How to Write a Dispute Letter to a Collection Agency

Sometimes, you seem to get a debt letter out of nowhere. Usually, this is called "zombie debt" and it's something that you may or may not have paid in the past, but which your original creditor has sold to a collection agency. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you have the right to dispute the debt, by sending a message in writing to the agency. You may want to do this to verify the debt or to prove that you have already paid off this debt.

Instructions

1

Use a business letter format. In the top right corner, put your address and the date. On the next line, write the agency's address; line it up flush left. Use a colon instead of a comma after addressing the recipient, then write your letter as usual.

2

Reference the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act section 809(b) on validating debts. This section allows you to request that the agency validate that it owns the debt that it is trying to collect by telling you to whom you originally owed the debt and showing proof that the agency now owns the debt. Collections on the debt will stop until the company answers those two questions.

3

State that you understand your rights. In some cases, a collection agency may add several fees to your original debt. This is not legal. Tell the company that you understand your rights--you do not have to pay interest or fees and the company cannot attempt to collect on the debt without verifying it.

4

Provide proof that you did pay the debt if this is true. Enclose proof, such as a copy of your bank statement or a copy of the canceled check.

5

Include an account number, if listed on your collection letter. If the letter that you received had an account number printed on it, you should include that in your letter, to make it easier for the company to respond to your inquiry.

6

Sign the letter. Print your name underneath your signature.