How to Stop Debt Collector Calls
Debt collectors can be stopped from contacting you, it’s your legal right under federal law. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) received 121,700 complaints about debt collectors in 2021,. 56% of issues related to attempts to collect debt that the consumer didn’t owe. This highlights how important it is for consumers to know their rights and how to stop debt collector calls.
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), debt collectors must follow specific rules when attempting to collect debts. For instance, they cannot contact you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., and they’re limited to seven calls within a seven-day period. If you want to stop collection calls completely, you can send a cease and desist debt collection letter, which legally requires collectors to stop all communication with you.
This article explains exactly how to get debt collectors to stop calling, verify if the debt is legitimate, and what to do if collectors violate your rights. Whether you’re dealing with persistent creditors or just want debt collectors to stop calling, you’ll find practical solutions.
Contents
How to get a debt collector to stop calling
Federal law provides powerful tools to stop unwanted debt collector calls. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) exists specifically because debt collectors have historically used harassing methods to collect debts.
Official collection agency phone numbers
The phone numbers that follow are frequently used for collection calls in the United States.
+1 (855) 282-6353, 8005267145, 8668219635, 18009005150, 4142076549, 8888227422, 8009200482, 18444966394, 8004112884, 18003376884, 800-456-6622, 18007265162, 866.376.4584, 6088295254, 18774776855, +1 (312) 380-4033, 312-380-4033, 9529937500, 8664636743, 18009909130, 8337361266, +1 (800) 654-8818, +1 (844) 466-5519, +1 (800) 608-2581, 1-800-435-1415, 1-866-991-7358, 8557403445, 18008032523, 18663524737, 1-781-566-8000, 8004351415, 405694443, 7132589045, 626-303-1515, +1 (877) 999-1956, 888-489-6745
Understand your rights under the FDCPA
The FDCPA prohibits debt collectors from placing repeated or continuous calls with the intent to annoy, abuse, or harass you. Additionally, collectors are presumed to violate the law if they call you more than seven times within seven days or call within seven days after having a conversation with you about the debt. Notably, more than 50% of debt collection complaints involve attempts to collect debts that consumers don’t even owe.
Ask for a written validation notice
Within five days after first contacting you, debt collectors must send a written “validation notice”. This document must include:
- The amount they believe you owe
- The name of the creditor
- Instructions on how to dispute the debt in writing
Never provide personal information until you receive this validation notice, it could be a scam.
Use a cease and desist debt collection letter
Once you decide to stop all contact, write a cease and desist letter. This formal written notice requests that the debt collector stop contacting you immediately. Under the FDCPA, you have the right to tell a debt collector to stop contacting you, regardless of whether you owe the debt. Furthermore, the collector must honor your request.
Send your request by certified mail
Mail your cease and desist letter by certified mail with return receipt requested. This provides legal proof of delivery that becomes crucial if you need evidence later. Keep copies of all correspondence and proof of delivery for your records.
What happens after they receive your letter
After receiving your written request, the debt collector can only contact you for two specific reasons:
- To confirm they received your letter and will stop contacting you
- To notify you about specific actions they plan to take, such as filing a lawsuit
Remember that stopping communication doesn’t eliminate the debt. The collector may still pursue other legal means to collect, including filing a lawsuit or reporting negative information to credit bureaus.
How to verify if the debt is legitimate
Verifying a debt’s legitimacy serves as your first line of defense against fraudulent collection attempts. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reports that debt collection complaints rank among the top consumer concerns, with many involving attempts to collect invalid debts.
Request details about the original creditor
Under federal law, debt collectors must provide “validation information” either during their first communication or within five days afterward. This information must include:
- The collector’s name and mailing address
- The name of the creditor you owe the debt to
- The account number associated with the debt
- The current amount owed, including interest and fees
- Information about disputing the debt
If this information seems unfamiliar, you have 30 days to request additional verification in writing. Once requested, the collector must pause collection efforts until they provide proof.
Check your credit report for matching records
Review your credit reports for debts matching the collector’s claims. You can request one free copy annually from each major bureau (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) through AnnualCreditReport.com. Alternatively, order reports separately throughout the year to monitor your credit regularly.
Dispute the debt if it’s not yours
If you don’t recognize the debt after verification, send a written dispute letter within the 30-day window. State clearly that you dispute the debt and request verification, including original documentation. Once received, the collector must stop collection activities until they verify the debt with proper documentation.
Avoid admitting to the debt before verification
Never acknowledge ownership of an unverified debt or make even small “good faith” payments. These actions might:
- Restart the statute of limitations on old debts
- Be interpreted as accepting responsibility
- Eliminate certain legal protections
Throughout this process, maintain detailed records of all communications. If the collector cannot validate the debt, they legally must cease collection activities and remove the item from your credit reports.
How to stop collection calls without legal risk
Sometimes stopping all communication with debt collectors isn’t the best strategy. Even though you have the right to stop debt collector calls, knowing how to handle necessary interactions can protect your interests.
When it’s better to talk to the collector
Avoiding collectors entirely might actually worsen your situation. A debt collector can help you understand if the debt is truly yours and explain your options, even if you can’t pay immediately. Moreover, ignoring calls doesn’t make the debt disappear—collectors may pursue other collection methods, including lawsuits.
How to ask for written-only communication
If you prefer to avoid phone conversations but still need to communicate, you have the right to request written-only communication. Send a letter clearly stating that you want the debt collector to communicate with you only in writing, and provide your mailing address. Send this request via certified mail with return receipt requested to create proof of delivery. After receiving your request, debt collectors must honor it and can only contact you in writing.
What to say and what not to say on the phone
When speaking with collectors, keep your responses short and factual. Never provide sensitive financial information until you’ve confirmed they’re legitimate. Avoid admitting you owe the debt or agreeing to payment arrangements during initial conversations. Instead, respond calmly and ask for everything in writing.
How to keep records of all communication
Thorough documentation protects your rights in case of violations. Record the debt collector’s name, company, contact information, date and time of each interaction, and summary of the conversation. Save all written correspondence, voicemails, texts, and emails. According to regulations, debt collectors themselves must maintain records for three years after their last collection activity.
What to do if debt collectors keep calling
When debt collectors ignore your cease and desist letters and continue calling, you have several legal remedies available. Taking decisive action can help end harassment and potentially recover damages for violations.
File a complaint with the CFPB or FTC
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) accepts complaints about debt collectors and will contact the company on your behalf to help resolve the issue. Consequently, you’ll typically receive a response within 15-60 days.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also accepts complaints. Although they primarily use this information to identify patterns of abuse rather than resolve individual cases. Either agency can enforce federal debt collection laws when collectors violate your rights.
Report violations to your state attorney general
Your state attorney general can enforce state consumer protection laws that may offer additional protections beyond federal regulations. Many states have dedicated consumer protection divisions that can mediate disputes and take enforcement action against violators. This option often provides local assistance that complements federal protections.
Consider legal action for harassment
If collectors have seriously violated your rights, you may sue them in state or federal court. Altogether, you could receive up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus compensation for any actual harm caused. Although a successful lawsuit doesn’t eliminate legitimate debt, it can stop harassment and recover damages. Remember that FDCPA lawsuits must be filed within one year of the violation.
Work with a credit counselor or attorney
Multiple persistent debt collectors may indicate your debt has become unmanageable. In such cases, consider consulting with credit counseling agencies that can help create debt management plans. Alternatively, bankruptcy attorneys can evaluate whether filing for bankruptcy might be appropriate for your situation.
