you have rights. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects you. The first step is always to validate the debt - never pay something you haven't verified.
Your Progress
AI Prompts
Analyze Collections Letter
I received a debt collection letter. Please help me analyze it for: 1. Required disclosures (is this a legitimate collection attempt?) 2. Red flags that might indicate a scam 3. Information I should verify before responding 4. My rights under the FDCPA 5. Time-sensitive deadlines I need to know about Here's the letter: [PASTE COLLECTIONS LETTER TEXT HERE] Please identify any FDCPA violations and explain my next steps.
Collection letters must contain specific information required by law. This prompt helps you identify whether the letter is legitimate, what your rights are, and whether the collector has already violated any laws.
Watch Out For:
- Never admit the debt is yours until validated
- The 30-day validation period is critical
- Some "collection letters" are scams
Debt Validation Letter
Generate a debt validation letter I can send to this debt collector. Include: 1. A formal request for validation under FDCPA Section 809(b) 2. Request for original creditor information 3. Request for complete payment history 4. Request for proof they are licensed to collect in my state 5. Notice that I dispute the debt until validated 6. Instruction to cease contact until validation is provided Collector name: [NAME] Collector address: [ADDRESS] Account/Reference number: [NUMBER] Alleged amount: $[AMOUNT]
You have 30 days from first contact to request validation, and the collector must stop collection activity until they provide it. Many debts cannot be properly validated, which can get them dismissed entirely.
Need a physical copy?