The Nuts and Bolts on How to Request Validation
Requesting Validation from a Collection Agency puts the breaks on a Collection Agency from Harassing you. If it is done in a proper amount of time. They have five days to send you a letter informing you of your validation rights after first contact from them.
The laws governing collection agencies say that if the validation request is made within thirty days after recieving a validation rights notice they have to cease collection activity until it is provided to you.
This means they cannot send you dunning letters, call you or even take you to court until after they provide validation. So this is a very important step in stopping collection agency harassment.
Putting it in Writing
You can be rest assured they keep records of every time they contact you and you should do the same.
If a collection agency contact you after you request validation and before they provide it it violates Collection Agency Laws and may entitle you to collect money from them. So make sure you document you validation request.
- Postal Mail - Sending a collection agency a validation request via the United States Postal Service is a simple way to request validation. When you do you must use certified mail return receipt requested. This will give you unequivocal proof that they received you letter. The only downside is they may not sign for your letter, but even then when it is returned to you you made a good faith effort to request it. Any contact after a returned unsigned for letter to a collection agency is a violation of Collection Agency Laws so make sure you save it.
- Courier Services - While more expensive than Certified Mail it will almost ensure that a collection agency receives your request.
Not only will they receive it and not have to sign it you will receive documentation from the courier service that they dropped it off. - Email - Sending your request via email is acceptable as well. Especially if they have an email address on their website. When you send a validation request via email make sure you print it out and keep it in your records. This will show the date and time that the validation request was sent.
Do not use form submissions on their website unless you know how to do a screen capture documenting the date and time you send the Validation Request - Fax - You can send a fax to the number listed on their website or collection letters. Once again make sure you have a way to document the fax transmission and maintain it in your records.
Let Bud Hibbs Tell you How to Back them down
Collection Agency Harassment: What the Debt Collector Doesn't Want You to Know
Amazon Price: (as of 10/11/2008)
Stop it!: A consumer's guide to effectively stopping collection agency harassment
Amazon Price: (as of 10/11/2008)
Dealing with Collection Agencies
- How to Deal With a Collection Agency
- Dealing with a collection agency is not a fun task for most. With the intimidating phone calls and threatening letters it is enough to terrify most anyone.
- Request Validation - Drive a Collection Agency Nuts
- If a collection agency is coming after you, protecting your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), may be as simple as writing a letter.
The legal grounds for requesting validation. - How to Write a Dispute Letter to a Collection Agency
- Writing a validation letter to a collection agency is very simple.
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Links from the Blogsphere Concerning Collection Agencies
- FBCS Collections Breaks the Law
- A consumer blog about holding FBCS Collections to task for breaking the law.
Also has a recording there of America's Dumbest Collection Agent. Amazingly funny. - Dedicated to Federal Bond and Collection's Dumb Collection Agent
- A special page dedicated to America's Dumbest Collection Agent.
