Validation of Debts
A debt collector must provide the consumer with certain basic information. If that information was not in the initial communication and if the consumer has not paid the debt five days after the initial communication, all of the following information must be sent to the consumer in written form:
- The amount of the debt
- The name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed
- Notice that the consumer has thirty days to dispute the debt before it is assumed to be valid
- Notice that upon such written dispute, the debt collector will send the consumer a verification of the debt or a copy of any judgment
- If the original creditor is different from the current creditor, notice that if the consumer makes a written request for the name and address of the original creditor within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide that information
If, within the thirty-day period, the consumer disputes in writing any portion of the debt or requests the name and address of the original creditor, the collector must stop all collection efforts until he or she mails the consumer a copy of a judgment or verification of the debt, or the name and address of the original creditor, as applicable.
