Disputed Accounts in collections

You did the right thing demanding validation. Next, I would send letters to the collectors and the credit bureaus saying that you will be suing (both) for violations of the fdcpa and the FCRA.

yeah, they did not validate anything to you. What they sent you is a common and worthless letter. Validation, in order to satisfy the requirements of the fdcpa, needs to establish both the legitimacy of the debt as belonging to you, as well as the right of the specific CA to collect on it. Simply sending you an amount owed is not going to cut it. It is ridiculous how many "debt collectors" have no clue what validation even means--the last time I told a guy on the phone that I wasnt going to pay a penny without proper validation, he said "look, buddy, I just validated the debt, your name and address are right in front of me on my screen so that makes it your debt...."

I am still trying to figure out how so many people can work in the collection industry and not have even a basic clue about what the law requires of them.

I would send another letter, certified mail RRR, and in that letter I would demand proper validation of the debt as set forth in the FDCPA. be sure to mention that sending another statement like they did the first time is a violation of federal law and that you will pursue any further violations legally. If that doesnt get them playing by the rules, then get a lawyer and take em to court.