You know you have debts—perhaps even from past financial mistakes—and you’re working to pay them off, even if you can’t do it all at once. Constant calls from collection agencies don’t change that reality. Can you ask them to stop calling? Yes. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects people like you from abusive debt collectors when dealing with overdue payments and accumulated debt. Among other protections, the law covers harassment and intimidation by collectors—calling too frequently can be considered harassment.
No matter how many times they call, when they call, or where they call you, you have the legal right to tell them to stop contacting you. Even if they are following the rules, you can still request that they stop if you simply no longer want to receive calls. It’s time to learn how to make debt collectors stop calling you.
How to make a debt collector stop calling you
If you are receiving multiple calls per day—even late at night—you have the right to demand that they stop. For the request to be legally binding, you must make it in writing.
Once you notify a debt collector in writing that you want them to stop contacting you, they are no longer allowed to contact you again except to:
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Confirm that they will stop contacting you, or
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Notify you that your creditor may take a legally permitted action, such as filing a lawsuit.
Keep in mind: getting them to stop calling does not mean the issue is resolved. Your creditor may still take legal action or report the debt negatively to a credit reporting agency.
What to include in your letter
Be as specific as possible. Your letter should include:
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Who they are (the collection agency) and who you are
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Which debt you are referring to (account number, original creditor, amount)
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A clear instruction stating that you do not want to receive further contact
Once they receive your letter, they must stop calling. If they continue contacting you, they may be violating the law—or it could be a sign of a scam.
Where to file a complaint and find sample letters
If you experience problems with debt collectors, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372). The CFPB also provides sample letters that you can use to prepare your official “cease contact” request.
Contact Safe Credit Solutions
You don’t have to handle this situation alone. At Safe Credit Solutions, we can help you deal with debt collector harassment. It’s just one of the services we offer—we also work with you to improve your credit score and strengthen your financial situation.
We’re only one call away.
