Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), if a consumer gets a letter from a debt collector (which includes lawyers), that letter must state:

"This letter is an attempt to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Federal law gives you 30 days after you receive this letter to dispute the validity of the debt or any part of the debt. If you do not dispute the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by this office.

"If you do dispute it -- by notifying me in writing within the 30-day period -- we will, as required by law, obtain and mail to you verification of the debt."