What should I do when I receive a collection notice?

Send a debt validation letter within 30 days of first contact. Under FDCPA §809(b), the collector must stop all collection activity until they provide proof of the debt.

What is debt validation under the FDCPA?

Debt validation requires the collector to provide: the name of the original creditor, original account number, complete payment history, and current amount breakdown. They cannot legally collect until this is provided.

Can a debt collector sue me if I dispute the debt?

If the debt is time-barred (past the statute of limitations for your state), a collector cannot sue to collect it. Sending a validation letter does not restart the clock on a time-barred debt.

Respond to a Collection Notice

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) Section 809(b) gives you the right to demand debt validation within 30 days of a collector's first contact. If the collector cannot validate, they must cease collection activity. You also have the right to demand they stop contacting you entirely.

Success rate: 67% · Average recovered: $0 debt eliminated · Time limit: Send debt validation letter within 30 days of first collector contact for maximum protection

Winning Arguments

Request debt validation — many collectors cannot provide it
Statute of limitations may have expired (typically 3–6 years)
Collector is not licensed in your state
The debt has already been paid or settled
The amount claimed is incorrect or includes illegal fees
You are not the person who owes this debt (mistaken identity)

Laws That Protect You

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) §809(b)
Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (California)
State debt collection licensing laws

How to Dispute — Step by Step

Send a debt validation letter by certified mail, return receipt requested
Request: original creditor name, account number, full debt amount, license number
Collector must cease contact until they provide validation
If debt is beyond statute of limitations, explicitly state you do not acknowledge it
If they continue calling after your cease contact request, they violate the FDCPA
File FDCPA violations with the CFPB and your state AG

What to Include in Your Dispute Letter

Your full name, mailing address, and the account or bill number in question
A clear statement that you are formally disputing the charge, and the specific reason why
The law or billing right that supports your position (see the laws listed above)
Copies — never originals — of receipts, statements, or correspondence as evidence
A reasonable deadline for a written response, typically 30 days

A well-documented, written dispute that cites the right law puts the burden back on the biller to justify the charge. Keep a copy of everything you send, use certified mail when possible, and follow up in writing if you do not receive a timely response. ContestMyBill generates a letter that does all of this for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a debt validation letter erase my debt?

No. But if the collector cannot validate, they cannot legally continue pursuing you and cannot sue. Many uncollectable debts are dropped after validation requests.

What is the statute of limitations on debt?

It varies by state and debt type: typically 3–6 years. After this window, the debt is 'time-barred' and you have a defense against a lawsuit. Do NOT make any payment on old debt without consulting an attorney — it can restart the clock.

Can a collector still contact me after I dispute?

Not until they provide validation. If they do, they're violating the FDCPA — document every contact and consider suing them (you can recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages).

Ready to dispute your collection notices?

Generate a professional AI dispute letter in minutes — free to start. No lawyer needed.

Start Your Dispute Letter →