How to Write to Collection Agencies

Depending on your debt situation, you may find it necessary to write to a collection agency. When you communicate in writing, you have the opportunity to maintain a record of your correspondence that may prove to be vital if you, or the collection agency, choose to sue each other in the future. Verbal agreements do not hold up as well in court as written agreements. However, you must take special precautions when writing to a collection agency to ensure that you do not accidentally provide information that could one day be used to legally incriminate you.

Instructions

1

Decide what type of letter you plan to send to the collection agency. You can offer a debt settlement, request a debt validation, or demand that the collection agency stop contacting you.

2

Research the type of letter you plan to write before you begin. This will teach you what you can and cannot include. You are entitled to make certain legal demands, such as requesting proof of the agency's authorization to collect the debt, requesting a copy of the agency's collection license for your state, or demanding proof that you owe the debt.

3

Type your letter. Include only your first and last name and the account number for the debt. It is not necessary to give the collection agency your Social Security number or middle initial and it could be dangerous. The collection agency is able to use extra identifying information against you to validate the debt or report the debt to the credit bureaus.

4

Admit no prior knowledge of the debt. Even if you are sending a debt settlement offer, do not admit fault for the debt. Payment of a debt is not considered a legal admission of guilt. Your admission in writing can be used against you in court if the collection agency ever sues you.

5

Type your signature rather than physically signing the letter. A signature can easily be pulled from one document and transferred to another. Although this practice is illegal, it is sometimes difficult, if not impossible, to prove in court.

6

Mail your letter with a certified return receipt requested. This step will require a collection agency representative to sign for your letter and proof of the signature will then be mailed to you. This action prevents the collection agency from ever making the claim that your letter was not received.