Mailing Instructions For Disputing Debt Collections

You need to send letters to creditors and collectors and would like to maintain accurate records of your actions. Below are mailing instructions for disputing debt collections. Or make it simple and get professional assistance from Attorneys For Consumers in your state to handle that debt collector for you if you believe you are a victim of unfair or illegal debt collection tactics, want help settling your debt, or just want help

Mailing Instructions For Disputing Debt Collections

General Instructions

1. Preparing Documents to Fax and Mail
2. Mailing Instructions
3. Maintaining Proof of Your Actions

Feel free to copy and paste the information below into your word processor.

General Instructions

It is very important to keep copies of everything when communicating with creditors, debt collectors, credit reporting agencies and credit repair agencies. This means keeping copies and records of all correspondence sent and received . . . even the envelopes!

Should the creditor, debt collector, or credit reporting or repair agency violate the law, you will have the necessary documentation to prove it, and perhaps sue them in civil court. If you encounter difficulty and need to hire a lawyer or file a formal complaint, accurate records are needed to support your case.

It is recommended that you send a fax and also send a certified copy via the U.S. mail, as well as standard first class mail with proof of mailing [“certificate of mailing”]. This is necessary because they may not accept your certified mail, or deny receipt of the fax, but with the standard first class mail, you have gone the extra mile, and can prove it if necessary.

Print the outline below and use it as a checklist when preparing and mailing your letters.

Feel free to copy and paste the text of the letter below into your word processor.

Preparing Documents to Fax and Mail

Step 1: Write the Letter (initial or follow-up dispute, creditor’s agreement, or free credit report request etc.). Consider hand writing your letter but if you type it, be sure to sign it and send the original to avoid it looking like a form letter.

Step 2: Sign and date all letters in black ink!

Step 3: Make 2 copies of your signed letter, and 2 copies of any attachments.

Step 4: Fax the letter and all attachments (keep the fax confirmation sheet for your records)

Step 5: Staple the original attachments to a copy of your letter, and save for your files.

Send original letters but never send original receipts or other original documents!

Step 6: Properly address two envelopes, with the correct return address but, do not put stamps on them!

Step 7: Staple one set of attachment copies to your original letter, and place in envelope #1.

Step 8: Staple one set of attachment copies to a copy of your original letter, and place in envelope #2.

Step 9:Take both letters to the Post Office and follow the mailing instructions.

Mailing Instructions

Envelope # 1

Go to the post office and send it by certified mail with return-receipt requested then, take the cash receipt stamped with the amount and date and when your certified return receipt arrives via the mail, save both of these in a file marked “Credit Disputes”.

Envelope #2

Go to the post office and have them send it by 1st class mail using a “certificate of mailing” (proof that it was mailed). Keep the dated/stamped cash receipt and ask for a dated/stamped “certificate of mailing” (small extra fee) receipt, then save both of these in a file marked “Credit Disputes”.

Maintaining Proof of Your Actions

You should have the following items as proof for each letter you send:

1. A copy of the creditor, debt collector, or credit reporting agency letter;
2. The envelope that the documents in number 1 came in;
3. A copy of your signed letter with attachments stapled to it;
4. A fax confirmation sheet
5. A dated/stamped cash receipt from the post office (envelope #1)
6. A return-receipt, after it arrives in the mail (envelope #1)
7. A “certificate of mailing” receipt (envelope #2 -first-class letter )
8. A cash receipt for the “certificate of mailing” (envelope #2)

Place all of these in a folder marked “Credit Disputes” and file away in a safe place for at least 15 years. Check the Statue of Limitations to see if you should keep the records longer!