It starts with a phone call that catches you by surprise. A debt collection agency such as Gatestone & Co Inc. has contacted you about the existence of an outstanding credit card or personal loan account.
A few days later, you receive a letter from the debt collection agency that spells out the details of the alleged delinquent debt. You believe you have no other option but to settle the outstanding debt.
However, a federal law enacted by the United States Congress grants you the right to send Gatestone & Co International a dispute letter.
You should keep copies of every letter sent to a debt collection agency, including a dispute letter that requests confirmation of the consumer debt in question. In addition, you should send the dispute letter by certified mail to verify the third party debt collector received the letter.
Certified letters require the signature of the recipient of the letters. By contesting the validity of an alleged debt, a bill collector cannot report the alleged debt to any of the three primary credit reporting bureaus until the agency confirms the existence of the debt.
Work with a Lawyer to Draft a Dispute Letter
Consumers that undergo the debt collection process can feel considerable stress and anxiety. The emotional roller coaster can trigger negative reactions that influence behavior. Before sending Gatestone & Co International a dispute letter, you should speak with a licensed consumer protection lawyer to learn more about the landmark consumer protection law called the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
Your FDCPA lawyer will craft a powerful dispute letter that does not contain emotionally charged language. Instead, your dispute letter will clearly inform Gatestone & Co International Inc. about the legal ramification of not complying with every request written into the letter.
Debt collection agencies hire the best legal counsel to pursue the collection of outstanding debts. Having a consumer protection lawyer on your side levels the legal playing field by ensuring you receive all the protections granted by the groundbreaking FDCPA.
With legal professionalism in your corner, you can move forward confident all your interests are being protected against unethical bill collector actions.
![Sample Dispute Letter to Gatestone & Co International Inc.*]()
Actual Sample Letter for Gatestone & Co International Inc.
The dispute letter sent to Gatestone & Co international Inc. will include your name and contact information at the top of the letterhead, as well as the name and contact information of the debt collection agency.
From there, your lawyer will draft a dispute letter that looks something like the following letter template.
Your debt collection agency contacted me on December 2, 2018 in regards to an alleged debt. I contest the existence of the debt because the statute of limitations has expired. With the advice of my FDCPA lawyer, I request your company provide me with the following information:
- Amount of the debt in question
- Name and contact information for the original creditor
- Evidence that I am legally liable to pay off the alleged debt
- Documentation that shows you possess a license to collect consumer debts in the state where I reside
Since I have sent this letter within 30 days of receiving your initial debt collection letter, my lawyer has advised me to explain to you the FDCPA requires you to stop making attempts to collect the alleged debt until your company proves the debt is legally valid.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Date
There are plenty of valid legal reasons to contest an alleged consumer debt. Make sure you present the correct reason by speaking with an experienced FDCPA lawyer.
Additional Resources
*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 Gatestone & Co International Inc. or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.