Respond safely to a debt collection letter or call

Help me respond to a debt collector. How they contacted me: [letter / call / text / email] What they say I owe: [amount, original creditor, account they mention - no full account numbers] The letter or what they said: [PASTE OR SUMMARIZE] Do I recognize the debt? [yes / no / not sure / maybe, but the amount looks wrong] How old the debt is: [approximate date of last payment, if known] My country or state: [LOCATION - rights vary] My situation: [e.g. can't pay now, could pay some, think it's a scam] Steps: 1. Check whether the contact might be a scam: pressure to pay immediately, threats of arrest, demands for gift cards or wire transfers, refusal to send anything in writing. If it's suspicious, tell me how to verify the collector independently. 2. Explain in general terms the rights people commonly have when contacted by collectors where I live - such as asking for written proof of the debt, disputing it, or asking them to stop calling - and mark law names and deadlines [CONFIRM]. 3. Warn me about things that can make it worse: admitting the debt or making a small payment on a very old debt before checking whether it's past the time limit, giving bank access, or ignoring a court summons. 4. Draft the right letter for my situation: request for proof of the debt, a dispute, or a payment-plan proposal I can afford. Return the assessment, the letter, a call log template, and free help options (e.g. nonprofit credit counseling, legal aid) marked [CONFIRM]. This is general information, not legal advice. If I've been sued, tell me to respond to the court by the deadline and get legal help right away.