source:
  type: regulation
  id: reg-f-1006.34
  authority: 12 CFR §1006.34 — Notice for validation of debts (Regulation F)
  description: 12 CFR §1006.34 — Notice for validation of debts.
  coverage_tier: operative
obligations:
- id: reg-f-1006.34-full
  canonical_id: reg-f-1006.34-full
  section: 12 CFR §1006.34 — Notice for validation of debts
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - fdcpa
  - corpus-expansion
  - tier-operative
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: 12 CFR §1006.34 — Notice for validation of debts (Regulation F)
    source_class: cfpb-regulation
    source_url: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/12/1006.34
    snapshot_id: e1995c535eb6c386
    fetched_at: '2026-05-22T18:21:15Z'
    content_hash: sha256:be4850ef087308361ef524649fd41d3c61bd0fc4cf7edc39b5251b56d3a8fa08
    paragraph_quote: '§ 1006.34 Notice for validation of debts. (a) Validation information
      required —(1) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section,
      a debt collector must provide a consumer with the validation information required
      by paragraph (c) of this section either: (i) By sending the consumer a validation
      notice in the manner required by § 1006.42 : (A) In the initial communication,
      as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section; or (B) Within five days of that
      initial communication; or (ii) By providing the validation information orally
      in the initial communication. (2) Exception. A debt collector who otherwise
      would be required to send a validation notice pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B)
      of this section is not required to do so if the consumer has paid the debt prior
      to the time that paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of this section would require the validation
      notice to be sent. (b) Definitions. For purposes of this section: (1) Clear
      and conspicuous means readily understandable. In the case of written and electronic
      disclosures, the location and type size also must be readily noticeable and
      legible to consumers , although no minimum type size is mandated. In the case
      of oral disclosures, the disclosures also must be given at a volume and speed
      sufficient for the consumer to hear and comprehend them. (2) Initial communication
      means the first time that, in connection with the collection of a debt , a debt
      collector conveys information, directly or indirectly, regarding the debt to
      the consumer , other than a communication in the form of a formal pleading in
      a civil action, or any form or notice that does not relate to the collection
      of the debt and is expressly required by: (i) The Internal Revenue Code of 1986
      ( 26 U.S.C. 1 et seq. ); (ii) Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ( 15 U.S.C.
      6801 through 6827 ); or (iii) Any provision of Federal or State law or regulation
      mandating notice of a data security breach or privacy risk. (3) Itemization
      date means any one of the following five reference dates for which a debt collector
      can ascertain the amount of the debt: (i) The last statement date, which is
      the date of the last periodic statement or written account statement or invoice
      provided to the consumer by a creditor ; (ii) The charge-off date, which is
      the date the debt was charged off; (iii) The last payment date, which is the
      date the last payment was applied to the debt ; (iv) The transaction date, which
      is the date of the transaction that gave rise to the debt ; or (v) The judgment
      date, which is the date of a final court judgment that determines the amount
      of the debt owed by the consumer . (4) Validation notice means a written or
      electronic notice that provides the validation information required by paragraph
      (c) of this section. (5) Validation period means the period starting on the
      date that a debt collector provides the validation information required by paragraph
      (c) of this section and ending 30 days after the consumer receives or is assumed
      to receive the validation information. For purposes of determining the end of
      the validation period, the debt collector may assume that a consumer receives
      the validation information on any date that is at least five days (excluding
      legal public holidays identified in 5 U.S.C. 6103(a) , Saturdays, and Sundays)
      after the debt collector provides it. (c) Validation information. Pursuant to
      paragraph (a)(1) of this section, a debt collector must provide the following
      validation information. (1) Debt collector communication disclosure. The statement
      required by § 1006.18(e) . (2) Information about the debt. Except as provided
      in paragraph (c)(5) of this section: (i) The debt collector ''s name and the
      mailing address at which the debt collector accepts disputes and requests for
      original-creditor information. (ii) The consumer ''s name and mailing address.
      (iii) If the debt collector is collecting a debt related to a consumer financial
      product or service as defined in § 1006.2(f) , the name of the creditor to whom
      the debt was owed on the itemization date. (iv) The account number, if any,
      associated with the debt on the itemization date, or a truncated version of
      that number. (v) The name of the creditor to whom the debt currently is owed.
      (vi) The itemization date. (vii) The amount of the debt on the itemization date.
      (viii) An itemization of the current amount of the debt reflecting interest,
      fees, payments, and credits since the itemization date. A debt collector may
      disclose the itemization on a separate page provided in the same communication
      with a validation notice, if the debt collector includes on the validation notice,
      where the itemization would have appeared, a statement referring to that separate
      page. (ix) The current amount of the debt . (3) Information about consumer protections.
