How to Write a Letter to Stop Bill Collectors

It is best to send your letter by certified mail so there is a confirmation of receipt.

Bill collectors are not allowed to call you at work, call your home before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., speak to you abusively or call your family or friends? Under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act you have the right to demand the debt collection agency stop contacting you by writing what is referred to as a cease and desist letter. Your request must be in writing, and it is strongly recommended that you send the letter by certified mail.

Things You'll Need

• Collection agency address
• Account number(s)
• Certified mail labels

Instructions

1. Use the letter sent to you by the collection agency for relevant address and account number information. Be sure to include the account number reference. Many debt collection agencies are second party owners of the original account so the account number may differ from the original account number.

2. Begin with something that addresses your reason for writing. For example, you could say, "This serves as your legal notice that I dispute any obligation or debt related to the above-referenced account number. And therefore, due to frustration of purpose, I hereby issue legal notice to you that I formally dispute any obligation or debt to (company's name)."

3. Use the language from the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. An example would be: "Be advised that I do not intend to work with your company or any other collection agency under any circumstances relating to this matter. Therefore, pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. section 805, this letter serves as my official notice, and withdrawal of any previous consent, to stop any and all contact with me or anyone acquainted with me regarding this matter and the attempt to collect this disputed debt."

4. Attach a paragraph that addresses your ability to file a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General of your state to ensure there is no further contact. A simple paragraph that states, " Failure to comply with the demands of this cease and desist letter will result in my filing a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General of the State of (name your state).

5. 

   Make copies of your letter along with the letter from the debt collector.

   Conclude your letter with a salutation and sign your name. Attach a copy of the debt collection agency letter to your letter. Make copies of both and keep them for your records.

6. Attach a certified mail label with a return receipt to the envelope and send the cease communications letter to the collection agency. All communication should stop. There are repercussions in many states, including fines paid to you, if the collection agency doesn't honor your request.

Tips & Warnings

• A cease and desist letter doesn't in any way alleviate your obligation to the debt.

References

• Credit Infocenter: Credit Collector Harassment: What Are Your Rights?
• Credit Infocenter: Cease and Desist Letters
• Federal Trade Commission: Fair Debt Collection Practices Act