Debt collection guides
Clear answers when collectors contact you
Understand the message, preserve the facts, and decide what needs your attention.
What to Do When a Debt Collector Contacts You
What to check, save, and do next when a debt collector calls or writes.
GuideWhat Is Debt Validation? Notice, Rights and Next Steps
Learn what debt validation means, what a validation notice must include, and how the 30-day dispute period works.
GuideHow to Dispute a Debt Collector’s Claim
A practical checklist for disputing a debt or amount you believe is wrong.
GuideHow to Stop Debt Collector Calls
Set contact preferences, document repeated calls, and preserve useful written communication.
GuideHow to Verify a Debt Collector Is Legitimate
Verify a debt collector before you pay: check the company, claimed debt, contact details, license information, and scam warning signs.
GuideWhen Can a Debt Collector Sue You?
Learn when a debt collector may sue, what affects the timing, and what to do immediately if you receive court papers.
GuideOld Debt and the Statute of Limitations
Why an old debt may still be collected and why a payment can change the analysis.
GuideA Debt Collector Is Contacting Me About Debt I Don’t Owe
How to challenge an unfamiliar, paid, duplicated, or incorrect debt.
GuideHow to Find Out If You Have Debt in Collections
Find collection accounts by checking your credit reports, mail, email, and creditor records—then verify each debt before paying.
GuideDebt Collection and Credit Reporting: What to Know
Learn when debt collection can appear on a credit report, how long it may remain, and how to dispute reporting errors.
Educational information only, not legal advice.