Stop Debt Collection
Stop Collection Calls
You can stop debt collectors from harassment and unfair practices - if you know your rights. Using the practical, step-by-step, easy-to-follow information in the credit repair manual, you'll learn:
Under the (FDCPA), you are allowed to challenge the validity of a debt that a collection agency states you owe to them. Use this letter and the following form to make the agency verify that the debt is actually yours and owed by you. Keep a copy for your files and send the letter registered mail.
There's no law that says you have to communicate with a debt collector by phone. If you hang up on a debt collector there is nothing they can do about it. But, if the collector continues to call you repeatedly even after you have hung up on them, they are in violation of the FDCPA.
DO You Receive Phone Calls And Letters Almost Every Day From Debt Collectors.
Can I Make It All Stop?
Yes. By writing a letter, you can stop the harassment. If you are being called constantly or receiving harassing mail from a debt collector, a federal law— requires that the collector stop contacting you if you tell the collector to stop in writing.
What Should The Letter Say? Where Do I Send It?
All you do is:
- copy all or part of the sample debt validation letter found here;
- insert your personal information; and
- mail it to the debt collector via certified mail. (you are creating your paper trail)
Keep a copy of the letter for your files. Send Certified Mail with Return Receipt so that you have proof that you sent the letter. If this is too costly, go to the post office and pay for a Certificate of Mailing. This costs about $1.
Once I Send A Letter, They Will Never Call Or Write Again?
Not exactly. Once you send the letter, they can only contact you to a) tell you that they are no longer going to try to collect; b) notify you that they may take some specific action, for example, file a lawsuit; or c) notify you that they are taking some specific action.
What If I Think The Amount They Are Asking For Is Wrong?
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you have the right to dispute that you owe the debt and to ask the debt collector for some proof that you owe the amount they are claiming within 30 days of receiving the first collection letter. If you would like to receive this information add the following to your letter:
“I am writing to request that you verify the above debt as required by 15 U.S.C. § 1692g. Please send such verification to me at the above address.”
If you don’t owe the money or if you think the amount is wrong, you should add that to the letter as well. Even if it’s been longer than 30 days since you received the first collection letters, many debt collectors will send verification if you ask for it.
What If The Calls and Letters Don’t Stop?
If you receive phone calls from a debt collector after you have sent a letter asking them to stop contacting you, write down the date and time of all calls. You have the right to sue the debt collection agency for money damages if the agency keeps contacting you.
What If I Don’t Work And My Only Money Comes From The Government?
Most government benefits, including Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, and Veteran’s Benefits, are exempt from collection. This means you can voluntarily pay debts using this money. BUT, if you refuse to pay your debts, the creditors cannot use the law to forcibly take
All you have to do to stop debt collectors from calling you is tell them that you prefer to communicate with them in writing. Written communication works in your favor because it gives you a record of everything that is said. If the debt collector violate the FDCPA, you have hard evidence that could lead to a lawsuit in your favor. Keep in mind that, by law, the debt collector does not have to honor this request.
The surest way to stop debt collectors from calling you is by sending what is known as a validation letter. In the letter, state that the collector should validate the debt. Note that the validation letter only applies to debt collectors, not the original creditor.
What Happens After the Debt Validation Letter
Once the collection agency receives your validation letter they can communicate with you once more, via mail, letting you know one of three things: that further efforts to collect the debt are terminated, that certain actions may be taken by the debt collector, or that the debt collector is definitely going to take certain actions.
When you send the validation letter to the debt collector, send it via certified mail with return receipt requested. This will provide proof that the letter was sent and received. If the debt collector communicates with you beyond the single instance allowed by law, this evidence will allow you to seek punitive action against the debt collector.
The best dispute letters to repair credit report rating see Template Dispute Letters Here