One of the worst parts about falling behind on payments is the number of phone calls you’ll receive about it. Whether it’s from the creditor or a collection agency, it can be frustrating to get calls at all hours.
There is no question that calls from debt collections are annoying and even downright intimidating. You might have thought about changing your phone number or blocking the calls to get some peace and quiet. Those actions won’t help much, though. Fortunately, you can stop the calls in other ways.
Did you know that debt collectors are restricted with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?
To get started, you need to understand the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. This is an act that defines what debt collectors are and are not allowed to do to collect a debt.
For example, debt collectors need to make sure you owe a debt before they call. They are not able to call about debts you don’t owe. So, when a debt collector calls you, the first question should be if they can verify that the debt is yours. If there is no proof, then they can’t contact you any longer.
There are other rules in place, too, to help people get enough rest and avoid being harassed at odd hours. Debt collectors aren’t allowed to call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. according to your local time. If you’ve previously said that a time is inconvenient when speaking with them, they shouldn’t call then, either.
How can you stop debt-collection calls?
If you really want to stop debt-collection calls, the first way is to talk to the debt collector and to ask for them to communicate with you in writing. Written communication is generally better for you, since you will have a record of what the debt collector does and the interactions you have.
If calls keep coming, another option is to send a cease and desist letter. This letter can apply to debt collectors working as a third party collecting a debt. If your original creditor wants to contact you about the debt, they are still able to do that.
In the end, the best way to eliminate the debt-collection calls is to eliminate the debt. If you are dealing with financial trouble or are in over your head with debt, your attorney can talk to you more about the different options open to you. There are many debt-relief programs including bankruptcies, which can help people like yourself.