How to deal with Collections

 I've had to deal with collections twice. Both were mistakes, but something I still had to deal with.

The first one was when was lawn company did unwanted work on our lawn and the second was a dentist bill they auto sent to collections because the bill exceeded $300. 

You need to deal with these immediately.  First things to do is call the company the collections is for to get it resolved. If you need to pay a bill pay it. If it's like my first one, get a manager on the phone and get it in writing the issue is resolved.  Second is to send a letter to the collection company. This is very standard and professional.  There are variations of these to use as a template everywhere.  

<data>

Collectors Address

 

RE: <your name>

 Account # #####

 

Dear Collector,

I am writing in response to your letter dated <data>. I do not believe that I owe this debt or what you say I owe. The service provided by “company” was in error and balance has been remove from my account. 

Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Section 809(b), Validating Debts:

“If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or any copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector.”

I respectfully request that you provide me with the following:

1. The amount of the debt;

2. The name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;

3. Verification or copy of any judgment (if applicable);

4. Proof that you are licensed to collect debts in <state>;

5. Proof of the last payment made on the account.

 

I am asserting my rights under the federal and state Fair Debt Collection Practices Acts and the Fair Credit Reporting Act, including these rights:

• Because I have disputed this debt in writing within 30 days of receipt of your initial notice, you must obtain verification of the debt or a copy of the judgment against me and mail these items to me at your expense.

• You cannot add interest or fees except those allowed by the original contract or state law.

• Any attempt to collect this debt without validating it violates the FDCPA.

 

Also be advised that I am keeping accurate records of all correspondence from you and your company, including recording all phone calls, and I will not hesitate to report violations of the law to my State Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau.

I have disputed this debt. Therefore, until it is validated, your information concerning this debt is assumed to be inaccurate. Accordingly, if you have already reported this debt to any credit-reporting agency (CRA) or Credit Bureau (CB), then you must immediately inform them of my dispute with this debt. Reporting information that you know to be inaccurate or failing to report information correctly violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act § 1681s-2. Should you pursue a judgment without validating this debt, I will inform the judge and request that the case be dismissed based on your failure to comply with the FDCPA. Finally, if you do not own this debt, I demand that you immediately send a copy of this dispute letter to the original creditor so they are also aware that I dispute the debt. 

Sincerely,

<You name>

Address:<your address>

You probably wont here from the collectors after you send this letter and solve the issue with the company. If you do have a collection outstanding get it handled and cleanup as soon as possible. These can negatively effect your credit.