Got a Letter From MBA Law Offices or Another Debt Collector? Your Rights

Last reviewed: October 3, 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice. TodayinTrend is not affiliated with any law firm or debt collector. State laws add protections and time limits that differ by state, so check your state's rules or speak to a consumer attorney.

If you searched "law offices MBA," there's a good chance you're holding a collection letter from a law firm, often about a medical bill, and you want to know whether it's real and what you have to do. A letter on law firm letterhead can feel intimidating. Take a breath: the law gives you clear rights, and the first steps are simple. (This page doesn't cover law school or MBA programs.)

Short answer: a law firm that regularly collects consumer debts is a "debt collector" under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), so it must follow the same rules as a collection agency. You have the right to written information about the debt, the right to dispute it in writing within 30 days, and the right to tell the collector to stop contacting you. Don't ignore the letter, and never ignore court papers.

Step 1: Check the letter is genuine

Scammers sometimes pose as law firms. Before you pay anything:

• Look up the firm's contact details yourself rather than using only the number in the letter, and check that the lawyer is licensed with the state bar.
• Compare the creditor name, account number and amount with your own records, such as a hospital or clinic bill.
• The CFPB advises never giving sensitive financial information to a caller until you've confirmed they're legitimate.

It's also illegal under the FDCPA (15 U.S.C. § 1692e(3)) for anyone to falsely suggest that a communication is from an attorney.

Step 2: Dispute or ask for verification within 30 days

If the debt isn't yours, the amount is wrong, or you simply don't recognize it, send a written dispute within 30 days of receiving the validation notice. Under § 1692g(b), the collector must then stop collecting the disputed amount until it mails you verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment.

• Send it in a way you can prove, and keep copies.
• The CFPB offers free sample letters for disputing a debt and asking for more information.
• A collector that reports the debt must not report credit information it knows is false, and must not hide that a debt is disputed (§ 1692e(8)).

Step 3: Decide how you want contact handled

Under 15 U.S.C. § 1692c(c), if you tell a collector in writing that you refuse to pay or want it to stop contacting you, it must stop, except to confirm it's ending its efforts or to tell you about a specific action it intends to take, such as filing a lawsuit. This stops the calls and letters; it does not erase the debt.

Medical debt: extra things to check

Many collection letters from law firms involve medical bills. A few things are worth checking:

• Insurance. Ask the provider whether the claim was billed to your insurer correctly before you pay.
• Hospital financial assistance. Under section 501(r)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, tax-exempt hospitals must have a written financial assistance policy for emergency and medically necessary care. Ask the hospital whether you qualify, even if the bill has been sent to collections.
• Credit reports. The CFPB reported in 2023 that the three nationwide credit bureaus removed paid medical collections and medical collections under $500. A broader CFPB rule banning most medical debt from credit reports was vacated by a federal court in 2025, so check your own reports for errors and dispute them if needed.

If you are sued

A law firm may file a lawsuit to collect. The CFPB's advice is direct: respond to the lawsuit by the date in the court papers, yourself or through a lawyer. If you don't, the court can enter a default judgment, and depending on your state's law, the creditor may then be able to garnish wages or take other steps. See our guides on how to get a debt lawsuit dismissed and your chances in a credit card lawsuit.

If the collector breaks the rules

The FDCPA lets you sue a debt collector that violates it. Under 15 U.S.C. § 1692k, you can recover actual damages, additional damages of up to $1,000 in an individual case, and court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. The deadline is short: generally one year from the violation. Because a successful consumer can recover attorney's fees, it's worth asking a consumer lawyer whether you have a claim. You can also submit a complaint to the CFPB or your state attorney general.

Sources

• 15 U.S.C. § 1692g, Validation of debts: Cornell LII
• 15 U.S.C. § 1692c, Communication in connection with debt collection: Cornell LII
• 15 U.S.C. § 1692e, False or misleading representations: Cornell LII
• 15 U.S.C. § 1692k, Civil liability: Cornell LII
• Heintz v. Jenkins, 514 U.S. 291 (1995): Cornell LII
• CFPB, What should I do when a debt collector contacts me?: consumerfinance.gov
• CFPB, What should I do if I'm sued by a debt collector or creditor?: consumerfinance.gov
• CFPB blog, Medical debt: anything already paid or under $500 should no longer be on your credit report (May 8, 2023): consumerfinance.gov
• Consumers' Checkbook, Federal Judge Kills CFPB Rule that Banned Medical Debt in Credit Reports: checkbook.org
• IRS, Financial Assistance Policy and Emergency Medical Care Policy, Section 501(r)(4): irs.gov