How do you prove a debt collection notice in the mail is real and not fake?

Does the notice reference who the original creditor supposedly is?

Well, it’s certainly a scam if it’s an attempt to collect a debt you don’t owe. If it’s regarding a debt you )do owe then it’s probably not a scam. If it is money you owe then you could call the company you originally owed the the money to and ask who they sold your debt to or what company/collection agency normally use.

Is this regarding an estate? After someone dies the estate is supposed to publish a notice of the death and that anyone owed money by the estate should make the claims. After my dad died I got a letter from a collection agency about a credit card debt owed by my father. I knew it was a scam because my father didn’t have any debt, credit card or otherwise. I had my attorney write them a letter and that was the last I heard of it.

You always have the option of paying the original party you owe the money to. If they “sold” the debt to a debt collection agency, they can work it out amongst themselves. At least you know the money is going where you owe it. The debt collection agency may not like it when you tell them you are going to pay the original party, but that’s too bad.

BE CAREFUL! This could be a scam, and some people will pay simply because they’re so frightened and intimidated—even if they don’t owe the debt! Thankfully, the Supreme Court ruled that you have the right to sue abusive collectors who are hounding you about debts you don’t owe. Even if you legitimately owe a debt, you have specific rights under federal law.

Here are some tips;

•Always record any calls from/to a collector
•If your debt is outside the statute of limitations, you are not required to pay up. However, I encourage you to honor your obligations, if they are proved to be yours, when you’re financially able to do so
•You have the right to tell a collector never to contact you again. Use a “drop dead letter” (look it up online)and send it via certified mail
•If you legitimately owe money and wish to make a deal to pay, never give a collector your checking account number over the phone. Collectors routinely take more money than agreed
•Never pay one cent until you have an agreement in writing stating your payments will resolve the debt in full