debt validation question

It does not matter if it is a collection agency or a collection law firm, a collector is a collector. The FDCPA applies uniformly to all kinds of third party debt collectors. In the meantime the only thing you can do is gather all your paper work related to the debt in question, go through them with a fine tooth comb and see if you can come up with a valid defense or some way to dispute the debt.

Unless you are in Texas, there is no time frame for them to respond to the debt validation. They just can't continue collection efforts while under a DV. You can try to force a violation by disputing the tradeline on your report...if they verify it then that is considered continued collection activity and they violate. If they call you demanding money, they violate. If they mail you another demand letter, that is a violation as well. The only thing they can do is send you validation....but be warned, to them validation will basically be a letter saying 'you owe so and so and we are now collecting on this account so you owe us such and such'.

It will depend on you as to where to go after that.