How to Not Pay Your Debt

I could get excommunicated from the fraternal order of blood sucking collection attorneys. But in my purpose I told you I would tell both sides of the story and so I will. This article comes with a giant very real DISCLAIMER. This article does not and is not meant to give legal advice. I am not YOUR attorney and we have no attorney client relationship. If you use any of the information imparted by this article, you do so at your own risk and I strongly urge you to consult your own attorney.

This article is written with the assumption that the debt that you are being sued over is a valid debt and it is your debt. If neither of these assumptions is true, then there are other articles here which are more applicable.
First and most importantly, it buys you some time. Under the FDCPA, all collection activity must cease until the attorney puts that verification in the mail to you. The verification is usually a simple statement signed by the creditor and it will not take the collection attorney long to obtain it. But for that brief period, nothing will happen. Secondly, it sends a signal to the collection attorney that you are not going to be a roll over debtor. He knows you will be active in the defense of the suit. A high percentage of collection suits simply proceed to default judgment without any response from the debtor. This request moves you out of that category. Now, some simple advice. Don’t use a form from the internet to make the FDCPA verification request. I’ve seen a lot of them lately and they ask for information and documentation the FDCPA doesn’t require the collection attorney to give you. That tells the collection attorney you really have no idea what you are doing. The form letters also make threats which simple irritate the collection attorney.
Simply ask the attorney to verify the debt in accordance with the FDCPA. Next, don’t be antagonistic or stupid. Don’t threaten the lawyer or lie. Don’t threaten to sue him or report him to the Bar or say you have an attorney if you don’t. These tactics don’t intimidate collection lawyers and simply mark your file for extra special attention. Finally, a certified mail written request for an FDCPA verification may end the collection process. That is true in a very small percentage of cases, but it is worth taking as a first step.