How to Stop Debt Collection Calls

Getting a call from a debt collector can make your stomach drop—even if you’re usually calm about money. Debt collectors might pick up the phone and call you if you're behind on a debt or have had an account turned over to a collection agency. This can be stressful, inconvenient, or even embarrassing. 

The good news is that you have rights. You can ask debt collectors to stop calling you at work or to only contact you during certain hours. You can even get them to stop calling completely—though that's not always a good idea.

We'll tell you how to stop debt collection calls, why you probably shouldn't, and what you can do instead.

How to Stop Debt Collection Calls

The best way to stop debt collector calls is to pay what you owe. If you can't afford to pay your full debt, you can try to negotiate a settlement agreement to pay a lower amount and have the rest forgiven.

You also have the option to simply tell debt collectors to stop contacting you. Debt collectors have to stop all contact—other than legal notices and to tell you they're not going to contact you—if you send a written cease-and-desist letter. Cutting off contact could have negative consequences, however, as the debt collector could feel it has no option but to sue you.

Why you might want to stop debt collector calls

There are a lot of reasons you may want to stop debt collectors from calling you, including:

• You can't afford to pay what you owe

• You're not sure that you even owe the money

• The debt might be too old to be legally collectible

• You don't want your family members to be called

• You're embarrassed by calls to your cell phone, which might come when you're with other people

• You're inconvenienced by calls to your workplace 

• You're trying to save money to settle the debt and don't want to be called until you have it 

Or maybe you're just upset and want some time to think without feeling harassed. Whatever the case, you have options under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA. 

The FDCPA dictates what debt collectors can—and can't—do when trying to collect. This includes giving you power over when and how debt collectors contact you, and the ability to stop contact entirely. Closing down the lines of communication is rarely the right answer, though, and could even lead to a lawsuit if the debt collector gets desperate.

What to Do When a Debt Collector Calls You

When you get that first call, email, or letter, take a breath. You could even just hang up without saying anything if you're completely freaked out. Don't worry—they'll call back, but you can collect your thoughts and be ready for them. 

Unless you recognize the debt and already know how you want to handle it, don't make any promises to pay or even admit to owing the debt. Because maybe you don't. 

Here's what to do.

Make them prove that you owe the debt

If you haven't already gotten a debt validation notice or letter, ask for one before you go any further. Written debt validation should provide the details of who you owe, the total amount owed, and when you incurred the debt. The FDCPA requires debt collectors to provide you with a debt validation notice within five days of when they first contact you. 

Make sure the debt is collectible

Even if you owe the money, you might not have to pay it. The statute of limitations is a law that governs how long a creditor or debt collector has to sue you for payment. The statute of limitations varies by state and type of debt. 

Once your debt has gone unpaid for a time that exceeds your state's statute of limitations, your account becomes time-barred. This means you can't be sued to collect the debt. If a creditor or collector tries to sue you anyway, be sure to respond to the lawsuit and be prepared to show that your debt is time-barred.

Tell debt collectors how you want to be contacted

While figuring out what you want to do, you may decide you'd rather not hear from the debt collector. The FDCPA says you have the right to make collectors stop contacting you completely or to specify how and when you want to be contacted. 

Maybe you don't want to be called but emails or letters are okay. Or perhaps you just want them to stop calling you at work but don't mind if they call your cellphone. You have a lot of power over when and how they contact you. Some debt collectors may stop calling completely if you ask them to stop over the phone, but they don't have to comply unless you send a written letter.

Decide what you want to do

You have several options when you're contacted by a debt collector: 

• Dispute the debt. If it's not yours, get your proof together and be prepared to go to court if necessary.

• Ignore the debt. This is a valid response to a time-barred account but a terrible idea if you legitimately owe the debt and it's still within the statute of limitations.

• Pay the debt. Assuming that you can.

• Negotiate the debt. Do you want lower payments? More time? To settle it with a smaller payoff?

Keep good records

Collect any paperwork you have concerning the debt. Keep any letters from the collector, download copies of emails and texts, and get a copy of anything sent to family members. Also take notes of any phone calls—who you spoke to, what you discussed, and any promises made on either side. You might need this in court, either to dispute the debt or to take action against the collector for violating any rules. In some states, you can even record calls between you and a debt collector. 

Mistakes to Avoid When Talking to Debt Collectors

Dealing with debt collectors doesn’t have to be stressful. Don’t let yourself be pressured into making mistakes. Here’s what not to do when a collector reaches out.

Don’t panic or get flustered

Debt collectors can be persistent, but it’s important to stay calm. Getting angry or emotional won’t help. It can sometimes make things worse. Approach the situation with a clear mind and a steady voice. Remember: at every step of this conversation with debt collectors, you have legal rights and the power to make choices about how to move forward. 

Don’t give out personal information right away

Collectors may ask for your Social Security number. They may also ask for your bank account details or other sensitive information. They are the ones who have to prove you owe the debt (by sending you a validation notice), not the other way around. Verify who you’re talking to. Keep sensitive details to yourself. Scammers often pose as debt collectors to steal personal information.

Don’t acknowledge the debt or make promises to pay 

It's easy to feel pressured to pay immediately. That’s exactly how debt collectors want you to feel. 

Don’t acknowledge the debt, offer to pay, or make a partial payment. Your actions could inadvertently reset the clock on the statute of limitations.

