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If a debt collector is asking me to pay more than one debt, do I have any control over which debt my payment is applied to?

Yes, you can choose which debt your payment is applied to.

The CFPB’s Debt Collection Rule clarifying certain provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) became effective on November 30, 2021.

If you have more than one debt with a debt collector, you can direct the debt collector to apply any payment you make to the debt you choose. The debt collector may not apply a payment to a debt that you are disputing. You may want to have the payment applied to a secured debt rather than an unsecured debt.

It is a good idea to keep a file of all letters or documents a debt collector sends you. Keep copies of anything you send to a debt collector. Write down dates and times of conversations along with notes about what you discussed. These records can help you if you have a dispute with a debt collector, meet with a lawyer, or go to court.

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