How can you Stop Debt Collector Calls?
Debt collectors are paid to collect money that you owe! So, is it any wonder that they will use any and all methods (legal and illegal) to get you to pay?
Do any of these situations sound familiar?
- You are sitting down to relax after a long day and the calls start!
- You check your phone messages and you have 14 calls...ALL IN ONE DAY!
- You start receiving calls from creditors at work?
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) outlines what a debt collector can and cannot do. If you are being harassed by collectors, you should click on the link above and print a copy!
The FDCPA says that debt collectors CANNOT do any of the following:
- Contact you before 8am or after 9pm (your time zone)
- Contact you at work if they are told that you are not allowed to get calls. This can be orally or in writing.)
- Contact third parties (including family or friends) other than to get information on how they can contact you. They CANNOT DISCUSS YOUR DEBT!
- Contact you after you have sent them a letter stating that you do not owe the money and request verification of the debt.
A Debt Collector is PROHIBITED FROM HARASSMENT, such as:
- Making threats of violence or harm
- Using profane or obscene language
- Call over and over again, many times/day!
A Debt Collector is also PROHIBITED FROM MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS, such as:
- Claiming to be an attorney or a government representative
- Claim or insinuate that you have committed a crime
- Claim that they are going to take "LEGAL ACTION", when in fact, they do not.
- Claim that they will garnish your wages or levy your bank account. They cannot even start to take legal actions until a claim has been filed and a SUMMONS is delivered to you.
Ok, but How do you STOP debt collector calls?
1) Send a letter like this:
Although I fully intend to repay this debt, it is impossible for me to do so at this time. I am in a very desperate financial position and cannot pay the minimum payments required for my account.
According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”) 15 USC, 1692c(c), I am making an official request that you immediately terminate any telephone contact with me or any members of my family regarding any matter concerning the collection of the alleged debt.
You have repeatedly called me at home and at work which must stop!
If you do not, then I will be in contact with the attorney general’s office of my state and file a complaint.
Sincerely,
(Print and sign your name)
2) Send the letter using REGISTERED MAIL, so you will have proof that they received it.
Once they have received your written notification to stop calling you, they may only call you one more time. Usually they will be either very nice or very nasty.
Either way, now the calls should stop.
We have been helping people with debt issues for many years.
If you would like a FREE EVALUATION of your situation, let us know!