The CFPB has prepared sample letters that a consumer could use to respond to a debt collector. These letters include tips on how to use them. The sample letters may help you to get information. You can use one of the sample letters to request information about why the interest rate was increased.
Another sample letter is to stop or limit any further communication. Always keep a copy of your letter for your records. Searches are limited to 50 characters. If you have a question, others likely have the same question, too. By sharing your questions and our answers, we can help others as well.
Personal credit report disputes cannot be submitted through Ask Experian. To dispute information in your personal credit report, simply follow the instructions provided with it. Your personal credit report includes appropriate contact information including a website address, toll-free telephone number and mailing address. To submit a dispute online visit Experian's Dispute Center. If you have a current copy of your personal credit report, simply enter the report number where indicated, and follow the instructions provided.
If you do not have a current personal report, Experian will provide a free copy when you submit the information requested. Additionally, you may obtain a free copy of your report once a week through April at AnnualCreditReport. Editorial Policy: The information contained in Ask Experian is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. You should consult your own attorney or seek specific advice from a legal professional regarding any legal issues.
Please understand that Experian policies change over time. Posts reflect Experian policy at the time of writing. While maintained for your information, archived posts may not reflect current Experian policy. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer or other company, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. All information, including rates and fees, are accurate as of the date of publication and are updated as provided by our partners.
Some of the offers on this page may not be available through our website. The debt collector could then garnish your wages and bank accounts, meaning it could take money from your paycheck or accounts. Make sure you respond by the date stated in the court papers so you can defend yourself in court. If you are sued, you may want to consult an attorney. The law protects you from abusive, unfair, or deceptive debt collection practices. Here is information about some common debt collection issues:.
It is important that you respond as soon as possible if a debt collector contacts you about a debt that you do not owe, that is for the wrong amount, that is for a debt you already paid, or that you want more information about.
Make sure you respond in writing to dispute the debt. If you don't, the debt collector may keep trying to collect the debt from you and may even end up suing you for payment. Within five days after a debt collector first contacts you, it must send you a written notice, called a "validation notice," that tells you 1 the amount it thinks you owe, 2 the name of the creditor, and 3 how to dispute the debt in writing. Don't give a debt collector any personal or financial information until it sends you this validation notice—it may be a scam.
Make sure you dispute the debt in writing within 30 days of when the debt collector first contacted you. If you do so, the debt collector must stop trying to collect the debt until it can show you verification of the debt. You should dispute a debt in writing if:. Send the dispute letter by certified mail with a return receipt, and keep a copy of the letter and receipt.
For more information, see the FTC's "Don't recognize that debt? Here's what to do". Debt collectors cannot harass or abuse you. They cannot swear, threaten to illegally harm you or your property, threaten you with illegal actions, or falsely threaten you with actions they do not intend to take.
They also cannot make repeated calls over a short period to annoy or harass you. Debt collectors cannot make false or misleading statements. For example, they cannot lie about the debt they are collecting or the fact that they are trying to collect debt, and they cannot use words or symbols that falsely make their letters to you seem like they're from an attorney, court, or government agency.
Debt collectors cannot call you at unusual or inconvenient times or places. Generally, they may call between 8 a. Debt collectors may send you notices or letters, but the envelopes cannot contain information about your debt or any information that is intended to embarrass you. You may ask a debt collector to contact you only by mail, or through your attorney, or set other limitations. Make sure you send your request in writing, send it by certified mail with a return receipt, and keep a copy of the letter and receipt.
You also have the right to ask a debt collector to stop contacting you entirely. If you do so, the debt collector can only contact you to confirm that it will stop contacting you and to notify you that it may file a lawsuit or take other action against you. Remember that if you ask a debt collector to stop contacting you entirely, it may still sue you and may still report your debt to credit reporting companies, which will likely hurt your credit.
For information about when a debt collector can contact your employer or other people, see Debt Collector Contacting Your Employer or Other People.
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