It starts with a letter from Covington Credit that claims you owe money on a consumer debt that you thought was paid off months ago. Another letter follows and this time, the tone of the letter is much more aggressive than the tone used in the first letter.
Several days pass, before a representative from Covington Credit calls you at home. The representative says you have seven days to pay off the alleged debt or else you can expect to face a lawsuit filed in a civil court.
Fortunately, you are protected by a landmark federal consumer protection law enacted by the United States Congress in 1977. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), a debt collection agency like Covington Credit is not permitted to threaten you in any way, including the threat to take you to court over a delinquent credit card or personal loan account.
In addition, the FDCPA gives you the legal power to dispute the debt in question. The key is to know how to craft a convincing debt dispute letter.
The Keys to Writing an Effective Dispute Letter
Receiving a threatening letter from a third party debt collector can trigger stress and anxiety. Throw in a debt that you believe you do not have to pay, and stress can quickly turn to into anger that makes you do things you should not do.
One of the things you should not do is to send an emotionally charged debt dispute letter to Covington Credit. Emotionally charged language will only motivate the bill collector to come after you harder. You have to write a balanced debt dispute letter that lays out the debt dispute provision written into the FDCPA.
![Sample Dispute Letter To Covington Credit*]()
Example of a Convincing Debt Dispute Letter
Date
Your name
Address
Phone number
Credit account number
This letter is response to the letters you sent me regarding an alleged consumer debt that I owe. The letters were dated February 4, 2020 and February 12, 2020. I am letting you know that I have hired an FDCPA lawyer to contest the debt in question. Please be reminded that this letter is not a refusal to pay off the debt, but instead, the letter is an official document that contests the existence of the alleged debt.
My FDCPA attorney requests documentation that proves I owe the debt in question. We want to receive proof of the agreement made with the original creditor, as well as every bill that was allegedly sent to me. You must demonstrate the amount claimed to be owed is the correct amount as well. Make sure to send me a copy of the license that grants you the legal power in my state to collect outstanding consumer debts.
You have 30 days to comply with the debt validation provision written into the FDCPA.
Sincerely,
Your name
Your signature
Get Help from an FDCPA Lawyer
Although there are several reasons to dispute a consumer debt, you cannot expect to win your argument by fighting the good fight alone. Only by working with an experienced FDCPA lawyer can you expect to craft a neutral, but legally powerful debt dispute letter that places the ball in the legal court of Covington Credit. To get in touch with an consumer rights attorney, complete the Free Case Evaluation on this page.
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be constructed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Covington Credit or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
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