By sending your debt validation letter within 30 days, you’re asking for this additional documentation, and the agency must stop collection activity while it works to validate your debt.

Once you receive a debt validation letter, you have 30 days to dispute the debt. skynesher/Getty Updated Mar 25, 2025, 2:51 PM PT ...

2. You don’t recognize the debt If you do not recognize the debt, verify that it is real and belongs to you. You may still owe a debt and simply not recognize it.

Debt collectors are required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) to mail a debt validation letter with information regarding the debt they want to collect from you.