If you believe you’re a victim of misrepresentation or fraud, you need to take immediate action to stop it. If you discover violations of the unfair and deceptive acts and practices (UDAP) laws, you can use this information as part of your defense should the collection agency or creditor file a lawsuit against you.

Once you discover the fraud or misrepresentation, you can talk to an attorney about initiating legal proceedings against the seller. But before you start investing lots of money on legal fees, try sending a demand letter describing the predicament and request a reimbursement of any monies you’ve paid. Retain copies of any original letters and never send original contracts, receipts, or canceled checks-only forward copies of these supporting documents.