How to Avoid and STOP Debt Collection Harassment

Stressed Out Over Harassing Collection Calls?

If collectors are calling you day and night, numerous times in a row, threatening to call your neighbors, friends, family, or your job, there are things that you can do to STOP this harassment. You have rights and it's time that you enforce them.

Things You'll Need

• Pen and Paper
• Voice recorder
• Computer & Printer

Instructions

1. A collector can't legally harass you. They can't call over and over again, several times in a row! They can't call or threaten to call family members, friends, neighbors, or your employers. If they try, tell them that you know your rights and you will take legal action.

2. If you have already been dealing with a collector who refuses to stop harassing you, next time you answer the phone, before anything is said, politely inform them that you will be recording this conversation (even if you're not).

3. Next, ask the collector for their name, company name, and address. If they refuse to give you that information, then inform them that you will not continue the conversation. And remind them that you have recorded this conversation and their refusal to give you their information.

4. Once you have their information, inform them that they are to stop calling you and anyone else you know, and that you will be sending them a "Cease Letter" (which just tells them to stop calling). Make sure you send the letter certified mail.

5. Also keep a log, a phone bill or caller id, of all phone calls. If you do have a collector that is harassing you, you want to have documentation of how many times they have called. If they've contacted your friends or family members, ask them to give you a copy of their phone records.

   Sometimes collector's block their calls. Record a message on your voicemail or answering machine that no block calls will be accepted. When their calls are not picked up, they'll unblock them and then you can have records of their calls.

6. If you are a friend or a family member of someone who is being pursued by collectors, you may have been contacted and asked to provide contact information on the person who is being pursued by that collector. Before you agree to provide the information ask the collector their name, company name, phone number, and address. Then inform them that it is illegal to give out personal information over the phone, as it violates privacy laws. You shouldn't receive any more calls.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember always inform collectors at the beginning of a conversation that you will record the call.

• Always get the collection agent's name, their company name, and address.

• Don't be intimidated. These people hate their jobs and are driven by commission, they are not the law and have no special powers.

• Assert your rights. Tell them to stop contacting you over and over, stop contacting people other than you, and that you will sue them if they don't cease.

• Always remain polite and calm, but be assertive. Let them loose their cool, and if they say something incredibly inappropriate that is grounds for a law suit. So don't be afraid to bait them.

Resources

• Consumer Law
• Lawmo