Law Office of Craig Jordan
990 S. Sherman
Richardson, Texas 75081
(214) 855-9355
(214) 855-9389 (fax)
craig@warybuyer.com
Example Letter to Debt Collector Disputing a Debt
Use this letter when you have an honest dispute over the debt. Be sure to include an explanation of the dispute.
Advising the debt collector in writing that you dispute the debt will require the debt collector to report to any credit reporting agency that the debt is disputed. In some credit scoring systems, disputed debts do not hurt your score as much as undisputed debts. Remember to be honest and polite. Don't make up a phony dispute. If you have to sue, you will be made to look like a liar in front of the jury and your case will go right down the drain.
May 4, 2002 Via Certified Mail, No. 8978 3245 3999 3876 2329
Debt Collector Address City, State Zip
Re: Sears Credit Card Account No. 9898989, Your Account No. 43098
I am writing to dispute the amount you claim is due on this account. You are trying to collect $250.34 from me that I have already paid. The actual balance on this account is zero, as I paid off the account in a timely fashion and requested that it be closed in October of 1999.
I have enclosed a copy of my statements from October and November of 1999, the letter requesting that my account be closed, and the letter from Sears confirming the closing of my account. The October 1999 statement shows a balance due of $250.34. The November 1999 statement shows that a payment in that amount was received on October 22, 1999 and shows a balance of zero. My letter requesting that the account be closed is dated October 15, 1999. The letter from Sears confirms that the account was closed at my request on November 21, 1999 with a zero balance.
I am requesting that you correct your records to indicate that I do not owe anything on this account. If you are collecting this account on behalf of someone else, I am asking that you provide them with a copy of this letter.
Sincerely
Jane Q. Consumer