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Last Updated: March 7, 2024
Strategies to Halt Unwanted Calls from Debt Collectors
Disclaimer: We are not qualified legal or tax professionals and are not giving advice. Always speak with a qualified professional before making any legal or financial decisions.
Are you constantly interrupted by stressful calls from debt collectors, even at the most inconvenient times? You're not alone.
Many find themselves trapped in this cycle, feeling powerless against the barrage of demands. But what if you could turn the tables?
In this guide, we'll walk you through your rights and provide you with actionable steps to silence those calls for good, reclaiming your peace of mind and control over your financial future.
If you'd rather speak to a debt specialist now, click here for a free consultation.
Know your rights with debt collectors
Debt collectors are permitted under federal law to contact you in order to recover the debt they're legally responsible for. If a debt collector has contacted you more than two times, without result, within three days then this is a violation of the law which enables you to take action against that debt collector through a complaint filed with your state attorney general or other relevant agency.
In short, yes this is legal and yes it's possible to file a complaint if you're over-contacted.
In addition, it can be illegal for third parties not affiliated with collecting agencies or creditors from contacting individuals about debts owed unless authorized by a written power of attorney documentation.
The 4th Amendment of the Constitution protects your home against unreasonable search and seizure. This means that debt collectors cannot come to your house unannounced.
If you are bothered by a debt collector on private property, do not answer the phone if possible or speak with them through an open window or door, but do not open it up for him. Debts collectors must respect person places, papers, and effects.
Learn more by reading Common Myths And Scare Tactics Used By Debt Collectors
How to stop debt collectors from calling?
This is a difficult answer because there are many reasons why debt collectors might be contacting you and if the collector has an established business they're most likely not going to stop without some form of payment or compensation.
If you've already contacted the company then that is the steps necessary, they will only contact you again if it's in compliance with what information was discussed with them.
If you want debt collectors to stop calling you and call your phone off the hook, then don't ignore them and hope that they'll just go away. Allowing them to contact you without any response is never a good idea.
Request a debt validation
If a debt collector contacts you, you have the right under the FDCPA to request debt validation within 30 days. This requires the collector to provide documentation that proves you owe the debt. Send your request in writing and keep a copy. If they can't validate the debt, they must stop collection efforts.
How to stop debt collectors from calling?
This is a difficult answer because there are many reasons why debt collectors might be contacting you and if the collector has an established business they’re most likely not going to stop without some form of payment or compensation.
If you’ve already contacted the company then that is the steps necessary, they will only contact you again if it’s in compliance with what information was discussed with them.
If you want debt collectors to stop calling you and call your phone off the hook, then don’t ignore them and hope that they’ll just go away. Allowing them to contact you without any response is never a good idea.
Keep good records of all debts and the contact information for each collector
It's definitely a good idea to keep contact records, but if you're being harassed by debt collectors, there are other things you should do too.
To keep documenting their contacts with you is smart because this poses a threat of legal action in the future. But it might be worth considering whether or not continuing to take phone calls from these people will serve your purpose better than hanging up on them outright.
Learn more by reading How To Deal With Debt Collectors When You Can’t Pay
Record conversations with debt collectors - they must identify themselves and inform you of their company's name
It's a good idea to record conversations with debt collectors if you're looking for legal protection, as it protects against faulty recordings and unclear statements. It's always best to be proactive and take action where necessary.
If you have been contacted by a debt collector and believe they have acquired misleading information, it is very costly for them with paid mail cancellations and sending individuals letters of verification or other documents.
Your recordings can help provide evidence of misleading information which can lead to costly expenses for their client company.
In some cases, mistakenly contacting the wrong person due to outdated records from another agency could also result in costly expenses when found out from phone number recorders.
Send a letter to the collection agency informing them that you will no longer accept calls from them unless it is an emergency
The main objective of the letter is to have the debt collector no longer contact you in regards to your outstanding account. To do that, it is necessary for you to state that you expressly asked them not to call or contact you any longer with respect to this account.
It's very important for the letter to be polite but still direct enough so they know not to bother contacting you any more about your debts.
If written correctly, a cease communication request could be effective in stopping collections agencies from calling you about your debt.
Send a cease and desist letter
If a debt collector continues to contact you after you've requested they stop, send a cease and desist letter. This formally demands no further communication. Outline previous requests to stop calling and state any further contact will be viewed as harassment. Send via certified mail and keep a copy.
Report any harassment by debt collectors to local law enforcement if necessary
If your debt collector is behaving in an out-of-bounds manner, you can report them to the police or other appropriate government agency.
You can also submit a complaint to the FTC, although they may have limited jurisdiction because the collectors are not present in person. Debt collectors typically target people who owe them money, so they will likely stop when you hold up some degree of law enforcement at their doorstep.
Inform them that you will be taking legal action if they do not stop contacting you.
Know your rights when it comes to debt collectors and know the necessary steps in bringing a legal case against unscrupulous agencies.
If they continue calling, let them know that you plan on initiating proceedings with state law enforcement or a local attorney's office.
File complaints with regulators
If a collector is violating debt collection laws, file complaints with regulators like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission. Outline the harassment in detail along with your request for them to investigate.
Request that your employer put in writing that you are not allowed to receive collections calls at work
The collector should be following the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and as such, they can only contact you to discuss the debts during specified times of the day.
If a consumer notifies a debt collector in writing that he or she requests that further communications about his or her debt be conducted by mail only, the debt collector may honor the request.
However, If they call you, it is because the debt has not been paid and they are following up on collections. Be sure to tell them when a better time to call would be, but there is no law that states they can’t call your workplace unless requested specifically.
A debt collector's calling often brings more stress into the person's life. It is important for people who are being called by bill collectors or debt collectors to know how these calls affect them emotionally and what steps can be taken to disarm some of the harassment from this type of undesired contact.
One way that people get relief from these calls or texts for collections bills is through finding out how far along in their repayment plan they are and hearing about any available financial assistance programs.
The longer the person has had to pay off their debt, the more likely they are to have poor credit scores and need financial assistance.
Hire a lawyer
If a debt collector ignores your requests and continues harassment, consider hiring a lawyer. An attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. This can help stop calls and recover damages for emotional distress, lost wages, and other costs.
FAQs
Conclusion
It's important to understand that since debt collectors are not government agents, they cannot use scare tactics or even threaten you. They can only collect what you owe them and report negative credit information if needed.
The key is knowing how these companies work so you know the best way to deal with your debt collector when they call. Feel free to contact our experts about what options are available to you for debt relief.
*Disclaimer: Pacific Debt Relief explicitly states that it is not a credit repair organization, and its program does not aim to improve individuals' credit scores. The information provided here is intended solely for educational purposes, aiding consumers in making informed decisions regarding credit and debt matters. The content does not constitute legal or financial advice. Pacific Debt Relief strongly advises individuals to seek the counsel of qualified professionals before undertaking any legal or financial actions.
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