Understand a confusing letter or notice before you respond

Fix it yourself in 3 steps

1. Take clear photos or a scan of every page of the letter, and cover your Social Security number, account numbers and signature first (the AI doesn't need them).
2. Paste the prompt below with the pages, and read the plain-English summary, the list of what's being asked, and the deadline it pulls out.
3. Put the deadline in your calendar, then call or write to the sender using the contact info printed on the letter itself (not one from a search result) to confirm anything you're unsure about before you pay or sign.

Copy this prompt

Help me understand this letter. Here are photos of every page: [attach pages]. I've covered my ID and account numbers. In plain English, tell me: 1) who sent it and why, in 2 sentences; 2) exactly what they are asking me to do, as a numbered list; 3) every date or deadline in the letter and what happens if I miss it, quoting the letter's own words; 4) any amount of money mentioned, quoted exactly; 5) the contact details printed on the letter. Then list up to 5 questions I should ask the sender. Do not guess about anything the letter doesn't say, mark anything unclear as "ask the sender", and don't tell me whether to pay or sign. Stop after the questions list.

Type your details in the boxes above the message, then tap Copy & open. Leave a box empty if you're not sure.

Tips from people who've done it

• This explains the letter; it is not legal, tax or financial advice. For anything with legal or money consequences, check with the sender or a qualified professional.
• Scam letters copy real ones. Only use phone numbers and websites printed on the letter or on the organization's official site you typed in yourself.
• Ask the AI to quote the exact sentence for each deadline so you can check it against the page.
• Keep the original letter and a copy of anything you send back.

Agents people used for this: Grok Bot, ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude.