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Verifying Collection Notices Without Exposing Personal Information

This guide presents selected U.S. government consumer education from CFPB. References to “we” or “us” in the source material refer to the issuing agency. Source dates and links appear below.

What information does a debt collector have to give me about a debt they’re trying to collect from me?

Under the debt collection rule, debt collectors have to provide you with certain information about your debt, known as validation information. Generally, this information is provided in a written notice sent as the initial communication to you or within five days of their first communication with you, and it may be sent by mail or electronically.

What information is required to be in the validation notice from a debt collector about my debt?

The information helps you recognize whether the debt is yours and, if not, how to dispute it.

  • A statement that the communication is from a debt collector
  • Your name and mailing information, along with the name and mailing information of the debt collector
  • The name of the creditor you owe the debt to
    • It is possible that more than one creditor will be listed
  • The account number associated with the debt (if any)
  • An itemization of the current amount of the debt that reflects interest, fees, payments, and credits since a particular date
  • The current amount of the debt when the notice is provided
  • Information you can use to reply to the debt collector, such as if you believe the debt is not yours or if the amount is wrong
  • An end date for a 30-day period when you can dispute the debt

You may see other information on your notice, but the information listed above generally must be included. If you think a debt collector failed to give you this information, you can submit a complaint with the CFPB.

Disputing a debt

Once you receive the debt validation information, you have 30 days to dispute the debt in writing. Failing to request verification in writing or within this time period can affect your ability to assert your rights under the debt collection rule.

Also, if you send the debt collector the written verification request or request for information about the original creditor within this 30-day period, the debt collector must pause collecting the amount of the debt you are disputing until they’ve adequately responded to your request.

If you’re being contacted by a debt collector, you have rights and protections under federal law, and the rights and protections apply to how and when they can contact you. Learn more about your debt collection protections.

Still having trouble with debt collection?

Companies can usually answer questions unique to your situation and more specific to the products and services they offer. If you have a complaint, tell us about your issue—we’ll forward your issue to the company, give you a tracking number, and keep you updated on the status of your complaint.

Learn how the complaint process works

What should I do when a debt collector contacts me?

If a debt collector contacts you, use the opportunity to find out about the debt, which will help determine if they’re legitimate and if you really owe it.

When a debt collector first contacts you about a debt, they are, in general, legally required to provide you with certain information about the debt during that initial communication or within five days of the initial communication. This validation information includes the name of the creditor, the amount you owe, and how to dispute the debt. If the debt collector doesn’t or can’t provide this information, it could be a scam. Never give sensitive financial information to the caller, at least not until you’ve confirmed they’re legitimate.

Also, if the debt collector is collecting a valid debt,avoiding or ignoring their call usually won’t make them go away – they may instead find other ways to collect the money from you, including by filing a lawsuit. A debt collector can also help you understand if the debt is yours and what your options are, even if you can’t pay right now.

Communicating with debt collectors

In addition to using the validation information to follow up with the debt collector, you can use these sample letters to communicate with them:

If you use any of these letters, it’s important to do so as soon as possible after the debt collector first contacts you, and to keep copies of any letters you send and any other communications. In certain situations, you only have 30 days after you’re contacted to ask for certain information, but even if more than 30 days pass, it’s still a good idea to ask for what you need.Note: These sample letters are not legal advice.

If it is not your debt or you already paid it, providing documentation can also help your dispute. Ask the debt collector for any evidence they have that indicates you are the correct debtor and what they are relying on to calculate the amount due. You can also notify the debt collector in writing to stop communicating with you.

You have protections against harassment

While talking with a debt collector can be helpful, it’s also important to know that you have protections against repetitious, excessive and threatening communications. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, debt collectors violate the law when they harass, oppress, or abuse you.

For example, if the debt collector is calling you at an inconvenient time or place, you have the right to ask the debt collector to call you at a more convenient time or place you specify.

Learn more about the laws that limit what debt collectors can say or do

If you're having an issue with debt collection, you can submit a complaint with the CFPB.

Should I share personal information with a debt collector?

Debt collectors may ask questions to verify your identity, but you should never provide sensitive or financial information, at least not until you’ve verified the debt and that it’s not a scam.

If you’re contacted by a debt collector, they may usually ask you for certain information to ensure they’re talking with the right person before they can start asking about the debt. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) generally limits who debt collectors can speak to about your debt, so they may ask questions to ensure they’re talking to the right person.

How to validate a debt collector’s legitimacy

Debt collectors are required to provide you with certain information when or soon after they first communicate with you, in a format usually called a debt collection validation notice. Usually provided electronically or in writing, the notice is meant to help you understand whether the debt is yours, and if not, how you can dispute it.

In addition, if you are speaking to the debt collector on the phone, you can also ask them to provide:

  • Their name
  • Company name
  • Company street address
  • Telephone number
  • Professional license number, if your state licenses debt collectors and requires disclosure of this number

Learn more about the information debt collectors are required to provide

Personal information legitimate debt collectors may request

The debt collector may ask you for personal information to verify your identity. This may include:

  • Your full name
  • Date of birth
  • Last four digits of your Social Security number
  • Past and/or current address

If you choose not to verify your identity by providing information, like your Social Security number, the debt collector will generally ask you for another form of identification, including:

  • Account number for the debt in question, if you know it
  • Other contact information, such as your current or previous address
  • Your phone number
  • One or more of your most recent transactions with amounts and dates

Again, it is your choice whether or not to provide the information requested.

How to keep your personal information safe

Don’t provide personal or sensitive financial information

Never give out or confirm personal or sensitive financial information – such as your bank account, credit card, or full Social Security number – unless you know the company or person you are talking with is a real debt collector.

If the debt collector is a scam, they could use this information to:

  • Charge your existing credit cards
  • Open new credit card or checking accounts
  • Write fraudulent checks
  • Take out loans in your name

Contact your creditor

If the debt is legitimate – but you think the collector may not be – contact your creditor about the calls. Share the information you have about the suspicious calls and find out who, if anyone, the creditor has authorized to collect the debt.

  • Report the call. Submit a complaint with the CFPB or get in touch with your state Attorney General's office with information about suspicious callers.
  • Stop speaking with the caller. If nothing else works and you believe the calls are fraudulent, send a letter demanding that the caller stop contacting you, and keep a copy for your files.

Learn the warning signs of a debt collection scam

If you're having trouble with a debt collector, you can submit a complaint with the CFPB.

Sources and publication details

The federal agency source text is U.S. government work in the public domain. Fynoptic selected, adapted, and formatted it for this guide. No agency endorsement is implied. Follow the linked sources for current program details and the rules applicable to your circumstances.

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