Are you getting countless calls a day from debt collectors? Do you feel overwhelmed by constantly needing to dodge calls from numbers you don’t recognize? Believe it or not, there is an 11 word phrase you can say that will stop debt collectors in their tracks. Finally, you will get some peace and quiet while you get your finances back in order.
In order to get a break from the incessant calls, you can use this 11 word phrase to stop debt collectors: “Please cease and desist all calls and contact with me, immediately.” Using this phrase will force debt collectors to stop all methods of contacting you, giving you the peace and quiet that you deserve.
Why Do Debt Collectors Call You?
Many times, when you miss payments on your debts, the debt will be sent to collections. Once the debt is sent to collection, debt collectors are allowed to start calling you in order to collect payments on your debt. Aside from stopping contact when requested, there are other rules in place that limit a debt collector’s actions. Fortunately, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act has implemented rules that debt collectors have to follow when contacting individuals. Here are some restrictions debt collectors have:
- Unreasonable Hours: Debt collectors can’t contact you at unreasonable times of day, especially if they know it would be an inconvenience for you. Generally, this means that collectors cannot call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
- Areas of Employment: Your workplace is generally off-limits. Debt collectors may be able to call your employer to get information on you (phone number or address), but they cannot disclose any financial information to your employer
- Cannot Harass Or Threaten: If a debt collector is harassing or threatening you, they are breaking the law. Debt collectors are barred from making threats against you in an attempt to collect a payment
- Correspond With The Attorney: If you are being represented by an attorney, and you have made the debt collector aware of this, they are typically no longer allowed to contact you directly.
It’s important for you to remember that, if a debt collector has broken any of these laws, they are subject to both criminal and civil penalties.
What To Do When Debt Collectors Call You?
The first call you get from a debt collector can be intimidating. They may present you with the debt they are trying to collect on, outline what their next steps are going to be, and how long you have to pay them back. This can be an overwhelming phone call, but there are some things you want to make sure are communicated upfront. When you are first contacted by a debt collector, they are required by law to provide you with specific information including:
- The name of the creditor
- The amount owed
- Your ability to dispute the debt
- Your ability to request information on the original creditor
If the first call you have with a debt collector doesn’t include this information, it’s required that this information be sent to you within 5 days after the first point of contact. After the first call, you have some options to consider, but there are some things that you need to do as soon as you are contacted by debt collectors.
Keep A Record Of Every Communication With A Debt Collector
If you are being regularly contacted by debt collectors, make sure you are keeping track of the communication. Take note of who called you, what they said, what time they called, and how long the call lasted. Not only will this help you remember all of the important information being given to you, but it will also help you keep track of any mistakes or errors the debt collectors make. Any inconsistencies or law-breaking is important to keep track of. If there is ever a phone call or voicemail that includes abusive or threatening language should also be noted as it could be grounds for a countersuit.
Verify That The Debt Collector Has The Correct Information
Make sure that the debt collector you are talking with has all the correct information on your case. There is a chance that the debt collector has been given the wrong contact information and is mistakenly calling you. If this is true, you can clarify with the collection agency to make sure you are not contacted again.
If they have your contact information correct, then also verify that the amount of debt they are attempting to collect on is correct as well. Doing so can ensure that you are aware of what debt is being collected on, especially if you have multiple debts that are behind on payments.
It’s important to note that, while you do need to verify this information, do not confirm any of this information on the phone with a debt collector. If you make a verbal confirmation that you actually owe any or all of the debt, it will be difficult, or even impossible, for you to dispute the debt later on.
Decide What You Are Going To Do
You have countless options available to you when you are falling behind on debt payments. Whether you are considering filing for bankruptcy, seeking out a debt settlement company, or applying for a debt consolidation loan, you need to know what your next steps are once you start getting debt collection calls. If you decide on the debt settlement company, make sure the debt settlement company is legitimate.
Ignoring the issue is simply not a good option. If the debt continues to go unpaid, and the debt collector can’t get in contact with you, it’s likely that they will file a lawsuit to get a judgment that forces you to pay back some of the debt.
Even if you invoke that magic 11 word phrase to stop debt collectors from calling you, that doesn’t mean that your debt is going away. So, once you get that first call, decide how you are going to take care of your debt. Make sure you are aware of the options that are available to you so that you can find a plan that best fits your situation. If you aren’t sure what options are available to you, or you don’t know which choice is best for your situation, consider taking a Debt Relief Calculator.
What NOT To Do When Debt Collectors Call
There are many options to choose from when debt collectors call. However, there are also many things that you will want to avoid.
These include:
- Conceding Any Information- If a collector calls and asks you to confirm a debt that you owe, do not do this. Once you confirm that you owe a debt, it will be infinitely more difficult to have any piece of the debt discharged, dismissed, or disputed.
- Using Abusive Language- Just like the debt collectors are not allowed to harass, abuse, or threaten you verbally, it is wise for you to follow the same guidelines. Though debt collectors can be emotionally draining, stressful to deal with, and incredibly irritating, it’s in your best interest to refrain from abusive and threatening language — including slurs and curse words. It’s likely that the debt collector will be recording the phone call, so any unappealing language will be kept until the case is closed.
- Ignoring The Debt- While you can definitely stop debt collectors from calling with that 11 word phrase, it doesn’t mean that you can ignore the debt that you owe. Once debt collectors stop calling, they can still seek legal action against you in an effort to get you to pay. Keep this in mind when you send a cease and desist.
- Commit To Making a ‘Good Faith’ Payment- A lot of times, there is a statute of limitations on how long a debt can be collected on. That time starts the minute the last payment was made. If you are nearing the end of your statute of limitations, debt collectors may ask you to make a payment out of good faith. They imply that this is done so that you can show you are working with them and they won’t have to be as aggressive. But what they are really trying to do is reset that time frame so that the statute of limitations doesn’t run out.
Will The 11 Word Phrase To Stop Debt Collectors Really Work?
While the 11 word phrase to stop debt collectors from calling should stop any future calls, it’s also smart to put the request in writing. You should have been informed of the collection agency’s name and contact information. If you haven’t yet, make note of that, and then request the information — specifically an email or mailing address.
Once you have this information, send an email or letter that says the same thing: “Please cease and desist all calls and contact with me, immediately.” This leaves behind a paper trail and shows the date and time that you requested to not be contacted anymore. Should a debt collector continue to call you after this has been done, there will be physical evidence that they were acting unlawfully.
Hopefully, this will give you the time and space to take care of your debt situation.
Conclusion
Debt collection calls can be annoying, intimidating, and constant. Get rid of their pestering voices with that 11 word phrase to stop debt collectors from calling. But don’t forget, once they stop calling, you aren’t free from any worries! You still have your debt that you need to take care of. Whether you plan on filing for bankruptcy, seeking out a debt settlement company, or applying for a debt consolidation loan, you still need to act on getting your debt taken care of.
If you aren’t sure what options are available to you, or you don’t know which choice is best for your situation, consider taking a Debt Relief Calculator. This calculator is a free tool that can help you understand what options you have to help take care of your debt problem and which may be the most effective.