Method of Verification Credit Reporting

A collection agency is required to verify the information on a collection account upon request by the debtor. A debtor can request verification to confirm that he does owe the debt, to find out who the debt is owed to and to find out when the debt was incurred. Verification is often used in credit repair, in order to weed out collection accounts based on false information or inaccurate collection accounts. Junk debt collectors may attempt to collect on debts that aren't yours, or that have been paid off some time ago.

Instructions

1

Check the letter that the collection agency sent you regarding your alleged debt. If possible, look through your financial records to confirm whether or not the collection matches up with a previous account or debt.

2

Write a letter to the collection agency, specifically requesting verification of your debt. You do not need a specific template for your letter as long as you ask for verification. The collection agency is legally required to put the collection account in dispute until it has provided verification that the debt is yours and that it is the legal agent allowed to collect on the debt.

3

Send the letter certified mail so that you have a way to track the amount of time that it takes for the collection agency to respond. The collection agency has to respond and provide proof of your debt within 30 days of receiving your verification dispute letter or it must drop the collection.

4

Arrange payments or a payment plan with the collection agency if the debt is legitimately yours. If it is not, check your credit report to see if the collection agency removes the collection from your credit report. If it fails to do so, send another letter informing the company that the debt needs to be removed from your report, as it did not send sufficient proof of its validity.