AmtlyExplain my letter

Inkassoschreiben

Debt collection letter (Inkasso): is it real and what should you do?

From: A debt collection company (Inkassounternehmen) or a lawyer, for a creditor

An Inkasso company says it collects a debt for another company. It is not a court and it cannot force you to pay. But the claim may be real, and the letter may add fees and interest.

Got this letter? Get your personal explanation.Take a photo. See your deadline, amount, and next steps, in your language. First letter free.

Why you got this letter

What to do

  1. 1Check the claim first: Do you have a contract? Is the amount right? Did you pay?
  2. 2Check the company. The Verbraucherzentrale says every Inkasso company must be listed in the free Rechtsdienstleistungsregister. Lawyers are listed with their bar association.
  3. 3A reliable first letter names the creditor and says what the contract was about and when it was made.
  4. 4If the claim is right, pay. If you cannot pay in full, ask for instalments. Be careful with extra fees for a payment plan. They must be stated clearly.
  5. 5If the claim is not right, object in writing promptly. Say why. Send it by Einwurfeinschreiben and copy the original company.
  6. 6Do not pay a part of a claim you dispute. Do not sign anything you do not understand, and do not let collectors into your home.
  7. 7Ask the company for proof: the power of attorney or assignment document, the name of the original creditor, and a list of interest and costs. The Verbraucherzentrale offers a free Inkasso-Check.

Deadline

The deadline in the letter is set by the company. It is not a court deadline. A reliable company gives you a reasonable time. Do not ignore it. Answer before it ends.

If you do nothing

Interest and costs can grow. The creditor or the Inkasso company can ask a court for a Mahnbescheid. If you then do not object in time, a Vollstreckungsbescheid can follow. The Verbraucherzentrale says threats of a Schufa entry are often exaggerated. A Schufa entry is only allowed for a justified claim after at least two reminders, and not after a written objection.

Words in this letter

Inkasso
Debt collection by a company on behalf of a creditor.
Forderung
The claim for money.
Rechtsdienstleistungsregister
The free public register of collection companies.
Vollmacht / Abtretungsurkunde
Power of attorney, or the document that transfers the claim to the company.
Inkassokosten
The collector's costs. They are capped by what a lawyer could charge for one assignment.

Example reply

Dispute the claim and ask for proof. Send by Einwurfeinschreiben.

[Vor- und Nachname]
[Anschrift]

An: [Inkassounternehmen, Adresse]
Kopie an: [ursprünglicher Gläubiger, falls bekannt]

[Ort], [Datum]

Betreff: Ihr Schreiben vom [Datum], Aktenzeichen [Aktenzeichen] – Widerspruch gegen die Forderung

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

ich widerspreche der in Ihrem Schreiben genannten Forderung über [Betrag] Euro.

Bitte senden Sie mir folgende Unterlagen:
1. den Nachweis Ihrer Vollmacht bzw. der Abtretung der Forderung,
2. den Namen des ursprünglichen Gläubigers sowie Angaben zum Vertrag (Datum, Gegenstand, Art des Vertragsschlusses),
3. eine Aufstellung der Hauptforderung, der Zinsen und der Inkassokosten mit Berechnung.

Bis zur Klärung zahle ich nichts.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen
[Unterschrift]
[Vor- und Nachname]
Show English translation
[Full name]
[Address]

To: [collection company, address]
Copy to: [original creditor, if known]

[Place], [date]

Subject: Your letter dated [date], reference [reference] – objection to the claim

Dear Sir or Madam,

I object to the claim of [amount] euros named in your letter.

Please send me the following documents:
1. proof of your power of attorney or of the assignment of the claim,
2. the name of the original creditor and details of the contract (date, subject, how it was concluded),
3. a breakdown of the principal claim, interest and collection costs, with the calculation.

I will not pay until this is clarified.

Kind regards
[Signature]
[Full name]
Got this letter? Get your personal explanation.Take a photo. See your deadline, amount, and next steps, in your language. First letter free.

Questions people ask

Do I have to answer an Inkasso letter?

You do not have to pay a claim that is not valid. But it is wise to answer in writing, because the claim can go to court. The Verbraucherzentrale advises you to object promptly in writing if the claim is not right.

How much interest and cost is allowed?

Interest up to five percentage points above the base rate is allowed. It must be listed with the rate and period. Collection costs are capped at what a lawyer could charge for one assignment on the same case. A company that bought the debt may not charge collection costs. Account maintenance fees are not payable.

Is it a scam?

Check the company in the Rechtsdienstleistungsregister and check the creditor, contract and date. If you never had a contract, object in writing, and ask a Verbraucherzentrale for advice. Criminals sometimes send fake letters.

Will it go on my Schufa record?

The Verbraucherzentrale says a Schufa entry is only allowed for a justified claim after at least two reminders. It is not allowed after you objected in writing.

Sources

Updated 2026-10-20. This page explains a common type of letter; it is not legal advice. Your letter may differ, so check its dates and amounts.