Instead, ask for a debt validation notice or debt validation letter, if the debt collector hasn’t sent this to you already. If you don’t recognize the debt, have already paid the debt, or some details are wrong or incomplete, feel free to send a request in writing to ask for more information or dispute the debt. 

If the debt is valid, take the time to assess your finances first. Think carefully about what resolution would work best for you before you open up that conversation.

Don’t ignore the debt collector

It might be tempting to avoid calls and letters. That can lead to more aggressive collection tactics, including lawsuits. Instead, respond promptly and assertively. Ask for written verification of the debt in the form of a debt validation letter, and ask for more details if you’re not satisfied that the debt is really yours to pay. Keep all communication in writing when possible.

Don’t forget that you have rights

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) gives you rights when you’re dealing with third-party debt collectors. You have the right to fair and respectful treatment. Debt collectors can't harass you, lie to you, or use unfair practices to collect a debt. If they cross the line, report them to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). You can also report them to your state’s attorney general.

Note that the FDCPA only applies to third-party debt collectors—it doesn’t set the rules for original creditors. However, many states have their own regulations for debt collection, some of which do apply to the original creditor.

By knowing what not to do, you’ll be better prepared to handle debt collection calls. You can do so in a way that protects your rights and helps you manage your debt well. You’re not alone in this. There are always resources and support available to help you through it.

How to Write a Cease-and-Desist Letter

Cease-and-desist letters are legally binding notices requiring debt collectors to stop contacting you. They're easy to create. All you need is the debt collector’s name, address, and your account information. Then write your letter.

In your letter, tell the debt collector to cease and desist all contact with you, your family, and your friends in reference to any alleged debt you owe. Don't discuss the debt at all unless you want to state that you're not acknowledging it or admitting it. Just tell collectors to stop communicating with you.

Also remind them that if they don’t comply with your request, you’ll file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your state's attorney general's office.

Your letter should contain:

• The date

• Your name and address

• The name of the debt collection agency

• The account number on the debt

Send it with a delivery receipt request and keep a copy for your files.

What Happens When You Send a Cease-and-Desist Letter to Bill Collectors?

Cease-and-desist letters aren't magic. Debt collectors can still contact you to let you know they’re ending all communication with you or to inform you if they plan to file a lawsuit to collect the debt.

Understand that a cease-and-desist letter may stop debt collectors from contacting you, but it does not wipe out your debt in any way. If the debt is legitimate, you still owe the money. Worse, your balance will likely continue to grow as interest and fees pile on. 

If the debt keeps growing and the debt collector can't contact you, they may feel the only option left is to sue you for the money. Should you lose the lawsuit, the court could allow the debt collector to garnish your wages or freeze your bank account.

How to Stop Collection Calls at Work

The FDCPA allows you to tell debt collectors to stop calling or emailing you at work, particularly if you're not allowed to get personal calls while on the job. Tell the debt collectors the calls are inconvenient or not allowed at work and to only contact you at home.

Make sure to note the date and time you requested collectors stop calling you at work. For good measure, write them a letter with a formal request to stop contacting you at your place of employment.

Can Debt Collectors Text or Send PMs on Social Media?

Debt collectors may contact you through email and text messages within reason, as long as they don't violate your privacy. For example, debt collectors can send you debt validation notices via e-mail as well as regular mail. 

However, FDCPA protections include digital communication, and it covers contact via text, social media, and other modern methods of communication. Debt collectors can't communicate with you through a social media platform if the message is viewable by the general public or your social media contacts. And debt collectors are required to tell you that they are debt collectors if they send you a private message via social media like Facebook or LinkedIn.

What if Debt Collectors Are Calling the Wrong Number?

Some debt collectors buy old debts from the original creditors and try to collect. This can lead to mistakes and wrong number calls. You might be subjected to annoying calls about a debt that isn't even yours.

Here’s how you stop debt collection calls for someone else’s debt:

• Answer the phone and explain you’re not the person they’re looking for.

• Tell them that they are calling the wrong number.

• Send a cease and desist letter to them.

• If they continue to call, file a complaint with the FTC.

As always, keep a record of when debt collectors call you, what you say to them, and the date on which you sent your cease and desist letter.

How to Stop Collection Calls if You're Working With a Debt Relief Company

One way to potentially get out of debt faster and for less than you currently owe is by working with a debt relief company. Debt relief or debt settlement means negotiating an arrangement with your creditor in which it accepts less than what you owe as payment in full.

Most consumers who go through debt settlement stop making their payments to creditors. They put money aside until they have saved enough to make a settlement offer. However, creditors who are not getting paid may start calling or they might turn over the debt to a collector.

Remember that the law treats calls from an original creditor, like your credit card company, differently than it does calls from a collection agency. Original creditors are not covered under the FDCPA, and they may be able to keep calling you. It depends on the laws of the state in which you live.

If you're working with a debt relief company and are getting collection calls, the calls should stop (but are not guaranteed to) once your creditor and the debt settlement company reach an agreement.

During the settlement process, you can choose to communicate with collectors, ignore the calls, or tell the collectors to stop calling. Your debt settlement company might be able to offer advice about debt collection calls.

There is no guarantee that working with a debt settlement company will stop all debt collection calls. But if you choose to exercise your rights, you should be able to control when and how debt collectors contact you.