What to do when a debt collector calls or sends a letter in Michigan
When a debt collector first contacts a consumer, both Michigan law and the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) require certain written information and give the consumer a window to dispute the debt. If you dispute the debt in writing within the statutory period, the collector must stop attempting collection until it verifies the debt. Collectors also may not use misleading, deceptive, or unfair practices in trying to collect.
These rules mean many people choose to ask for verification and to tell the collector to stop contacting them while verification is obtained. Others document communications and preserve copies of letters and calls in case a collector violates state or federal rules and a complaint needs to be filed with a regulator or raised in court.
Current Michigan law
Every answer cites the statute
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The deadline that matters
30 days from receipt of the collector’s written validation notice to dispute the debt in writing.
What Michigan law says
Under Michigan law, a collection agency must send a written notice within five days after initial communication that includes the amount, creditor name, date, and a statement that the consumer has 30 days to dispute the debt, and that written dispute will require the agency to obtain verification and mail it to the consumer while collection pauses: Mich. Comp. Laws § 339.918. Michigan also bars misleading or deceptive collection practices by regulated persons: Mich. Comp. Laws § 445.252. The federal FDCPA contains similar validation and cease-collection rules, and limits abusive or unfair collection methods: 15 U.S.C. § 1692g and related provisions such as 15 U.S.C. § 1692f and 15 U.S.C. § 1692h. Court decisions clarify that accounts written off remain collectible and that repeated or deceptive communications can support claims under state law, see examples in Michigan case law such as Rcs Recovery Services LLC v. W Emery Matthews and Margita v. Diamond Mortgage Corp.: Rcs Recovery Services LLC v. W Emery Matthews (Mich. Ct. App. 2021), Margita v. Diamond Mortgage Corp., 159 Mich. App. 181, 406 N.W.2d 268 (Mich. Ct. App. 1987).
What to do
A common first step is to keep a record of the date and content of each call and letter.
A common option is to send a written dispute or validation request within the 30-day period after receiving the collector’s notice.
A common choice is to send a written request that the collector stop communicating while verification is obtained (a cease-communication letter).
A common step is to keep copies of all correspondence and any verification the collector provides.
A common next step is to report deceptive or unfair collection conduct to the state regulator or to the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau if violations occur.
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Common questions
What if the collector keeps calling after I dispute the debt in writing?
If the debt was disputed in writing within the 30-day period, collection must pause until the collector mails verification. Continued deceptive or harassing calls may violate Michigan law or the FDCPA and can be reported to regulators.
Can a collector misrepresent the legal status of the debt?
Michigan law forbids making inaccurate or misleading statements about legal status or rights in communications to collect a debt, see Mich. Comp. Laws § 445.252.
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This page provides legal information about Michigan law and not legal advice. CiteLaw is not a law firm and does not represent you. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.
