Find out who sent the notice.

Where did the debt collection notice come from?

Debt collection notices can come from original creditors, third-party debt collectors, or debt buyers. Here's the difference:

• An original creditor is the company that provides the initial credit or a loan. They may send a debt collection notice when trying to collect payment on a past-due account. For example, a furniture company may send someone a collection notice if they missed payments for a couch they purchased on credit. 

• A third-party debt collector is hired by other companies or businesses (such as the original creditor) to collect debts on their behalf. 

• A debt buyer purchases debt from businesses or companies and then attempts to collect that debt. 

Make sure it is your debt. 

What information is required to be on a debt collection notice?

Regardless of who sent it, all debt collectors are legally required to provide certain information about the money you owe on the collection notices they send. This information is important because it helps you understand if the debt is yours, what to do if you think the notice is incorrect, and how much time you have to respond.

The following information must be included on debt collection notices:

• A statement saying the notice is from a debt collector

• Your name and address

• The name and address of the debt collector

• The name of the original creditor(s) you owe the debt to

• The amount you owe at the time the notice was sent

• Instructions for how to reply if you want more details, if you think the amount owed is wrong, or if you don't think you owe the debt

• The last day you can reply if you choose to verify or dispute the information on the debt collection notice

Did the debt collector fail to include any of the above information? It could be a scam. File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Determine your next steps.

If you need to reply, note the deadline to do so.

Before you go any further, remember you have rights. Federal and state laws limit what debt collectors can do when they contact people to collect money. These laws are designed to protect consumers like you from unfair debt collection practices. 

Once you get a debt collection notice, you have 30 days to write back if you want to dispute or verify the debt. The notice needs to state when this 30-day period ends. If you don't respond in time, it could be more difficult to challenge the debt later. 

If you don't believe you owe the debt… 

You can dispute all or part of a debt if you don't think you owe it:

• Use the contact information on the collection notice to reply to the debt collector. 

• Request the name of the company, service, or business where the debt originally came from if it's different from the debt collector who contacted you.

• Include the date when you received the collection notice and any information they sent about the debt.

If you already paid the debt…

• Confirm that the required information is on the debt collection notice to make sure it is not a scam. A real debt collector should be able to tell you detailed information about their company and the debt you owe.
• Once you are sure the debt collector is legitimate, you can reply to the notice and send any documents and other materials to show proof that you paid the debt, including:

  • Credit card statements

  • Bank statements

  • Copies of emails or letters about settling the debt

• Keep copies of any physical (letters, documents, receipts) and virtual (emails, screenshots) materials that you send to a debt collector when disputing your debt. 

When you should consider NOT replying to a debt collection notice?

In general, it’s not good to ignore a legitimate debt collection notice. Doing so can potentially damage your credit score or put you at risk of having the debt automatically taken from your earnings or bank account.

However, it may be best to avoid replying to a debt collection notice if…

• You think the debt collection notice is a scam. If this is the case, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 

• You replied to the debt collector to dispute the debt within the 30-day reply window, but they have not provided you proof of the debt. When a debt is disputed in the 30-day reply window, debt collectors must stop all collection activities until they provide information proving the debt is legitimate and accurate. However, they also don't actually have to send verification, they can just cease debt collection instead.

• You believe the debt is too old. There is a limit on the amount of time certain debts can be collected. In Oregon, most debts must be collected within six years. If a debt is too old, it is against the law for debt collectors to sue you in an effort to collect payment. Replying to a debt collection notice on a debt that is older than six years could "reset the clock," meaning you could forced to repay a debt that is technically no longer valid or collectable.

Negotiating with debt collectors is not easy or straightforward. Debt collectors can seem to have all the power, and discussing financial difficulties may feel uncomfortable. Remember that you have rights and options. Planning, practicing, asking questions for clarity, and knowing where to file a complaint if debt collectors violate your rights are key to building confidence and successfully navigating debt collection.

This article references information from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Oregon Department of Justice, Consumer Protection Division.