How to Deal With Credit Calls

No one wants to be in debt, but when credit card bills get out of hand, debt collectors may call asking after the money you owe. The calls can get quite stressful--segueing into outright harassment at times--and as a consumer, you may wonder what you can do to stop them. Laws exist to protect consumers from harassing phone calls, and you can deal with the calls by taking a few simple steps.

Instructions

1

Write down a log of phone calls from credit collectors: when the call was made, how long it lasted and the topics discussed. Whenever possible, establish a paper trail of correspondence so that you know who you have talked to and what they said. If you can, record the phone calls when they arrive so you know exactly what is said. Some states require permission from the other party before you can record the call; check your local laws to ensure you are in compliance. If you receive any mail correspondence in addition to phone calls, keep them with your records so that it's all in a central place.

2

Ask for the creditor's name, the amount you owe, the name of the person speaking to you, a contact phone number and a contact address. Write all of it down and keep it with your log; never agree to pay any debt over the phone and never give out any private financial information, such as routing numbers, bank account numbers or credit card numbers.

3

Tell the person on the other end of the line that you will be corresponding by mail from this moment forward. Mail provides a more viable paper trail than telephone conversations, as well as allowing you to address the issues at your leisure instead of someone else's timetable.

4

Write a letter to the collection agency asking them to refrain from contacting you by phone. Send it certified mail through the U.S. Post Office, with a return receipt. That gives you proof that they have received your letter and by law cannot continue to contact you by phone.