Collector letter for debt not owed

Last year I did not renew my home owner's insurance with Travelers, I went with another company. I sent a cancellation letter and have not heard anything from them. I recently received a collection notice from an attorney's office stating I owed Traveler's for insurance. How do I respond to this letter?

Comments for Collector letter for debt not owed

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Aug 23, 2010
 Contacted About a Debt Not Owed
by: Mary

Thanks for submitting your debt collection question on our Q&A page.

I would send a straight-forward letter to the attorney who has contacted you explaining that you chose not to renew your coverage with Travelers last year and that you notified the company in writing about your decision. Attach a copy of the letter that you sent to Travelers to the letter you send to the attorney. Explain in your letter that because you did not renew your coverage with Traveler's you do not believe you owe any money to the insurance company and ask for written confirmation of the debt the attorney is trying to collect from you. The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act requires that the attorney provide you with that confirmation.

If you do not understand what the attorney sends to you in response to your request, write again and ask for a more detailed accounting. If you continue to be dissatisfied with what the attorney provides or if the attorney does not respond to your request for written confirmation at all, then get in touch with a consumer law attorney in your area who helps consumers resolve their debt collection problems. Find out how to get FREE or low cost legal advice about debt collection from a consumer law attorney here.

One other thing, make a copy of your correspondence with the attorney and send your letter certified mail with a return receipt requested. FIle this information in case you need it later.

Good luck!

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