If a debt collector contacts me, am I required to pay the debt?

In California, debt collectors are allowed to contact you if you owe a debt. However, whether or not you are required to pay the debt depends on the specific laws of California. Generally speaking, if the debt is valid and the creditor has the right to collect payment, the debt must be paid. If a debt collector contacts you, they must provide you with certain information about the debt. This includes the name of the creditor and the amount owed. The debt collector must also tell you that you have the right to dispute the debt, and that if you dispute the debt, the collector must provide written proof that it is valid. If you do not believe the debt is valid, you can send the debt collector a written letter asking them to prove that it is valid. The debt collector must then provide you with official paperwork that shows the debt is valid before you are legally required to pay it. If the debt is valid, there are several options you can take in order to repay it. These include making a payment plan with the debt collector, negotiating a settlement, or paying the full amount in a single payment. No matter what, you should never agree to pay a debt without being sure it is valid first. If you believe the debt is not valid, be sure to dispute it with the debt collector and ask for written proof of the debt.

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If a debt collector contacts me, am I required to pay the debt?

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