      (i) The date that the debt collector will consider the end date of the validation
      period and a statement that, if the consumer notifies the debt collector in
      writing on or before that date that the debt , or any portion of the debt ,
      is disputed, the debt collector must cease collection of the debt , or the disputed
      portion of the debt , until the debt collector sends the consumer either verification
      of the debt or a copy of a judgment. (ii) The date that the debt collector will
      consider the end date of the validation period and a statement that, if the
      consumer requests in writing on or before that date the name and address of
      the original creditor , the debt collector must cease collection of the debt
      until the debt collector sends the consumer the name and address of the original
      creditor , if different from the current creditor . (iii) The date that the
      debt collector will consider the end date of the validation period and a statement
      that, unless the consumer contacts the debt collector to dispute the validity
      of the debt , or any portion of the debt , on or before that date, the debt
      collector will assume that the debt is valid. (iv) If the debt collector is
      collecting debt related to a consumer financial product or service as defined
      in § 1006.2(f) , a statement that informs the consumer that additional information
      regarding consumer protections in debt collection is available on the Bureau
      ''s website at www.cfpb.gov/debt-collection. (v) If the debt collector sends
      the validation notice electronically, a statement explaining how a consumer
      can, as described in paragraphs (c)(4)(i) and (ii) of this section, dispute
      the debt or request original-creditor information electronically. (4) Consumer-response
      information. The following information, segregated from the validation information
      required by paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this section and from any optional
      information included pursuant to paragraphs (d)(3)(i) and (ii), (d)(3)(iii)(A),
      (d)(3)(iv) and (v), (d)(3)(vi)(A), and (d)(3)(vii) and (viii) of this section,
      and, if provided on a validation notice, located at the bottom of the notice
      under the headings, “How do you want to respond?” and “Check all that apply:”:
      (i) Dispute prompts. The following statements, listed in the following order,
      and using the following phrasing or substantially similar phrasing, each next
      to a prompt: (A) “I want to dispute the debt because I think:”; (B) “This is
      not my debt .”; (C) “The amount is wrong.”; and (D) “Other (please describe
      on reverse or attach additional information).” (ii) Original-creditor information
      prompt. The statement, “I want you to send me the name and address of the original
      creditor .”, using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase, next to a
      prompt. (iii) Mailing addresses. Mailing addresses for the consumer and the
      debt collector , which are the debt collector ''s and the consumer ''s names
      and mailing addresses as disclosed pursuant to § 1006.34(c)(2)(i) and (ii) .
      (5) Special rule for certain residential mortgage debt. For residential mortgage
      debt , if a periodic statement is required under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41
      , at the time a debt collector provides the validation notice, a debt collector
      need not provide the validation information required by paragraphs (c)(2)(vi)
      through (viii) of this section if the debt collector: (i) Provides the consumer
      , in the same communication with the validation notice, a copy of the most recent
      periodic statement provided to the consumer under Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.41
      (b); and (ii) Includes on the validation notice, where the validation information
      required by paragraphs (c)(2)(vi) through (viii) of this section would have
      appeared, a statement referring to that periodic statement. (d) Form of validation
      information —(1) In general. The validation information required by paragraph
      (c) of this section must be clear and conspicuous. (2) Safe harbor —(i) In general.
      Model Form B-1 in appendix B to this part contains the validation information
      required by paragraph (c) of this section and certain optional disclosures permitted
      by paragraph (d)(3) of this section. A debt collector who uses Model Form B-1
      complies with the information and form requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d)(1)
      of this section, including if the debt collector: (A) Omits any or all of the
      optional disclosures shown on Model Form B-1; or (B) Adds any or all of the
      optional disclosures described in paragraph (d)(3) of this section that are
      not shown on Model Form B-1, provided that any such optional disclosures are
      no more prominent than any of the validation information required by paragraph
      (c) of this section. (ii) Certain disclosures on a separate page. A debt collector
      who uses Model Form B-1 as described in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section
      and who, pursuant to paragraph (c)(2)(viii) or (c)(5) of this section, includes
      certain disclosures on a separate page in the same communication with the validation
      notice and, on the notice, the required statement referring to those disclosures,
      receives a safe harbor for compliance with the information and form requirements
      of paragraphs (c) and (d)(1) of this section except with respect to the disclosures
      on the separate page. (iii) Substantially similar form. A debt collector who
      uses Model Form B-1 as described in paragraph (d)(2)(i) or (ii) of this section
      may make changes to the form and retain a safe harbor for compliance with the
      information and form requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d)(1) of this section
      provided that the form remains substantially similar to Model Form B-1. (3)
      Optional disclosures. A debt collector may include any of the following information
      when providing the validation information required by paragraph (c) of this
      section. A debt collector who includes any of the following information receives
      the safe harbor described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, provided that
      the debt collector otherwise uses Model Form B-1 in appendix B to this part,
      or a variation of Model Form B-1, as described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.
