# Is this a scam? (Legal dopers' advice appreciated.)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-scam-legal-dopers-advice-appreciated/495761>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 8, 2009, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-scam-legal-dopers-advice-appreciated/495761 "2009-05-08T16:34:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2009, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-scam-legal-dopers-advice-appreciated/495761/21 "2009-05-09T19:14:28Z")

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> [@nyctea scandiaca](#):
>
> Write a **debt validation letter**. Google this and you will find numerous examples. I have used this successfully several times against debt collectors. It basically says, send me written proof or evidence of a debt I owe, and if you cannot, then you must drop this matter and cease all communications. It is very effective.

First, there are two kinds of letter one can send under the FDCPA. One is called a validation letter. [Debt Validation Letter — Request Collection Agency to Validate Debt](http://www.creditinfocenter.com/forms/sampleletter9.shtml), the other is called a cease and desist letter. [Sample Cease and Desist Letter — Stop Debt Collector Harassment](http://www.creditinfocenter.com/forms/sampleletter7.shtml) But those letters only have legal force if the FDCPA applies to the situation. They don’t apply, for example, to business debts.

> [@](#):
>
> (5) The term “debt” means any obligation or alleged obligation of a consumer to pay money arising out of a transaction in which the money, property, insurance, or services which are the subject of the transaction are primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, whether or not such obligation has been reduced to judgment.

[15 U.S. Code § 1692a - Definitions | U.S. Code | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute](http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/15/usc_sec_15_00001692---a000-.html)

They work just fine for the the most common sort of debt collectors and debts, though.

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