Does a debt collector have the right to refuse settlement ifa debtor requests validation of the debt?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Does a debt collector have the right to refuse settlement ifa debtor requests validation of the debt?

A letter was received to collect debt on a credit card amount that has more than one person on the card. The main signer requests validation of the debt as they never received statements for any purchases in years. When asked for detailed statements, the third party collector states that if he received that information, all settlement offers are off the table. Is that legal?

Asked on August 19, 2011 New Jersey

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

It is legal, because a creditor or their debt collector has no obligation to engage in any settlement discussions whatsoever, or to settle a debt under any terms other than payment in full when due. Since a creditor or its representative does not have to settle a debt, they can refuse to do so, at any time, for any reason. That said:

1) If someone refuses to validate a debt, it may well be a scam--while you have to make your own decision, speaking personally, I would *never* settle an unvalidated debt unless I had independent reason to know it was good and valid (i.e. there is no question whatsoever in mind as to the validity, terms, amount, etc. of the debt) and I'd gladly "give up" the possibility of settlement to validate the debt, especially since--

2) No matter what they say now, they, *of course* could agree to settle the debt later, at any time--there is nothing preventing them changing their mind.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption