What is a debt collector’s duty to disclose?
In Washington, debt collectors have a legal duty to disclose certain information to consumers. This duty is outlined in the state’s consumer debt defense law. A debt collector must disclose their identity when they contact a consumer. The collector must also make it clear that the purpose of their communication is to collect a debt. When making contact, the debt collector is obligated to inform the consumer of their right to dispute the debt or request validation of the debt. The consumer also has the right to stop communication from the debt collector, and the collector must inform the consumer of this right. The collector is also required to inform the consumer of the name and address of the original creditor and provide a statement that the consumer may have additional rights in Washington. If the consumer requests for the debt to be validated, the debt collector has 30 days to provide a verification of the debt. The debt collector must provide the consumer with the amount of the debt, the date the debt was incurred, and the name of the original creditor. After the debt is validated, the debt collector must provide the consumer with a notice of their right to dispute the debt. The consumer debt defense law in Washington outlines the duties of debt collectors to provide consumers with the information they require. This ensures that consumers are aware of their rights and obligations when it comes to debt collection.
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