You received a collection notice. Your heart rate spiked. You are worried about your credit score and your bank account.
Don’t panic. And do not pay a dime yet.
Under federal law (the FDCPA), you have the right to force debt collectors to prove the debt is real before you pay. You do this by sending a Debt Validation Letter.
If they can’t find the paperwork (and they often can’t), they legally have to stop calling you. They might even erase the debt entirely.
Use the free templates below to fight back.
Option 1: The “Copy & Paste” Text Template
If you want to write this quickly in Google Docs or Microsoft Word, just copy the text below. Fill in the bracketed information [like this] and print it out.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Date]
[Debt Collector’s Name]
[Debt Collector’s Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Re: Account Number [Insert Account Number if available]
Dear [Debt Collector Name],
I am writing in response to your communication on [Date] regarding the alleged debt. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Section 809(b), I am requesting validation of this debt.
Please provide me with the following information:
- The amount of the debt;
- The name of the original creditor;
- Documentation proving that I have a legal obligation to pay this debt;
- Verification that the debt is within the statute of limitations.
I would like to remind you that until this debt is validated, all collection activities must cease. This request is not an acknowledgment of the debt, but a statement of my rights to dispute it until it is properly validated.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I expect your response within the legally mandated timeframe.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Option 2: Download PDF Samples
Want to see what a professional letter looks like? We have prepared two versions. You can download these PDFs to see the proper formatting.
Note: These are PDF samples. To edit them, you can use a PDF-to-Word converter or simply copy the text from Option 1 above.
Level 1: The Standard Letter
Best for: First-time contact. You aren’t sure if the debt is real or fake.
This letter is polite but firm. It asserts your rights without starting a war.
Level 2: The Aggressive Dispute
Best for: Old debts, rude collectors, or if you suspect a scam.
This letter demands their license number, bond info, and contract history. It tells them to back off or face legal complaints.
Important: Have You Already Been Sued?
⚠️ STOP and READ: If you received a “Summons and Complaint” from a court, a Validation Letter is NOT enough.
Sending a letter to the collector will not stop a lawsuit. You must file a formal legal Answer with the court within 14–30 days. If you don’t, you lose automatically.
How to Send Your Letter (The Right Way)
Writing the letter is only half the battle. How you send it matters even more.
Step 1: The 30-Day Rule
You should send this letter within 30 days of the first time the collector contacted you. If you do this, federal law requires them to pause all collection efforts until they provide proof.
Missed the deadline? Send it anyway. It’s less powerful, but it still signals that you are fighting back.
Step 2: Do Not Email It
Email is convenient. It is also useless in court. A debt collector can claim your email went to spam. You need physical proof.
Step 3: Use Certified Mail
Go to the post office (USPS). Ask to send your letter via Certified Mail with Return Receipt Requested.
- It costs about $7–$8.
- You will get a tracking number.
- You will get a green postcard (the receipt) signed by someone at the collection agency.
Keep that green receipt forever. It is your “Golden Ticket” if they ever try to sue you later.
What Happens Next?
After you mail the letter, one of three things will happen:
- Silence: They cannot find the proof, so they stop calling. You win.
- Validation: They mail you documents proving the debt. You can then decide to settle or fight further.
- Lawsuit: They decide to sue you.
If they choose option #3, do not panic. We can help you file your response quickly and affordably.