How to Stop Collection Agency Calls for a Relative

Collection agencies may contact you if a relative has accrued a debt that the creditors are attempting to collect. This is often to obtain information about a relative's employment or living situation. According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, collection agencies must abide by certain practices when they are attempting to collect a debt. Debt collectors in most instances cannot give you any information pertaining to a relative's debt and are not allowed to harass you in an attempt to collect for your relative. Politely request that they stop calling you. If they refuse, you can take legal action.

Instructions

1

Keep track of any correspondence or calls you receive from the collection agency. Have a notebook available and write down dates, name of the collector and any information that was discussed.

2

Tell the collection agency upon first contact that you are not the creditor and you do not wish to be contacted again about another person's debt. Speak with a supervisor if available, or request a callback to ensure the debt collector gets the message that you are requesting no further contact.

3

Put your request in writing. Write a "cease and desist" letter to the collection agency and let the company know that you want no further contact in the form of letters or phone calls in reference to a relative's debt. Send the letter via certified mail. Keep any receipts or correspondence in a file in case you may need to resort to legal action.

4

Get a lawyer and sue the collection agency if it continues to contact you after you have sent the company a "cease and desist" letter. In addition, if the debt collector is harassing you, using insulting or derogatory language or being abusive, consult an attorney to stop the debt collector from bothering you about a relative's debt.