Q: How can I find out if someone calling to collect on a debt is legitimate?
I requested a letter of validation over the phone. They sent me an email, but it doesn't have a physical address for the collector on it. Things just seem a little off. They are collecting on an old payday/online loan, the lender wasn't licensed to lend in my state, does that void the contract? They also say I owe over twice what the original loan amount was and there were payments made on it.
A:
You are right to be wary about debt collectors. There are many unscrupulous and downright fraudulent collectors out there.
Unfortunately there is database of debts out there. If you believe that you legitimately owe this debt and they are the legitimate holders of that debt, by all means feel free to pay it. However, if you are requesting verification that they hold the debt and they are neither providing any documentation or physical address, you are right to be skeptical. If they cannot provide evidence that they are the debt holder, you may want to hold off and investigate further.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
