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Step 1
Understand that you have the right not to be harassed. Debt collectors that harass you are violating New York City law.
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Step 2
Do not stand for intimidation. Debt collectors are not supposed to intimidate or threaten individuals in order to receive payment for outstanding debts. If a debt collector uses obscene language or threatens violence, report them to the Department of Consumer Affairs. They are operating contrary to New York City law.
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Step 3
Track how often and when the debt collector calls. New York City law prohibits debt collectors from calling before 8 AM and after 9 PM. Additionally, if a debt collector calls more than twice in one week, it is considered harassment and is a reportable offense.
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Step 4
Ensure your privacy is maintained. Debt collectors are not allow to publicize your debt or reveal your financial status to someone else
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Step 5
Report harassing debt collection calls to your job. New York City law prohibits debt collectors from contacting your employer for any reason except to locate you. They are prohibited by law from discussing your financial indebtedness with you employer, or family and friends for that matter.
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Step 6
Know your rights on disputed debts. If the outstanding debt is under dispute, the debt collector must stop contacting you until the dispute is settled. Understand that the dispute might not have been settled to your liking, but once some sort of settlement has been made, the debt collector may resume collection activities.
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Step 7
Ensure the debt collector stops bothering you once you put a request in writing. After you write to the debt collector, they have to stop bothering you. They can, however, send you a final notice informing you that they plan to sue, but they cannot continue calling.
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Step 8
Let your attorney handle it. If things get to the point where you have to hire an attorney, under New York City law, the debt collector must stop calling you and deal with your attorney exclusively.
