


Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
Prepare for your exams
Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points to download
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
Community
Ask the community for help and clear up your study doubts
Discover the best universities in your country according to Docsity users
Free resources
Download our free guides on studying techniques, anxiety management strategies, and thesis advice from Docsity tutors
Summary of debt collection correspondence.
Typology: Cheat Sheet
1 / 4
This page cannot be seen from the preview
Don't miss anything!
Use the sample letter on the next page to ask for more information about this debt.
Read the background below.
Fill in your information on the sample letter and edit it as needed to fit your situation. Delete any parts that don’t apply to you.
Print and send the letter as soon as you can. Keep a copy for your records. You should consider sending the letter by certified mail or another method by which you can establish when the letter is received by the intended recipient.
Send this letter as soon as you can -- if at all possible, within 30 days of when a debt collector contacts you the first time about a debt. This is important because, under the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, your legal rights to obtain verification information from a debt collector are greater during the 30-day period. When a debt collector is asking you to pay money, you’re entitled to ask for details. The sample letter below will help you to get details on the following: Why a debt collector thinks you owe this debt. The amount of the debt and how old it is. Details about the debt collector’s authority to collect this money. A debt collector may not have a legal obligation to provide some or all of the information you seek, even if you request it within the 30-day period. If the collector doesn’t give you what you request, that doesn’t necessarily mean the debt collector has broken any laws or has given up a legal right to collect from you. After you send your letter: If the debt collector makes vague statements about what will happen if you do not pay, read their response to your letter carefully. If they tell you that they intend to sue you, you should take that seriously. Federal law prohibits a debt collector from threatening to take any action they can’t take or that they don’t intend to take. If you have specific questions, you may want to contact a lawyer. If you need a lawyer, you can: Review this list of state legal services.
Find lawyer referrals in your county and state by visiting the websites for your local or county bar association, or legal aid. State laws, have statutes of limitations, or limited time periods when creditors or debt collectors can file a lawsuit to collect a debt. These periods of time can be two years or longer. The period of time varies by state and by the type of debt. In some states, even a partial payment on the debt will restart the time period. If you suspect that the debt may be beyond the statute of limitations, you may want to consult a lawyer before making any payment on a debt. Not all states require debt collectors to be licensed. Where a license is required, knowing whether or not a debt collector is licensed may be useful. If the debt collector isn’t conducting itself properly, you can contact the state licensing agency.