How do you stop debt collector harassment?

Debt collector harassment is defined as conduct that is harassment or oppresses the debtor. There are many examples of this under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, including:

  • Calling an unreasonable number of times
  • Calling at unreasonable hours (before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
  • Telling third parties about your debt such as employers
  • Making threats like bringing an immediate lawsuit and not following through
  • Contacting you after you have written them not to communicate with you further unless the communication is an exception under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
  • Accuse you of committing a crime for not paying a debt; this is not a criminal offense
  • Threaten or communicate false credit information to the credit bureaus
  • Cursing at you
  • Calling without identifying who they are
  • Claiming to be associated with any governmental organization like the police

If a debt collector does this, you can sue under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Many debtors have successfully taken cases to court and won large verdicts against collection agencies and debt collectors who violated this law. If you choose to go this route, it would be a good idea to retain a licensed attorney in your area familiar with this area of law.

However, if you are simply annoyed with the phone calls and do not want them to continue, you can send a writing to the debt collector stating that they are no longer permitted to contact you on the debt. You should keep evidence of the mailing.

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