Debt Collector Phone Call Checklist - Rev. 19-04-20 - Keep Written Records and Dispute Illegally Collected Debts

Sep 15, 2026

Debt collector phone call checklist for documenting every interaction, including call date and time, debt collector company, employee identity, account number, and whether the collector validated the debt in writing. The checklist prompts recording promises, agreements, threats, and any actions that may be illegal, plus what steps to take immediately after the call. It explains debt validation within five days, the 30-day right to dispute, and requirements for written verification.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Debt collector call record

Call details to capture

Validate and dispute in writing

What happens after the call

Debt validation requirements

Disputing a debt within 30 days

Next actions and where to get help

Use this checklist to keep a written record of all communication that you have with a debt collector. If you think the debt collector broke the law, talk to a lawyer. Date and Time of the Call: Did the Debt Collector Call You? Name of the Debt Collection Company: Name and/or Employee Number of Who You Talked To: Account Number of Debt: Did you ask debt collector validate the debt in writing? (circle one) No Yes (Date they validated): Did you ask the debt collector to verify in writing that you owe the debt and the correct amount after sending a Debt Dispute Letter? No Yes (Date they validated): Promises Made by Debt Collector: 1. 2. 3. Agreements Made During Phone Call: 1. 2. 3. Any Threats Made by Debt Collector: 1. 2. 3. Anything that Debt Collector Did that Might be Illegal: 1. 2. 3. After this Phone Call I Need To: 1. 2. 3. What should I do when a debt collector contacts me? When you are working with a debt collector it is a good idea to: 1. Send a Debt Validation Letter if the debt collector did not give you all of the information they are required to by law 2. Send a Debt Dispute Letter 3. Get everything in writing 4. Take notes for yourself Debt Validation Within five days of contacting you, a debt collector must tell you in writing: 􀁸 How much they think you owe, 􀁸 The name of the original creditor, 􀁸 That you have the right to dispute the debt within 30 days, and 􀁸 That if you dispute the debt, the creditor will give written verification of the debt. If the debt collector does not give you all of this information in writing, you can send them a “Debt Validation Letter.” The Debt Validation Letter says that the debt collector did not give you all of the information they are supposed to, and that may be against federal law. The letter also asks the debt collector to not contact you again unless they send you all information required by federal law. You can download our Debt Validation Letter and send it to a debt collector. Disputing a Debt You have the right to dispute a debt within 30 days after the debt collector contacts you. If you do not agree with the debt, or even the amount, you can send the debt collector a Debt Dispute Letter. The Debt Dispute Letter asks the debt collector to: 1. Send the original creditor’s name and address 2. Send verification of the debt 3. Send a complete accounting of the original debt 4. And, notify all Consumer Reporting Agencies to whom the debt collector has reported the debt that you are disputing it. If you send a Debt Dispute Letter within 30 days after the debt collector has contacted you, or has validated the debt, they must stop contacting you until they verify the debt. The debt collector can verify the debt by sending you proof of the debt, like a copy of the original bill. More Help [Visit MontanaLawHelp.org](Visit MontanaLawHelp.org) for more help. Or, contact Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) [at mtlsa.org](at mtlsa.org) or 1-800-666-6899.

FAQs

What information should be recorded during a debt collector phone call?

Record the call date and time, whether the collector called you, the debt collection company, the person’s name/employee number, the account number, and whether the debt was validated in writing with the validation date. Also note promises, agreements, threats, and any potentially illegal actions.

What is a debt validation letter and when can it be used?

If the debt collector does not provide required information in writing within five days, send a debt validation letter. It states the collector did not provide all required information and asks them not to contact you again unless they send the information required by federal law.

How do debt dispute letters work and what must the collector do after receiving one?

You can dispute the debt within 30 days after contact. A debt dispute letter asks the collector to provide the original creditor’s name/address, verification of the debt, a complete accounting, and to notify consumer reporting agencies that the debt is disputed. If sent within 30 days, they must stop contacting you until they verify the debt.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Oliver Hayes