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By admin, July 1, 2010 11:00 pm

How To Stop Creditors Calling: Tell Them To Cease & Desist

No matter what walk of life you come from you probably count debt collection agencies as the scum of the Earth. They are the kind of operation that works down in the infested underbelly of society, squeezing money out of those least able to pay by using questionable tactics.

While the debt collection industry has never been popular, it has done nothing to alleviate this bad image. In fact, more and more collectors are employing aggressive tactics, tactics that walk a fine line between what is legal and what isn’t. As a result of increased business, and as a result of these extra-legal tactics, complaints against the collection industry top the charts. During the first half of 2009, FTC complaints against collection firms had risen nineteen percent when compared to the same period in 2008.

You do not have to be a victim of debt collectors and you do not need to be forced by them into making payments that you can’t afford without compromising necessities such as shelter, food, and utilities. No one has the right to demand this of you and certainly no one has the right to be abusive to you or to threaten you in any way.

At the Federal level, there is a law called the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or the FDCPA. Under this law, you have the right to demand that collection agencies stop contacting you by phone. You also have the right to have the debt verified and to know whether or not the collection agency has the right to collect it.  

The next time a debt collector phones you, immediately get the name of the company and ask for a fax number or a mailing address. Ask, as well, for a reference number for your file. They may ask why you want this: tell them the truth: you want the calls to stop. Some may hang up on you at this point, but most will be cooperative. If they hang up on you, look up the company name in Google to find the address.

Now you need to craft your “cease and desist” letter. Stick to a format appropriate for a business letter, and tell them two things:

1: To stop contacting you by phone per the FDCPA
2: To verify the debt and their right to collect per the FDCPA

While a cease and desist letter will not dissolve the debt, it will at least get the collection agencies off your back for a while as you figure out a permanent solution.

About the Author

Are you afraid to answer your phone because debt collectors keep harassing you? Stop the calls today.

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Stop Collection Calls in Canada – Richard Cooper