Can I ask for validation even if I have missed the 30 day window? I have three accounts to send letters to. Two of them I am within the window but not on the third.
Sure. You can ask for validation whenever you want. It's just that after the 30-day period expires, the CA doesn't have to suspend collection activity. If they think that validation will get them closer to collecting (and they have it), they'll send it to you. If not, they'll ignore it. IMO, it's better to ask for it than not, regardless of when you ask, however, asking for it during the 30-day window is better than out of the 30-day window.
Ok, I'll send the letter out to all of them but, the ones that I should be most interested in hearing from are the ones that are within the window? If they do not respond within 30 days should I send the same letter to them a second time or should it say something different? This is what I wrote to them: Dear Sir or Madam, I dispute the validity of this debt in total and request validation as afforded to me per federal law. Please provide me with the name, address, and any other information that I am entitled to legally regarding this debt including all appropriate dates of deliquency and the method used to obtain the total balance due in addition to any applicable proof that I am responsible for the alleged debt. Don't contact me regarding this debt except by mail at the address below. Please provide this information within the required 30 day time frame.
1. Change "don't contact" to it is inconvenient for you to call me, please correspond by mail. Don't want them to jump on that and interpret as a full C & D. 2. There is no required 30 day time frame to validate under federal law - your state law may say differently.
Now that's a change in the immutable doctrine that has been previously and vociferously espoused both here and elsewhere ! Couldn't help but notice. But you are correct in saying it and recommending the inconvenient to call bit. I would only add that it is inconvenient receive calls at any number, either. Difficult to find a way to misinterpret the two when put together.
