Getting a call about a debt is stressful. Scammers know that, and they pose as debt collectors to pressure people into paying money they don't owe. Real debt collectors have to follow federal rules, and those rules give you a simple way to check before you pay anything.

What a real debt collector must give you

Under federal rules, a debt collector must send you validation information, usually in its first message or within five days after first contacting you (CFPB). It can arrive by mail or electronically and must include:

• A statement that the message is from a debt collector
• The collector's name and mailing address, and yours
• The name of the creditor you owe, and the account number if there is one
• An itemization showing interest, fees, payments, and credits since a specific date
• The current amount of the debt
• How to dispute the debt, and the end date of your 30-day dispute period

You have 30 days after receiving this information to dispute the debt in writing. If you dispute it or ask for the original creditor's name within that window, the collector must pause collecting the disputed amount until it responds.

Red flags that it may be a scam

• They won't give you written information or a mailing address.
• They threaten arrest or jail. You can't be arrested for not paying a consumer debt, and legitimate collectors can't threaten that.
• They demand payment today by gift card, wire transfer, crypto, or a payment app sent to a person.
• They ask you to "confirm" your Social Security number or bank login. A real collector already has information about the account.
• You don't recognize the debt, and they can't or won't tell you who the original creditor is.
• They use threats or abusive language, or call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. your time. Legitimate collectors are also restricted from those practices.

How to verify a debt in five steps

1. Don't pay or share account details on the first call. Ask for the caller's name, company, mailing address, and phone number.
2. If you haven't received it, ask for the validation information in writing.
3. Check your credit reports for free at AnnualCreditReport.com to see whether the debt appears and who reports it.
4. Contact the original creditor using a number you find yourself, and ask whether the account was sold or placed with a collector.
5. Look up the company. Search the name plus "complaints," and check whether your state requires collectors to be licensed.

If the debt is real

Verifying a debt isn't about avoiding it — it's about making sure you pay the right company the right amount. Once you know the debt is real, reach out. Most collectors, including Remynt, can work with you on a payment plan that fits your budget. Ignoring a real debt can lead to added costs, credit reporting, or a lawsuit. If you ever receive court papers, don't ignore them; confirm the case directly with the court.

How to know a message is really from Remynt

• Our messages say they're from a debt collector.
• You can always check your account by logging in directly at app.getremynt.com — type the address yourself instead of clicking a link you're unsure about.
• Remynt will never ask you to pay with a gift card, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer, and we'll never threaten to arrest you.
• Questions? Email help@getremynt.com.

Report a fake collector

If you think a scammer contacted you, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can submit a complaint about any debt collector to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and your state attorney general.