<prompt> Human: Dear Personal Finance, I began to receive calls from a credit collection company at my work. This is from an apartment community I moved out of in June, which then sold the debt Im assuming to this creditor. The creditor informed me that there is no payment plan option, it has to be paid off within a few weeks, AND they are adding interest. I am JUST now getting financially stable enough to catch up on my bills and get things sorted, but Id like to pay off all of my debt in the next year. My questions are this1 Does such debt exist to where they can add interest and refuse payments, or are they just trying to intimidate me? When the receptionist informed the agent on the phone that I was not allowed to accept personal phone calls, he asked to verify my employment - is this normal?2 Other than getting a full list of my credit report, what are some steps I can take to start taking back my credit. Approx 6-7000 in debt 7000 left on my car  <response>: 1. Send them a letter, certified mail with return receipt, with your name, the account number, and whatever other info, that says you dispute validity of the debt and you will only communicate with them in writing. Use a template like this: 