<prompt> Human: Hi PF,Ive read the wiki but still have some lingering questions about a recent letter sent to my deceased infant daughter from a debt collections agency, claiming she owes a 50 debt I know, I know with a brief reference to the name of the hospital she was born at.As far as Id been aware, we had paid all of her medical bills, so this claimed debt is news to me. Ive got a form letter written up and ready to send back to the debt collector asking all the right questions, but Ive got this nagging feeling that rather than achieving my hope that theyll figure this is too much work for 50, itll instigate a lengthy and painful process of communicating with them. Im tempted to just pay the 50 directly, but then I feel like if theyre one one of these zombie debt collectors, Im just making the problem worse for everyone else by incentivizing their behavior.Im looking for advice on the best way to proceed, including an answer to this question -- since the debt is addressed and written to my deceased daughter, is my credit in danger if I simply ignore it? Can I wait until they ask me to pay it?Assistant: first of all, Im really sorry about your daughter. I can not even imagine. I think your instincts about addressing it are correct. But I think it might be best if you let someone else do it. Do you have someone you trust who can call for you? Maybe a sibling or parent? I think the first step is to have your representative call the hospital and see if there is actually a debt. Second, google the bill collector and see what you can find. If they are a scam, it would be pretty obvious. Human: Kind thanks. She passed over a year ago and were just getting this debt claim now, so the strongest period of grief has passed and I think I can handle the calls myself. My strongest emotion at this particular moment is annoyance.And no, I dont think the collections agency is a scam wasnt sure if there was a prohibition on posting the nameurl, but that doesnt mean theyre not doing happy to take free undeserved money.  <response>: I do not think you should take it upon yourself to determine if a valid debt exists. Theyre making the demand legally they must provide the proof.I would write them a letter informing them as blunt as possible that they have alleged your deceased infant child owes them a debt, which you deny, and they should provide proof of such debt via certified mail or else any further contacts will be deemed harassment. 