Validation information
Section 1692g requires specified written information within five days after the initial communication unless an exception applies.
15 U.S.C. § 1692g(a)Debt Collection Practices
Select any section to read the current official text. The briefing beside each citation is a short educational orientation only; applicability, exceptions, dates, and remedies must be confirmed in the linked source and with qualified counsel when needed.
Scope at a glance
- Many third-party collectors collecting consumer debts
- Certain debt buyers and collection-law-firm activity when statutory definitions are met
- Communications with consumers and specified third parties
Key protections
- Restrictions on harassment, abuse, deception, and unfair practices
- Validation information and a written-dispute process
- Communication rules and specified cease-communication rights
- Venue, civil-liability, enforcement, and state-law provisions
Dispute or request information about a collection debt
First confirm who contacted you and preserve the validation notice. A debt-collection dispute is different from disputing a credit-report entry.
- 01
Save the initial communication, validation notice, envelopes, voicemails, call log, and any court papers.
- 02
Identify the collector, current creditor, original creditor if different, account reference, itemized amount, and validation-period end date.
- 03
If you dispute the debt or want original-creditor information, send a clear written request before the stated deadline when possible.
- 04
Keep a signed copy and reliable proof of delivery; do not include unnecessary sensitive information.
- 05
Track whether collection activity pauses and preserve the verification response.
- 06
Respond immediately to any lawsuit or court deadline—sending a validation request does not replace a court answer.
Timeline reference
Written dispute period
A written dispute within the statutory 30-day period triggers the verification-and-pause framework in § 1692g(b).
15 U.S.C. § 1692gCivil action limitation
Section 1692k states that an action to enforce liability may be brought within one year from the date the violation occurs; legal advice is important.
15 U.S.C. § 1692k(d)Read before acting
Important information
- The FDCPA does not cover every creditor or every debt.
- A timely written dispute does not erase the debt; it can require collection to pause until verification is mailed.
- Do not ignore a summons, wage-garnishment paper, or other court deadline.
- An FDCPA validation dispute and an FCRA credit-report dispute are separate processes.
Related regulations
Regulation F — 12 CFR Part 1006→Official help
CFPB — Debt collection resources↗CFPB complaint portal↗Subchapter V
§§ 1692–1692pAll sections
15 U.S.C. § 1692
Congressional findings and declaration of purpose
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning congressional findings and declaration of purpose. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1692 at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1692a
Definitions
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning definitions. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1692a at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1692b
Acquisition of location information
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning acquisition of location information. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1692b at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1692c
Communication in connection with debt collection
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning communication in connection with debt collection. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1692c at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1692d
Harassment or abuse
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning harassment or abuse. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1692d at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1692e
False or misleading representations
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning false or misleading representations. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1692e at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1692f
Unfair practices
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning unfair practices. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1692f at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1692g
Validation of debts
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning validation of debts. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1692g at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1692h
Multiple debts
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning multiple debts. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1692h at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1692i
Legal actions by debt collectors
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning legal actions by debt collectors. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1692i at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1692j
Furnishing certain deceptive forms
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning furnishing certain deceptive forms. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1692j at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1692k
Civil liability
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning civil liability. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1692k at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1692l
Administrative enforcement
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning administrative enforcement. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1692l at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1692m
Reports to Congress by the Bureau; views of other Federal agencies
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning reports to Congress by the Bureau; views of other Federal agencies. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1692m at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1692n
Relation to State laws
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning relation to State laws. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1692n at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1692o
Exemption for State regulation
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning exemption for State regulation. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1692o at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1692p
Exception for certain bad check enforcement programs operated by private entities
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning exception for certain bad check enforcement programs operated by private entities. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1692p at the official U.S. Code ↗