---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 1692g"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "1692g"
heading: "Validation of debts"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/1692g"
units:
  - "Chapter 41 — Consumer Credit Protection"
  - "Subchapter V — Debt Collection Practices"
---

# §1692g. Validation of debts

- (a) **Notice of debt; contents—** Within five days after the initial [communication](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=2) with a [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) in connection with the collection of any [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5), a [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial [communication](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=2) or the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) has paid the [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5), send the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) a written notice containing—
  - (1) the amount of the [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5);
  - (2) the name of the [creditor](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=4) to whom the [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5) is owed;
  - (3) a statement that unless the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3), within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5), or any portion thereof, the [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5) will be assumed to be valid by the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6);
  - (4) a statement that if the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) notifies the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) in writing within the thirty-day period that the [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5), or any portion thereof, is disputed, the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) will obtain verification of the [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5) or a copy of a judgment against the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) by the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6); and
  - (5) a statement that, upon the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3)’s written request within the thirty-day period, the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) will provide the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) with the name and address of the original [creditor](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=4), if different from the current [creditor](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=4).
- (b) **Disputed debts—** If the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) notifies the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) in writing within the thirty-day period described in [subsection (a)](#a) that the [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5), or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) requests the name and address of the original [creditor](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=4), the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) shall cease collection of the [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5), or any disputed portion thereof, until the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) obtains verification of the [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5) or a copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original [creditor](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=4), and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original [creditor](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=4), is mailed to the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) by the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6). Collection activities and [communications](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=2) that do not otherwise violate this subchapter may continue during the 30-day period referred to in [subsection (a)](#a) unless the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) has notified the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) in writing that the [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5), or any portion of the [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5), is disputed or that the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) requests the name and address of the original [creditor](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=4). Any collection activities and [communication](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=2) during the 30-day period may not overshadow or be inconsistent with the disclosure of the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3)’s right to dispute the [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5) or request the name and address of the original [creditor](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=4).
- (c) **Admission of liability—** The failure of a [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) to dispute the validity of a [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5) under this section may not be construed by any court as an admission of liability by the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3).
- (d) **Legal pleadings—** A [communication](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=2) in the form of a formal pleading in a civil action shall not be treated as an initial [communication](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=2) for purposes of [subsection (a)](#a).
- (e) **Notice provisions—** The sending or delivery of any form or notice which does not relate to the collection of a [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5) and is expressly required by [title 26](/usc/26.md), title V of Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act [[15 U.S.C. 6801](/usc/15/6801.md) et seq.], or any provision of Federal or [State](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=8) law relating to notice of data [security](/usc/15/1667.md?p=5) breach or privacy, or any regulation prescribed under any such provision of law, shall not be treated as an initial [communication](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=2) in connection with [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5) collection for purposes of this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 90–321, title VIII, § 809, as added Pub. L. 95–109, Sept. 20, 1977, 91 Stat. 879; amended Pub. L. 109–351, title VIII, § 802, Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 2006.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, referred to in subsec. (e), is Pub. L. 106–102, Nov. 12, 1999, 113 Stat. 1338. Title V of the Act is classified principally to chapter 94 (§ 6801 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1999 Amendment note set out under section 1811 of Title 12, Banks and Banking, and Tables.

### Amendments

2006—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–351, § 802(c), inserted at end “Collection activities and communications that do not otherwise violate this subchapter may continue during the 30-day period referred to in subsection (a) unless the consumer has notified the debt collector in writing that the debt, or any portion of the debt, is disputed or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor. Any collection activities and communication during the 30-day period may not overshadow or be inconsistent with the disclosure of the consumer’s right to dispute the debt or request the name and address of the original creditor.”

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–351, § 802(a), added subsec. (d).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–351, § 802(b), added subsec. (e).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### 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 819 of Pub. L. 90–321, as added by Pub. L. 95–109, set out as a note under section 1692 of this title.