Debt Collection Disputes

I’m on the mailing list of a debt collection industry publication called “Collection Advisor”.  Most of the articles are pretty creepy or downright sleazy.  In all fairness, here’s an article from page 18 of their most recent July 2008 edition titled “How Do I Respond to a Dispute?” that I actually agree with:

“Initially, a debt collector is entitled to rely on the representations of its client with respect to the amount and validity of the debt.  However, upon receipt of the dispute, the debt collector may no longer assume the debt is valid.  The debt collector must obtain additional information to support the validity of the debt.  Further, under section 807(8) of the FDCPA, the dispute of the debt must be reported to any consumer reporting agencies to which the debt has been reported.  This requirement under the FDCPA applies whether or not the dispute was received within the thirty-day validation period.  This section 807(8) requirement also applies whether the dispute was received in writing or verbally.”

There’s a first for everything.  I wonder if David the Debt Collector is listening?  I wonder…