How to Get Rid of a Collection Agency

If you've ever been contacted by a collection agency, you know how embarrassing, frustrating and infuriating collection calls can be. Sometimes, financial difficulties can't be avoided, but the pressure becomes worse when a collection agency begins a barrage of aggressive phone calls demanding personal information and pressing you to borrow from friends or family to repay your debt. Fortunately for those with debts in collection, harassing calls can be stopped simply by writing a proper cease-and-desist letter.

Instructions

1

Request the collection company's correspondence address each time you receive a collections call. Collection companies are required by law to provide this address upon request. When the company says, "I'm calling from XYZ Company regarding an overdue amount," say "OK. Can I get your company's full name and correspondence address?" Once you have that information, there's no reason to continue the conversation. Simply hang up.

2

Write a cease-and-desist letter to the collection company, addressed to its correspondence address, that includes wording similar to this: "In accordance with Federal Statute 15 U.S.C. 1692(c), this letter represents written notice that you are to cease and desist oral communications with me and that all future contacts regarding the accounts you service shall be only in writing." Also include a warning that any violations of your request will be reported to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for prosecution. Close the letter with your signature written above your typed name.

3

Make a copy of the letter for your records and mail it first class, return receipt requested, at the post office. Mailing the letter this way will force the collections company to sign it, providing you with proof that the letter was both mailed and received. Return receipt service costs $3.80 as of December 2010, plus normal first-class postage for the letter.

4

Attach the returned mailing receipt to your copy of the collection letter in your records. You'll need it for proof if the collection company refuses to comply with the law. By the time you've received your return receipt, the collection calls from the company should have stopped.