What this letter actually is

It is a formal notice of demand sent by us on behalf of a person or company that says you owe them money. It is not a lawsuit: it is the step before one — notice that if this is not resolved, the claimant may file in small claims court.

We sent it by U.S. Certified Mail with a return receipt so there is a record that you received it, and when. That is all the letter does: create a record.

How to tell it is real (and not a scam)

Fake demand letters exist and they are a business. Check these before you pay a cent:

  • Reference and tracking: the letter must carry a D123-XXXXXX code and a USPS tracking number you can look up at usps.com.
  • Who gets paid: payment goes to the claimant. If you are asked to wire money to a stranger, use crypto or buy gift cards, it is fraud.
  • We never collect for you: we are not a collection agency and we never receive the claim money.
  • No criminal threats: “you will go to jail”, “police are on the way” or “you have 2 hours” are scam signals.
  • Correct domain: we verify letters only at sue123.com. Any other domain is fake.

What to do in the next 14 days

  1. Read the whole letter and note the amount, the claimant and the deadline.
  2. Verify the reference on our verification page to confirm it came from us.
  3. Check whether the claim is right. Do you owe it? Part of it? None of it?
  4. Respond in writing — paying, negotiating or disputing. Silence is the worst option.
  5. Keep everything: the letter, the envelope and your response.

Your three real options

1. Pay. If the claim is correct, paying within the deadline closes it and avoids court, costs and interest. Always get a written receipt marked “paid in full”.

2. Negotiate. You can offer a partial payment or a plan. Put it in writing and ask for a commitment not to sue if you perform.

3. Dispute. If you do not owe it, respond in writing with your reasons and evidence. If the claimant files anyway, you will have your chance to defend in court.

What happens if you ignore it

The letter does not go away. With no response, the claimant may file in small claims court. If they win and you do not show up, they will likely get a default judgment. A judgment can be collected through wage garnishment, a bank levy or a property lien, depending on the state — and it can hit your credit report.

Ignoring is not a strategy. It is usually the most expensive option.

What NOT to do

  • Do not pay a personal account, in crypto, or with gift cards.
  • Do not call a number that is not on the letter or on our site.
  • Do not admit the debt in writing if you plan to dispute it.
  • Do not throw away the envelope: the postmark and date are evidence.

Think the letter is a mistake?

It happens: wrong address, similar name, identity theft. Email cases@sue123.com with the reference and we will tell you who sent it and how to respond. If the claim is fraudulent, we want to know that too.