 TITLE: How to Deal With Debt Collectors CONTENT: Make Sure the Debt Is Valid\n---------------------------\nWithin five days of contacting you about a debt, the collector should have sent you a written validation notice spelling out how much money you owe, the name of the creditor, and how to proceed if you think the debt is wrong. If you've already paid or believe the debt is in error, ask the collector to provide evidence that you owe the money by sending a \"debt validation letter.\" Specify that you want proof that the debt is valid and within the statute of limitations for your state. If you send it within 30 days of receiving the validation notice, the collector must send you written verification before restarting collection action. Without that, it shouldn't be on your credit report any longer, so if it is, dispute it with the credit reporting agency. END