The difference is direction: Debt validation is what the collector sends to you. Debt verification is what you send to the collector. The legal obligation is theirs: You do not have to prove you do not owe the debt. They have to prove that you do. The trap to avoid: Collectors often use the terms … Read more
Attorneys can legally collect debts, but a debt collector cannot falsely claim to be an attorney or imply a lawyer has reviewed your file if they have not. Sending a “meaningless attorney letter” where a lawyer’s name is stamped on a mass mailing without actual legal review is a violation of federal law. If a … Read more
A debt collector threatening a lawsuit without the actual intent or legal ability to file one is committing a federal violation under the FDCPA. Lawsuit threats are often a bluff for small balances (under $1,000) or very old debt, driven by the fact that court costs exceed the potential recovery. Threats are usually real when … Read more