First, it’s crucial to get the name and address of the collection agency so you can send a debt verification request within 30 days of an initial contact from the agency. The verification request should ask for all details surrounding the debt, including amount owed, original creditor, proof it’s your debt and to cease contacting you.
If you still don’t recognize the debt, you can send a dispute letter within 30 days. If you do not send a dispute letter within 30 days, the collection agency can assume it’s a valid debt.