Don’t panic. Getting a call from a debt collector can be stressful, but it's also a chance to get information about the debt.

Get details about the caller

Ask for and write down the:

• Caller’s name
• Name of the company
• Address of the company
• Phone number of the company

🚩 Real debt collectors should share this information If they do not give this to you, it may be a scam.

Get details about the debt

Ask for and write down:

• The name of the original creditor
• The amount they claim you owe. 

🚩 Be careful about sharing personal information for the caller to verify your identity. Debt collectors do not need your full social security to verify your identity.

Request a written validation

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you have the right to get a written notice about the debt.

Ask for a debt validation letter. Within five days of first contacting you, the collector must send a letter that states:

• The amount of the debt,
• The name of the creditor, and
• Your rights to dispute the debt.

⚠️ Wait before taking action. Do not make payments or promises until you receive and review this letter.

Information to avoid sharing 

🚫 Full social security number 

Sharing your full social security number can expose you to identity theft. Legitimate debt collectors typically do not need your full social security number to verify your identity.

🚫 Bank account or credit card information

Avoid giving out bank account numbers, credit card details, or routing numbers. Sharing this information can lead to unauthorized withdrawals or charges.

🚫 Employment and income details

Do not discuss your employer, job title, income, or work schedule. Debt collectors may use this information to pursue wage garnishment or other collection actions. 

🚫 Personal asset information

Do not disclose details about your assets, such as property ownership, vehicle information, or savings. This information isn’t necessary for verifying the debt and could be used against you.

🚫 Admitting you owe the debt or promising to pay

When a debt collector first contacts you, you may not have enough details to know whether you owe a debt to them.

Avoid making statements like “I owe this debt” or “I can pay soon.” These kinds of statements can restart the time the debt collector has to sue you for the debt (statute of limitations).

🚫 Agreeing to pay without verifying the debt

Don’t agree to payment plans or settlements before receiving written validation of the debt. This makes sure the debt is legitimate and that the collector has the right to collect it. 

Dispute the debt, if needed

If you think the debt is not yours, the amount is wrong, or the debt is too old, you can dispute it.

📌 You can create a debt collector letter at Illinois Legal Aid Online. If you send the letter within 30 days of the debt collector’s first contact, the law requires them to provide certain information and the collector must stop trying to collect until they give you proof.

Know what collectors are not allowed to do

Debt collectors cannot:

• Call you before 8 AM or after 9 PM,
• Contact you at work if you have told them not to,
• Threaten arrest or legal action they cannot take,
• Use bad language, or
• Call over and over to bother you.

If a debt collector breaks these rules, write down the details of what happened. This could be a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

📌 We can help you figure out whether the debt collector has violated the law and help you understand your options.