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How long does a collection agency have to validate a debt before it must be deleted from my credit report?*

I checked my credit report about a month ago and saw that there was a debt on there that shouldn't be. It should have been taken care of by my former employer as it was a worker's comp issue. I contacted the collection agency through phone and told them of the error. They didn't really do much, just said that my only options were to pay the debt or have my former employer pay the debt. But then like a week later I got a official notification of collection letter which stated that I had 30 days to dispute the debt. I sent a standard dispute letter through verified mail and they signed for the letter on March 24, 2008. How long do they have to prove this debt to me before it must be erased from my credit report? Specifically what I did was this (from the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Section 809-Validation of Debts) (b) If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) 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 any 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. Ok so that's what I did. I disputed the debt in writing and now they have to provide validation of the debt to me. What I'm wondering is if there is a time limit they must do it in before they must delete the record? How long do I have to wait? Also, Tropic, I live in America and here the burden of proof is NEVER on the individual. They DO have to prove that I owe what they say they owe.

Answers:

1) You need to dispute it with the credit reporting bureau. They have 30 days. Send all your informating and proof to the credit bureau.

2) they do not have to prove the debt you have to prove it is wrong. If you have all the paperwork proving that you were not responsible copy it twice send one copy to the collections agency (not just a letter saying it was not yours) then if they do not contact you or remove the debt contact the credit agency (experian,transcredit, etc.) and provide them with the information. They will have it off of your report in 30 days or less.

3) Hi, I used "Credit Solution" to settle my debt and improve my credit score.They managed to reduce my debt up to 58%.It's legitimate.I came across this company on NBC News Special Edition.Check it out here: http://d6b0.easyurl.net

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