Sent to collections: what to do

Have this ready

• collection letter
• proof of payment or dispute
• credit report

Steps for any company

1. Ask the collector in writing to validate the debt within the deadline in the collection notice.

2. Dispute wrong credit report entries with each credit bureau that shows them.

3. Send the original company your proof and ask it to recall the debt.

A company playbook below replaces these generic steps with the company’s own forms, phone numbers and deadlines.

Company playbooks (13)

Credit reporting agencies

• EquifaxDispute a wrong collection account with Equifax and ask the debt collector in writing for validation.
• ExperianDispute a wrong collection account with Experian and ask the debt collector in writing for validation.
• TransUnionDispute a wrong collection account with TransUnion and ask the debt collector in writing for validation.

Debt collectors and debt buyers

• Convergent Outsourcing (now Transworld Systems)Check which company now holds the account, then dispute in writing at the address on the validation notice.
• Jefferson CapitalDispute in writing at the address on the validation notice before the validation period ends.
• LVNV Funding (serviced by Resurgent Capital Services)Dispute in writing to Resurgent within the validation period; collection must pause until it sends verification.
• Midland Credit Management (Encore Capital Group)Dispute in writing before the validation period in the notice ends; Midland must pause collection until it sends verification.
• Portfolio Recovery Associates (PRA)Dispute in writing before the validation period ends and ask for verification; PRA must pause collection until it answers.

Federal student loan servicers

• AidvantageCredit reporting of an Aidvantage loan, or a loan that went into default.
• CRICredit reporting of a CRI loan, or a loan that went into default.
• Edfinancial ServicesCredit reporting of an Edfinancial loan, or a loan that went into default.
• MOHELACredit reporting of a late MOHELA loan, or a loan that went into default.
• NelnetCredit reporting of a Nelnet loan, or a loan that went into default.