§1692g Validation of Debts

Summary

Debt collectors must mail you a written notice within five days after first contacting you about a debt, unless that information was already in the first contact or you paid. The notice must say how much you owe, who the current creditor is, that you have 30 days to dispute the debt or it will be treated as valid, that if you dispute in writing within 30 days they will get and mail you proof or a copy of a judgment, and that if you ask in writing within 30 days they will give the original creditor’s name and address (if different). If you send a written dispute or request within 30 days, the collector must stop collecting the disputed part until they mail you the verification, judgment, or original creditor info. Collectors may still do normal collection actions in the first 30 days unless you have disputed in writing, but those actions must not hide or contradict the notice about your rights. Not disputing cannot be used in court as proof you owe the debt. A court filing or certain tax, privacy, or data-breach notices (including title 26 and title V of the Gramm‑Leach‑Bliley Act) do not count as the first contact.