
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 15USC1692g]

 
                      TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND TRADE
 
                 CHAPTER 41--CONSUMER CREDIT PROTECTION
 
                 SUBCHAPTER V--DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES
 
Sec. 1692g. Validation of debts


(a) Notice of debt; contents

    Within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in 
connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall, 
unless the following information is contained in the initial 
communication or the consumer has paid the debt, send the consumer a 
written notice containing--
        (1) the amount of the debt;
        (2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
        (3) a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days 
    after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or 
    any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the 
    debt collector;
        (4) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector 
    in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any 
    portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain 
    verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the 
    consumer and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed 
    to the consumer by the debt collector; and
        (5) a statement that, upon the consumer's written request within 
    the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer 
    with the name and address of the original creditor, if different 
    from the current creditor.

(b) Disputed debts

    If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the 
thirty-day period described in subsection (a) of this section that the 
debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests 
the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall 
cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the 
debt collector obtains verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment, 
or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such 
verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, 
is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector.

(c) Admission of liability

    The failure of a consumer to dispute the validity of a debt under 
this section may not be construed by any court as an admission of 
liability by the consumer.

(Pub. L. 90-321, title VIII, Sec. 809, as added Pub. L. 95-109, Sept. 
20, 1977, 91 Stat. 879.)


                             Effective Date

    Section applicable only with respect to debts for which the initial 
attempt to collect occurs after the effective date of this subchapter, 
which takes effect upon the expiration of six months after Sept. 20, 
1977, see section 818 of Pub. L. 90-321, set out as a note under section 
1692 of this title.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in title 42 section 292f.
