Yes, that is what I am saying as for requried response. The DV process is intended to provide consumers with validation if they dont recognize a debt, but it does not require the debt colector to do so within any period.
Many people misinterpret and misapply the DV process, specifically in their assumption that it requires response with validation within a set period, and lack of response requires deletion of their credit reporting. To the contrary, neither the FCRA nor the FDCPA impose any requirment to delete credit reporting based on the DV process.
The legislative history of the FDCPA makes it clear that the intent of the DV process as set forth in FDCPA 809 is to provide consumers with a reprieve from active collection hassles from debt collectors by providing a cease collection bar if the consumer sends a DV request within 30 days after dunning notice.
The statute and decades of case law clearly recognize no requirement to respond to a DV sent under the FDCPA.
Two states (NY and TX) have passed their own versions of debt collection practices statutes that do include requirments to respond to a DV.
Only the Texas version also includes a requirment that the debt collector must delete their collection if they do not provide validation within 30 days, but permits them to reinsert once they do send validation.
