What is a Prove It Letter and How to Use It Effectively

A prove it letter is a powerful tool that consumers can use when disputing debts with debt collectors. This article will explain what a prove it letter is, when to use one, what to include, and how to make it as effective as possible.

What Is a Prove It Letter?

A prove it letter is a written request asking a debt collector to validate a debt they claim you owe Debt collectors are required by law to provide proof and details of any debts they try to collect. If they contact you demanding payment for a debt you don’t recognize or dispute, you can send them a prove it letter This puts the burden of proof back on the collector to validate the debt is truly yours and gives them a chance to fix any errors.

Prove it letters are sometimes called validation letters or verification letters. But they all serve the same purpose – to require the collector to prove their claim is valid before further collection efforts.

When Should You Send a Prove It Letter?

Here are common situations when sending a prove it letter is appropriate:

• A debt collector contacts you trying to collect on a debt you don’t recognize This could be because the original creditor sold the debt and you weren’t notified of the assignment

• You have no recollection of ever owing the specific debt amount stated.

• You already resolved or paid off the debt being claimed.

• You believe the debt may belong to someone else with a similar name

• There are mistakes in the collector’s information like wrong dates, account numbers, etc.

• You see a collections entry on your credit report that is unfamiliar or incorrect.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act gives you the right to request validation of any debts in collections. So don’t hesitate to send a prove it letter if you dispute what a collector claims you owe.

What to Include in Your Prove It Letter

Your letter should:

• Ask them to cease collections until providing proof. State they must stop collection efforts until they validate the debt as required by law.

• Request details & proof of the debt. Ask for the full name of the original creditor, account number, exact amount owed, explanation of the debt, and a copy of any judgements.

• Specify how to contact you. Give your preferred address, email, and phone number for them to send their response.

• State that you dispute the debt. Note that you are challenging the validity of this debt and expect verification before any further collection activities.

• Mention the FDCPA. Quote the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and their requirement to validate disputed debts.

• Request removal if invalid. Say that if they cannot validate the debt, you expect them to remove it from your credit reports.

• Set a deadline. Give them 30 days to respond as required by law before taking any further action.

• Send by certified mail. So you have delivery confirmation and recourse if they claim not to have received it.

Tips for an Effective Prove It Letter

Follow these tips to give your letter the best chance of getting results:

• Review sample prove it letters so you include all required elements.

• Keep it short, professional, and emotion-free. Stick to just the facts.

• Focus on a single debt if the collector referenced multiple ones. Send separate letters for each if needed.

• Only include your own disputes, not those of spouses or relatives.

• Send your initial request through certified mail with return receipt.

• Follow up if they don’t respond within 30 days. Send another letter or submit a complaint.

• Dispute the debt with credit bureaus if the collector won’t remove invalid entries after getting your letter.

• Seek help from a consumer lawyer if the collections agency violates the law.

Results to Expect After Sending Your Letter

Once the collections agency receives your properly formatted prove it letter, here is what should happen:

• They must stop collections until they have validated the debt. This includes phone calls, letters, credit bureau reports, legal filings, etc.

• Within 5 days of getting your letter, they need to inform credit bureaus that you have disputed the debt. This will block it from appearing on your reports until resolved.

• Within 30 days, they must send proof of the debt details if it is legitimate. Or have the invalid debt deleted if they can’t validate it.

• If they validate the debt, you can still negotiate a settlement or payment options if desired. But the ball is now in their court to prove its accuracy.

• If they ignore your letter or violate your rights, you can get damages, sue the collector, and/or report them to the FTC or CFPB.