How to Stop Collection Agency Harassment in 5 Steps

Ad Disclosure: This article contains references to products from our partners. We may receive compensation if you apply or shop through links in our content. You help support My Millennial Guide by using our links. (read more)

Are you getting creditor harassment or debt harassment? Here is a list of pragmatic methods you can employ to protect your person from spurious collection practices.

Being in debt can be incredibly stressful. This stress can be exacerbated by various debt collection tactics creditors use that could be described as harassment.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects debtors from all unfair debt collection practices. However, creditor harassment can prevail despite the legal remedies.

Most debtors do not come forward regarding creditor harassment due to fears of losing assets or lawsuits because of the existing debt.

You don’t have to repay the debt just to stop being harassed by the creditors. Here is a list of pragmatic methods you can employ to protect your person from spurious collection practices:

How to Stop Debt Collector Harassment

Are you getting creditor harassment or debt harassment? Here is a list of pragmatic methods you can employ to protect your person from spurious collection practices.

Debt Collector Harassment

First, here are common questions people ask about bill collector harassment.

What is considered creditor harassment?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) says debt collectors can't harass, oppress, or abuse you or anyone else they contact. Some examples of harassment are repetitious phone calls that are intended to annoy, abuse, or harass you or any person answering the phone. Or using obscene or profane language.

Can I sue a creditor for harassment?

You can sue a debt collector for harassment and collect money for the damages. The FDCPA specifically gives you the right to sue a debt collector for harassment. If a debt collection agency violates the FDCPA, you have the power to sue for debt harassment.

How do I get debt collectors to stop calling?

To make a debt collector stop calling you, you can send a cease and desist letter. This letter should tell the debt collector to cease and desist from contacting you.

How many calls is considered harassment?

Just one call can be considered harassment if obscene or profane language is used.

1. Understand the Law

The Federal Trade Commission strongly advises debtors to understand the difference between debt collection practices that are permitted and those that aren’t.

Not all collection calls are disallowed or illegitimate, however, collectors cannot call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. on any given day, or during hours you are at work.

The collector cannot contact you if your employer does not allow the calls either. If a creditor violates these requirements, you are free to take legal action against them.

There may be other rules regulating debt collection calls in your state. Know what they are to protect yourself.

2. Ask the Creditor Formally to Stop Contacting You

If you don’t want a creditor or a collection agency to phone you, you have the right to formally request them to stop.

The request must be in written format, so asking them to do so over the telephone is not sufficient. Write a letter asking the creditor to stop calling you and mail it to the individual making the calls.

Do keep a copy of this letter with you as evidence. It’s recommended to send the letter via certified mail and get a return receipt. When you do this, the collector cannot claim not to have received it.

If you send this letter, the creditor can only call you to either inform you of ceasing contact or to inform you of any action he or she will be taken against you, such as filing a lawsuit.

3. Beware of Scams

Don’t assume that all collection calls you receive are for legitimate debts. Some debt collection calls are scams.

Spurious agents may happen to pick up your phone number and call you to collect a debt that you do not owe in reality. Therefore, be vigilant about debt collectors.

A detailed guide on the subject, written by Debt Consolidation, elaborates on the several steps consumers can take to protect themselves against such scam collection calls, you should start by asking questions.

For example, ask the caller about the company he represents, or ask for a number to call them “right back.” Legitimate creditors would readily provide this information. Even asking seemingly trivial questions like “what’s my full name,” can help keep the fraudulent callers away.

4. A Collection Call Must be Followed by a Written Notice

You don’t have to repay a debt immediately just because a creditor contacted you. Once a collection call takes place, the creditor or collection agency must send you a written validation notice specifying the amount you supposedly owe and the name of the individual to whom the money is owed.

This validation notice must be mailed within the first five days following the call. If you don’t get a validation notice, you don’t have to repay the amount, no matter what the collection agent tells you.

5. Do Not Heed the Empty Threats

Creditor harassment also includes deceptive practices with the intention to pressure the debtor to pay up. Collection agents or creditors may threaten you with a lawsuit, try to intimidate you by accusing you of check fraud or threaten to jail you if you don’t pay the amount.

Such actions are explicitly prohibited under the FDCPA. If you are subjected to such harassment, file a complaint against the instigator with the FTC. You can also call your attorney and seek legal remedies. Do not be intimidated by such tactics because your rights are protected under the FDCPA.

It’s important that you understand your rights to take action against creditor harassment, however, keep in mind that creditor harassment doesn’t result in the canceling of the debt.

You will still have to repay any legitimate amount you owe, no matter how you got into debt, even if you successfully complain about collection calls.

Ways to Pay Off Debt

Best Apps to Help You Save

 
Our Pick
 
  • Free budgeting tools
  • Retirement planner
  • Free portfolio advice
  • Robo plus human advisors
  • Automatically invests spare change
  • $20 new user bonus
  • Cash back at select retailers
  • Get control over your subscriptions
  • Stay on top of your spending
  • Put your savings on autopilot
  • Free budgeting tools
  • Retirement planner
  • Free portfolio advice
  • Robo plus human advisors
Our Pick
  • Automatically invests spare change
  • $20 new user bonus
  • Cash back at select retailers
  • Get control over your subscriptions
  • Stay on top of your spending
  • Put your savings on autopilot

About the author

Brian Meiggs
Hi, I'm Brian Meiggs! A personal finance expert, entrepreneur, and the founder of My Millennial Guide. My drive is to help others unlock the wealth of freedom and pave the path to financial success. With my bachelor's degree in finance, I help millennials follow the smart money in order to increase their earning potential and start building wealth for the future. I write regularly about side hustles, investing, and general personal finance topics aimed to help anyone earn more, pay off debt, and reach financial freedom. I have been quoted in major publications including Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, NASDAQ, Discover, GoDaddy, BiggerPockets, Fox News, Debt.com, Quick Sprout, Money Geek, MSN Money and many more!