How to File a No Contract Dispute Against a Debt Collector

If you're dealing with a debt collector that you didn't sign a contract with, you're not alone. In fact, over one-quarter of Americans are dealing with third-party debt collectors at any given time.

However, if you didn't sign a contract with the agency, you may be wondering why you should have to pay them, and if you can get out of paying with a no contract debt collection dispute.

It can be difficult to get out of paying your debt, regardless of whether the debt is being collected by the agency you owe or a debt collector. It is possible, but you are likely going to need advice and other support to make sure that you get out of your debt the right way.

What Is a No Contract Dispute?

If you've done any research on resolving debt collection claims, you've probably heard of a no contract dispute. The basic idea behind this is that you can dispute a debt that you owe to a debt collector because you never signed a contract with the debt collector. However, that's not exactly how it works.

The truth is that while you didn't sign a contract with the debt collector, you did sign a contract with the hospital, doctor, or company that sold your debt to that debt collector. Therefore, even though your debt was sold from one party to another, you are still technically under a contract with the original company. This is why disputing a debt on your credit report with a no contract claim likely won't work.

How Do I Owe a Debt Collector if I Didn't Sign an Agreement with Them?

It seems unfair that you should have to pay a debt collector when you didn't sign any kind of agreement with them. In some cases, you may be the victim of an unfair debt collection request that you can dispute. However, debt collectors do have the right to pursue debt collection even if you didn't sign an agreement.

Debt collectors are required to provide you with certain validation information when pursuing you to collect a debt. Because debt collectors purchased your debt from another agency or company (the original creditor), you probably won't initially know what they're collecting the debt for. You can ask the collection agency to provide you with:

• How much debt you owe
• The name of the original creditor
• How to get the name of the original creditor
• What you should do if you think the debt doesn't belong to you

How Can I Dispute a Debt with a Debt Collection Agency?

If you don't believe that the debt collection agency has the right to collect this debt from you, you can dispute the debt. There are a few different ways you might be able to do this.

1. Ask for verification. The first step you should take when a debt collection agency contacts you is to ask for verification. The agency must then investigate your dispute and determine if the debt you owe is legitimate within 30 days. If they cannot verify it, they must delete the debt.
2. Dispute the debt. If you don't believe a debt is yours--even if you received some sort of verification--you can dispute it with the debt collection agency in the mail or online. Make sure to get identifying information for the debt collector calling you, ask for validation from the agency, and check with the original creditor. You can also report the debt collectors if they threaten you since threats are illegal.
3. Hire a lawyer. If you want to dispute a debt, you may want to hire a lawyer to help you make sure everything is in order. After you hire a lawyer, the debt collectors will be required to speak with the lawyers rather than with you if they want to discuss your debt.

Another resource is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). If a debt collector is harassing you or trying to collect a debt you don’t owe, report them here:

Sample Request for Validation

If you'd like to validate the information about your debt, you can send a letter to request validation. A sample might look like this:

Dear [Debt collector]:

I am responding to your request to collect a debt from me. You contacted me by [phone, email, etc.] on [date] about [specify debt information].

I need more information about this debt. Please send me:

1. The name, address, debt amount, and account number from the creditor to whom this debt is currently owed.
2. The name, address, debt amount, and account number from the creditor to whom this debt was initially owed, if the original creditor is different from the present creditor. Include any name by which I may know them if this may be different from their official name.
3. Verification and documentation that I owe this debt and am required to pay, preferably in the form of a written agreement I signed with the original creditor.
4. The name of another person if you are asking me to pay their debt, along with verification and documentation of why I should pay this debt on behalf of someone else.
5. The last billing statement sent to me from the creditor.
6. When you received this debt and how much it was at that time.
7. Any interest or fees that have accrued since that last billing statement, itemized and dated. Include legal justification for such added fees.
8. Any reductions, payments, or other changes that have been made to the amount owed.
9. When this debt became due and when it became delinquent.
10. The date the last payment was made on this account.
11. The statute of limitations for this debt and how you determined what that date was.
12. Your license to collect this debt as applicable to my state and/or your legal authority to collect this debt from a different state. Provide me with the name, address, and phone number of the state agency that issued your license.

I ask for this information to determine that I owe this debt, as I have some questions about its legitimacy. Please communicate with me openly regarding this debt and treat it as under dispute until I have received and reviewed the requested information.

In addition, please let me know if we can settle this debt for an amount less than that claimed on the account. If so, provide me with the amount and the date by which you want to receive this payment and fully resolve the debt for this account.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Sincerely,

[Your name]

How To Dispute a Debt Collection with DoNotPay

If you're interested in disputing a debt collection from a company that you haven't signed a contract with, DoNotPay can help you get started. All you need to do to begin the process is:

1. Search "debt collection" on DoNotPay.

2. Answer a series of questions about the debt collectors, including when you were contacted and how you were contacted, so we can determine if they have violated any debt collection laws.

3. Decide which course of action you want to take based on our guidance, such as filing a debt verification request, demanding for the collectors to stop contacting you, or reporting them to the CFPB.

And that's it! Once you've provided us with this information, DoNotPay will handle everything else. We'll send a letter to the correct agency and/or file a complaint with the appropriate agency to be sure you're not paying for a debt that isn't yours.

Other Ways DoNotPay Can Help

In addition to helping you dispute debt collection claims, DoNotPay can help you save money and resolve legal disputes in a variety of other ways. For example, we can help you:

• Appeal for financial aid
• Increase your credit limit
• Get help paying bills
• And more

If you want to solve debt collection disputes and other financial issues with DoNotPay, sign up today!