What happens if I dispute a debt with the credit bureau?

If you dispute a debt with the credit bureau in Pennsylvania, you are protected under Pennsylvania debt collection laws. The Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law states that a debt collector must stop all collection attempts until they can verify the accuracy of the debt. The law also states that a debt collector must mail you a debt validation notice within five days of first contacting you about a debt. The validation notice must include the name of the original creditor, how much you owe, and your right to dispute the debt. After receiving the validation notice, you have 30 days to respond and provide proof that the debt is incorrect or file a dispute. If the debt collector is unable to verify the debt, it must be removed from your credit report. You can also demand a written clarification of the debt if it remains on your credit report. If you do not receive a written response, the debt has to be removed from your credit report. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) also provides resources for disputing a debt with a credit bureau. The CFPB website provides information about how to dispute a debt online, over the phone, and through the mail. It also provides sample letters you can use to dispute a debt with a credit bureau.

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What happens if I dispute a debt with the credit bureau?

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