The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says a first contact from a debt collector is a chance to learn about the debt and whether it is yours. In general, the collector must give validation information during that first communication or within five days: the creditor’s name, the amount owed and how to dispute it. If the collector cannot or will not provide it, the CFPB says it could be a scam, and you should not give sensitive financial information to the caller until you confirm they are legitimate.
The agency also says that if the debt is valid, ignoring calls usually will not make the collector go away; they may look for other ways to collect, including a lawsuit.
The CFPB offers sample letters for saying you do not owe the debt, asking for more information, asking the collector to stop contacting you, asking them to contact you only through your lawyer, and specifying how they may contact you. Use them as soon as possible and keep copies of everything. In some situations you have only 30 days after contact to ask for certain information, but the CFPB says it is still worth asking after that. If it is not your debt or you already paid it, documentation helps.
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, collectors violate the law when they harass, oppress or abuse you. You can ask them to call at a more convenient time or place. Complaints can be filed with the CFPB. The sample letters are not legal advice.