Dispute the debt and ask for proof (debt validation) — English letter template

Use this if you don’t recognize the debt or the amount looks wrong. Send it by the date in the notice, by certified mail, and keep a copy. The collector must stop collecting until it sends you proof.

What the letter says

I dispute this debt. Please send me proof: the original creditor, the amount and how you worked it out, and your right to collect it. Please stop collecting until you send it.

The letter in English

Fill in the parts in [brackets], print, sign and send it by post. Keep a copy.

[Your full name]
[Your street address]
[City, state or province, postal code]

[Name of the agency or company]
[Address from the letter]

[City], [MM/DD/YYYY]

Re: Dispute of debt and request for validation

Dear Sir or Madam,

I received your letter dated [MM/DD/YYYY] about a debt of [amount].

I dispute this debt. Please send me verification of the debt, including:
- the name and address of the original creditor,
- the amount you say I owe and how you calculated it,
- proof that you have the right to collect it.

Please stop collecting this debt until you send me this information.

This letter is not an admission that I owe this debt.

Sincerely,


[Signature]
[Your full name]

When you check your own letter with Briefly, it fills in the date, reference numbers and amounts for you.