Sample Debt Collection Letters and Oklahoma Collection Laws

There are many collection firms that play by the rules and treat consumers fairly, but those that do not can cause financial harm to consumers and undermine the financial marketplace. Both Louisiana Collection Laws and Oklahoma Collection Laws allow banks and other creditors to sell their debt to third parties. Those third-party debt buyers may collect the debt themselves or sell it off again for collection. Third party debt collectors are legally required to refrain from committing unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices.

Are you looking for a FDCPA Validation Letter Template? Sometimes referred to as a Validation Request Letter, we have linked Debt Collection Letters from the CPFB below. These letters may be downloaded and used for free, but their use by you does not constitute legal advice from us.

Below are 5 sample debt collection letters, including a debt Validation Letter Template that consumers can consider using when corresponding with third party debt collectors. These letters were drafted by the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau in order to assist consumers get valuable information about claims being made against them or protect themselves from inappropriate or unwanted collection activities.

IMPORTANT: We recommend that always make a copy of the letter before sending it and request delivery confirmation from the post office when you send it.  That way you can prove what the debt collector received and have evidence of wrongdoing if the debt collector doesn’t follow the law.

Debt Collection Letters

The letters address the following situations when the consumer:

Validation Letter Template:

The first letter is a Validation Letter Template for consumers who want more information about a debt the collector has told them that they owe. The letter states that the consumer is disputing the charges until the debt collector answers specific questions about what is owed. This letter may be useful, for example, for a consumer who may not immediately recognize the debt as their own or for those who want to find out more about the debt before they pay it.  After you send this letter, if a debt collector is reporting the debt to the credit bureaus, they must update your credit report with “DISPUTED BY CONSUMER”.  If they do not, then contact us about filing a lawsuit against the debt collector.
Download the “more information” letter

Wants to dispute the debt and for the debt collector to prove responsibility or stop communication:

This letter tells the collector that the consumer is disputing the debt and instructs the debt collector to stop contacting the consumer until they provide evidence that the consumer is responsible for that debt. For example, consumers who do not want to discuss the debt until they have additional information verifying the debt might use this template. Important Tip: After you send this letter, if a debt collector is reporting the debt to the credit bureaus, they must update your credit report with “DISPUTED BY CONSUMER”.  Check your credit reports at www.annualcreditreport.com about 45 days after you send this letter. If they do not, then contact us about filing a lawsuit against the debt collector.
Download the “dispute and proof” letter

Wants to restrict how and when a debt collector can contact them:

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibits debt collectors from contacting a consumer about a debt at a time or place they should know is inconvenient. With this letter, the consumer is able to tell the debt collector how they would like to be contacted. This may be a useful option for a consumer who wants to work with a collector to resolve their debt. Important Tip: After you send this letter, if a debt collector is reporting the debt to the credit bureaus, they must update your credit report with “DISPUTED BY CONSUMER”.  Check your credit reports at www.annualcreditreport.com about 45 days after you send this letter. If they do not, then contact us about filing a lawsuit against the debt collector.
Download the “contact restriction” letter

Has hired a lawyer:

If a consumer has hired a lawyer, generally, the debt collector should be contacting the lawyer instead of the consumer. This letter template provides a way for the consumer to give the debt collector the lawyer’s information and instruct the collector to contact only the lawyer.
Download the “hired a lawyer” letter

Stop calling me! Cease and Desist:

Consumers have the right to tell a debt collector to stop all communication. It is important, however, to note that stopping contact from a debt collector does not cancel the debt or prohibit the collector from potentially pursuing other remedies, such as filing a lawsuit.  Instead of using this template, you can  just simply write them a handwritten letter, identifying your account number, and state “I refuse to pay this debt.” Be sure to make a copy of the letter before you send it, and send it with delivery confirmation.
Download the “stop contact” letter

We hope that you find the CPFB’s Debt Collection Letters above helpful. The Validation Letter Template is good, much better than the ones floating around the internet previously. Oklahoma Collection Laws and Louisiana Collection Laws provide consumers with a few additional rights. Contact our office now to speak with a New Orleans debt attorney or a Tulsa debt attorney for a free consultations how we can help you.