Can a debt collector contact me if I’m a victim of identity theft?
Yes, a debt collector can contact you if you are a victim of identity theft in Washington. However, they must follow certain guidelines set forth by the state. Debt collectors cannot make false statements or use deceptive practices when attempting to collect a debt. Furthermore, debt collectors cannot contact you more than once in any seven-day period, or at an unreasonable time or place. If you are a victim of identity theft and you receive a letter from a debt collector, you should check to make sure that the debt collector is licensed in Washington. If they are not a licensed debt collector, you should report the debt collector to the Washington Department of Financial Institutions. You also have the right to dispute the debt with the collector. You can request validation of the debt, or dispute the accuracy or amount of the debt. If you dispute the debt, it must be provided by the collector within 45 days. If the debt collector continues to contact you after you dispute the debt, or is making contact with you more than once in a seven-day period, then you should contact the Washington State Attorney General’s Office for assistance. The Attorney General’s Office can help you with filing a complaint against the debt collector.
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