Legal Question in Consumer Law in Virginia

Debt validation

A collection agency has reported that I owe $163.00 for a debt I believe is not valid. Original creditor who sold debt to collection agency was Columbia House/BMG. I have written the collection agency to verify this debt and all they came back with was an account number, creditor address and the amount I owe. Is this all that is required to legally validate debt by a collection agency? Will this suffice for the consumer reporting agencies as validated debt? This supposed debt was back in 2003 when I was overseas in Germany from 2001-2005. The company BMG never sent a letter back then stating I owe them any money. I got the notice in June 2008 from the collection agency. Please advise next step. thanks.


Asked on 9/01/08, 12:06 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Debt validation

No, you should reject such a purported validation of this debt and inform the collection outfit in writing of this fact and that you intend to exercise all of your rights under the Fair Debt Reporting Act as well as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and will hold them responsible for any reporting of this disputed debt to any of the major credit reporting agencies.

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Answered on 9/02/08, 10:59 pm
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Debt validation

Correction: Prior answer should read Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

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Answered on 9/03/08, 7:37 am


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