      (i) Telephone contact information. The debt collector ''s telephone contact
      information. (ii) Reference code. A number or code that the debt collector uses
      to identify the debt or the consumer . (iii) Payment disclosures. Either or
      both of the following phrases: (A) The statement, “Contact us about your payment
      options.”, using that phrase or a substantially similar phrase; and (B) Below
      the consumer -response information required by paragraphs (c)(4)(i) and (ii)
      of this section, the statement, “I enclosed this amount:”, using that phrase
      or a substantially similar phrase, payment instructions after that statement,
      and a prompt. (iv) Disclosures under applicable law —(A) Disclosures on the
      reverse of the validation notice. On the reverse of the validation notice, any
      disclosures that are specifically required by, or that provide safe harbors
      under, applicable law and, if any such disclosures are included, a statement
      on the front of the validation notice referring to those disclosures. Any such
      disclosures must not appear directly on the reverse of the consumer -response
      information required by paragraph (c)(4) of this section. (B) Disclosures on
      the front of the validation notice. If a debt collector is collecting time-barred
      debt , on the front of the validation notice below the disclosure required by
      paragraph (c)(2)(ix) of this section, any time-barred debt disclosure that is
      specifically required by, or that provides a safe harbor under, applicable law,
      provided that applicable law specifies the content of the disclosure. (v) Information
      about electronic communications. The following information: (A) The debt collector
      ''s website and email address. (B) If the validation information is not provided
      electronically, a statement explaining how a consumer can, as described in paragraphs
      (c)(4)(i) and (ii) of this section, dispute the debt or request original-creditor
      information electronically. (vi) Spanish-language translation disclosures. Either
      or both of the following disclosures regarding a consumer ''s ability to request
      a Spanish-language translation of a validation notice: (A) The statement, “Póngase
      en contacto con nosotros para solicitar una copia de este formulario en español”
      (which means “Contact us to request a copy of this form in Spanish”), using
      that phrase or a substantially similar phrase in Spanish. If providing this
      optional disclosure, a debt collector may include supplemental information in
      Spanish that specifies how a consumer may request a Spanish-language validation
      notice. (B) With the consumer -response information required by paragraph (c)(4)
      of this section, the statement “Quiero este formulario en español” (which means
      “I want this form in Spanish”), using that phrase or a substantially similar
      phrase in Spanish, next to a prompt. (vii) The merchant brand, affinity brand,
      or facility name, if any, associated with the debt . (viii) If a debt collector
      is collecting debt other than debt related to a consumer financial product or
      service as defined in § 1006.2(f) , the information specified in paragraph (c)(2)(iii)
      or (c)(3)(iv) of this section. (4) Validation notices delivered electronically.
      If a debt collector delivers a validation notice electronically, a debt collector
      may, at its option, format the validation notice as follows: (i) Prompts. Any
      prompt required by paragraph (c)(4)(i) or (ii) or paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(B) or
      (d)(3)(vi)(B) of this section may be displayed electronically as a fillable
      field. (ii) Hyperlinks. Hyperlinks may be embedded that, when clicked: (A) Connect
      a consumer to the debt collector ''s website; (B) Connect a consumer to the
      Bureau ''s debt collection website as disclosed pursuant to paragraph (c)(3)(iv)
      of this section; or (C) Permit a consumer to respond to the dispute and original-creditor
      information prompts required by paragraphs (c)(4)(i) and (ii) of this section.
      (e) Translation into other languages —(1) In general. A debt collector may send
      a consumer a validation notice completely and accurately translated into any
      language if the debt collector: (i) Sends the consumer an English-language validation
      notice in the same communication as the translated validation notice; or (ii)
      Previously provided the consumer an English-language validation notice, in which
      case the debt collector need not send the consumer an English-language validation
      notice in the same communication as the translated validation notice. (2) Spanish-language
      validation notice—requirement to provide after optional disclosure. A debt collector
      who includes in the validation information either or both of the optional disclosures
      described in paragraph (d)(3)(vi) of this section, and who thereafter receives
      a request from the consumer for a Spanish-language validation notice, must provide
      the consumer a validation notice completely and accurately translated into Spanish.
      [ 86 FR 5854 , Jan. 19, 2021]'
  judgment: false
