Ways to quickly stop debt collection

Debt collection is done by a debt collector who is entrusted with the responsibility of collecting debts owed to others on a regular basis. An attorney can also act as a debt collector. A debt collector steps in when you default on repayment to your creditors, or some errors are found on your accounts. You become a debtor when you begin using credit cards, take out a personal loan, or pay on a home mortgage, etc.

Seek the help of FDCPA

You can, however, stop debt collection under the legal provision under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Remember though that this in no way wipes out any legitimate debt you owe to your creditors. In case you fail to repay, or there are discrepancies on your accounts, you should be aware that that under the FDCPA debt collectors must treat you fairly. Certain methods used in debt collections like threat, harassment are also prohibited by the Act. The FDCPA covers personal, family, and household debts including money borrowed for car purchase, medical care, and so on.

No unearthly hours, please

A debt collector may ge in touch with you in person, by telephone, mail, etc. However, a collector must seek your consent before he/she contacts you at inconvenient hours or places. A debt collector also may not try to make any contact with you at work if he/she is aware that such contacts are not taken kindly by your boss.

If you do not want a debt collector to contact you, you should dispatch a letter to the collector telling them to stop. On receipt of your letter, they may not get in touch with you again. However, they may tell you that there will be no further contact or inform you that the debt collector or the creditor is planning to take some specific steps. Again, you should keep it in mind that sending such a letter to a collector does not make your debt vanish into thin air. You original creditor or debt collector still reserves the right to take you to court.

Instead of meeting you, a debt collector must contact your attorney if you have one. In the absence of an attorney, a collector may contact other people, but only once to inquire about your address, phone number, workplace etc. They should not also disclose to anyone other than you and your attorney that you are a ‘debtor.’