What to do if a debt collector contacts you
A debt collector may attempt to contact you in a variety of ways, including by phone, email, letter, text message or even through social media. During the initial contact from the collector, the only action you need to take is to get the name of the person you’re corresponding with and the company’s name, address and phone number.
How to tell if it’s a scam
It’s likely a debt collection scam if the person contacting you refuses to provide information such as their name, company name, phone number and address. It also might be a scam if they threaten you with criminal charges.
It’s critical to not make any payments at this time — even a small amount essentially acknowledges the debt and can keep you on the hook for the entire amount. You also shouldn’t make any promises of payment or ask for a payment plan.
Look out for a debt validation letter
A debt collector has five days from initial contact to send a debt validation letter, which provides information about the debt in writing. It’s vital to pay attention to this letter because it provides details about who the debt collector is and who you should contact.
According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), this letter should contain the following information:
- Name and address of the creditor
- Amount of debt
- Notice of the intent to collect a debt
- Your name and address
- Account number
- Itemized detailing of the debt
- How to reply if you feel the debt isn’t accurate or if you need to make the payment
- The end date for how many days you have to reply to the debt (should be 30 days)
» LEARN: What debt collectors can't do
How to dispute a debt with a debt collector
First, you’ll want to confirm the debt is valid. If it’s not, you’ll then send a dispute letter.
1. Send a debt verification letter
Whether you’ve received a debt validation letter from the debt collector yet or not, the first step you should take is sending your own debt verification letter within 30 days of initial contact. A debt verification letter is an inquiry you make to the debt collector confirming the validity of the debt and amount owed.
In this letter, you should request proof that you owe the debt and request that contact stop until proof is provided. You should also ask for the debt collector’s license number and if the debt collector is licensed to collect debts in your state.
Being cautious and requiring collection agencies to play by the formalized rules at every step is a good thing.”
You should send this letter by certified mail to the address you received when the debt collector initially contacted you. Keep in mind you must contact the debt collector with a written notice and not a phone call, otherwise it won’t stop the collection process.
“Being cautious and requiring collection agencies to play by the formalized rules at every step is a good thing,” said Daniel Cohen, a founding partner of Consumer Attorneys, a firm based in New York City.
2. Send a dispute letter
If the debt collector responds to the debt verification and you still don’t recognize the debt or the information is too vague, you should send a dispute letter by certified mail saying it doesn’t belong to you.
You can dispute a debt at any time, but you should send the dispute letter within 30 days of the debt collector’s validation letter. By not sending the letter within 30 days, the debt collector can assume it’s a valid debt and proceed with the collection attempt.
3. Wait for proof and keep records
Once the collector receives your letter, they’re required by law to stop contacting you for payment until they provide proof of the debt. You may receive a notification from the collection agency confirming they will stop correspondence for the time being. It’s also possible the collection attempt will end.
Also, keep careful records of all correspondence, including copies of letters you’ve sent and any information you have in your own records.
Next steps after sending a dispute letter
If you’re concerned about the debt getting reported to your credit report before the matter gets resolved, take the following steps:
Inform credit bureaus
You can send a letter to each of the three credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — informing them that the debt is in dispute. Meanwhile, keep an eye on your credit report and ensure nothing has been reported by the collection agency. If it has, you can follow the steps with each bureau to document a mistake and ask for removal.
Hire an attorney
If you feel you’re being harassed by the collection agency at any time, or if an agency moves forward with a lawsuit, then it’s likely time for you to hire an attorney.
» LEARN: How long does a collection stay on your credit report?
FAQ
Can you dispute a debt if it was sold to a collection agency?
Yes, you can dispute a debt if it was sold to a collection agency. The first major step is requesting verification of the debt in writing from the collection agency within 30 days of them contacting you. If requested through a debt verification letter and if received within the 30 days, the debt collection agency must provide proof the debt belongs to you.
What are valid reasons to dispute a debt?
Some valid reasons to dispute a debt are that the debt is a mistake, the debt collector can’t verify the debt or the debt is too old. Be sure you understand the statute of limitations on debt in your state if a collector is trying to collect on debt that’s too old.
What shouldn’t you say to a debt collector?
Generally, you should never say that the debt belongs to you or that you’ll pay it. You also shouldn’t provide your personal banking information. Your first step should always be to confirm that the debt is valid through a verification letter. From there, you can dispute the debt if necessary.
Bottom line
Dealing with the collections process can seem a bit daunting, but you do have rights for disputing a debt collection. It’s not unheard of for debt collectors to ask for payments, even if it’s not your debt, and debt collection scams are common.
The good news is that you can potentially derail the debt collection process by requesting verification and putting a stop to an erroneous collection. If you feel like you’re getting harassed by the debt collector, you can file a complaint with the CFPB or hire an attorney.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- Federal Trade Commission, “Debt Collection FAQs.” Accessed Feb. 6, 2026.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, “What Can I Do If a Debt Collector Contacts Me About a Debt I Already Paid or Don't Think I Owe?” Accessed Feb. 6, 2026.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, “Can a Debt Collector Contact Me Through Social Media?” Accessed Feb. 6, 2026.
