How to Get Debt Collectors to Stop Calling

It's emotionally wearing to be struggling financially and then cope with harrassing bill collectors. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act places some limits on their behavior. Here's the Federal Trade Commission's advice on how to apply this to your situation.

Instructions

1




Within five days after you are first contacted, the collector must send you a written notice telling you the amount of money you owe. The notice should also include the name of the creditor that you owe the money to and what you should do if you think you do not owe the money.

2




Within thirty days of receiving the written notice, send a letter to the collection agency stating that you do not owe the money. This only works if the debt is a mistake or already paid. The collector is not allowed to contact you after that unless they can send you proof of the debt. This could be a copy of the bill for the amount you owe.

3

If you owe the debt, but want to stop the collector from contacting you, take this step. Write a letter to the collector telling them to stop contacting you.
Once the collector gets the letter, they are not to contact you again except to say there will be no further contact or to inform you of a specific action. When you send this letter, it does not make the debt go away. The debt collector or your original creditor can still sue you.

4




Report any problems you have with a debt collector to your state Attorney General's office and the Federal Trade Commission. Many states have their own debt collection laws, and your Attorney General' s office can help you determine your rights.
To file a complaint go to the website listed below or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). It's a free call.