Home Checklists Got a letter from a debt collector? Your checklist Got a letter from a debt collector? Your checklist What to check and do before you pay anything or talk at length on the phone. Move quickly: your dispute window is limited.
How to use it Tick what you already have, then print or copy the list; your ticks are remembered in this browser. “Required” items are needed by law or by the process; “Recommended” and “Optional” ones help depending on your situation.
The letter itself and the envelope — note the date you received it Required Your window to dispute in writing is about 30 days; the notice should state the date it ends Check the details: collector's name, original creditor, account number, and the itemized amount Required Your own records: statements, the date of your last payment, any settlement letters Required In New York, most consumer credit lawsuits must be filed within three years — the dates matter A written dispute and request for verification, sent before the deadline by certified mail Required A timely written dispute generally requires the collector to pause collection until it verifies the debt Any court papers? Don't ignore them — answering a lawsuit is a separate, urgent step Required Ignoring a lawsuit can lead to a default judgment, garnished wages or a frozen bank account A log of every call: date, time, name of the caller, what was said Recommended Your free credit reports from all three bureaus Recommended To see who reports the debt and whether the details match Don't agree to pay, or give bank or card details, on a first call Recommended A payment plan you can't keep doesn't help; check the debt first Notes of calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., calls to your workplace, or threats Optional These may break debt collection rules and can be reported 0 of 9 checked Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
This checklist is general information, not legal advice. If a case is already in court or a deadline is close, talk to a lawyer or legal aid.