How to Write a Debt Validation Letter to Harris & Harris
A debt validation letter is a formal request under §809(b) of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) that forces Harris & Harris to prove the alleged debt is yours, that the amount is correct, and that they have the legal authority to collect it. Until Harris & Harris produces validation — the original creditor, an itemized balance, and documentation tying the debt to you — they must halt collection activity. This letter must be sent within 30 days of Harris & Harris's first written contact to trigger full FDCPA protection.
About validating a debt with Harris & Harris
Harris & Harris, Ltd. is a Chicago-based collection agency known for working government, municipal, utility, and healthcare receivables, including parking, tolls, and city services. Most of its inventory is placed by public-sector and institutional clients.
What Harris & Harris accounts look like on your credit report
- Municipal and government service balances
- Utility accounts
- Healthcare receivables
What actually matters when you dispute with Harris & Harris
- Municipal balances such as tickets and tolls are often resolvable directly with the issuing agency, which can cause the collection placement to be withdrawn.
- Ask for the underlying citation, invoice, or service record — not just a balance summary — since public-sector placements are frequently based on record-only data.
- Verify the account is yours and not tied to a vehicle or address you no longer control.
What a response from Harris & Harris usually looks like
Responses usually arrive within 30 days and consist of client records. Resolving directly with the municipality or provider is often the faster path.
Where to send this letter
How to find the right address for Harris & Harris
Mail this letter to the dispute or billing-inquiries address printed on your most recent statement. Look for the section labeled "Billing Inquiries," "Disputes," or "Correspondence" — this is different from the payment address. If you can't find it on your statement, check the company's website or the back of your card for their consumer-correspondence address.
Step-by-step: sending a Debt Validation Letter to Harris & Harris
- Send the letter within 30 days of the collector's first written notice to preserve FDCPA rights.
- Generate your debt validation request naming the collector and account.
- Mail Certified with Return Receipt so you have proof of the 30-day timing.
- Do not pay, negotiate, or acknowledge the debt until validation is received in writing.
What to expect
30 days to validate — collection activity must pause until they do.
Under FDCPA §809(b), once a consumer disputes a debt in writing within 30 days of the collector's first notice, the collector must cease collection activity until it mails verification of the debt. Many collectors simply stop collecting rather than produce full validation, especially for old or resold debts.
Frequently asked questions
When must I send a debt validation letter?
Within 30 days of the debt collector's first written communication. Sending inside that window triggers full FDCPA §809(b) protection: collection must pause and the collector must mail verification before resuming.
What must the collector actually provide?
At minimum, the name and address of the original creditor and verification of the amount owed. Best practice is to also demand a signed contract, itemized accounting, and proof they are licensed to collect in your state.
Can I still send one after 30 days?
Yes, but the automatic pause on collection activity under §809(b) may no longer apply. The letter is still useful — many collectors cannot produce documentation on older debts and will drop the account rather than respond.
What if the collector never responds?
They cannot lawfully continue collection or credit-bureau reporting without validation. If they do, that's a documented FDCPA violation — keep the certified-mail receipt and consider a CFPB or state Attorney General complaint.