A bill for a debt you've never heard of can be phantom-debt fraud, mistaken identity, or an old resold debt. Paste it for an instant read.
Paying or even confirming details on a debt you don't recognize can validate a scam or restart the clock on time-barred debt. Verify first.
Send a written validation request within 30 days demanding the amount, the original creditor, and proof it's yours. If they can't or won't provide it, that's a major red flag.
A 'debt' you don't actually owe — invented, already paid, discharged, or belonging to someone else — that a scammer or sloppy collector tries to collect. Always demand validation before paying anything.