How do I know if a debt collector is legitimate?

If you live in Washington and suspect that a debt collector may not be legitimate, you should determine your rights under the Collection Defense Law. This law protects debtors from being harassed or threatened by debt collectors. The first thing to do is to ask the debt collector for evidence of the debt they claim you owe. Legitimate debt collectors will be able to provide a copy of the original debt agreement and other documents that verify the debt. If the debt is legitimate, the debt collector should also be able to provide you with their license numbers and the name of the agency they are working for. This information should be included in the initial contact with the debt collector. If the debt collector is legitimate, they will also provide you with information on how the debt should be paid. Legitimate debt collectors will also provide you information about the consequences of not paying the debt. If you suspect the debt collector may not be legitimate, you should contact your local consumer protection agency. It is illegal for debt collectors to use deceptive or abusive tactics to collect a debt. If you have been subjected to such tactics, contact the Washington State Office of the Attorney General to file a complaint. In summary, there are several ways to determine if a debt collector is legitimate. Legitimate debt collectors will be able to provide evidence of the debt, license numbers, information on how to pay the debt, and consequences of not paying it. If a debt collector is not able to provide you with all of this information, they are likely not legitimate and you should contact your local consumer protection agency.

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How do I know if a debt collector is legitimate?

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