How to Stop Collection Calls and Creditor Harassment
There are a few things one can do to stop the harassing phone calls from your debt collection agencies. One way of achieving this is by recording all conversations either you have with the agencies. This very important because this will provide evidence of the harassment.
You can buy a tape recorder to record the calls and remember to write the call logs in a notepad. When you finally get that initial phone call, all you have to say is that you dispute the debt, and you want all communication in written form. This should be enough to stop all unnecessary phone calls.
However, if they call after that, make sure you record the conversation because now they broke the law, and according to the TCPA, you can get anywhere from $500 to $1500 per phone call.
Secondly, you can send a cease-and-desist letter to the debt collection agency. You can look up samples of cease and desist letters on the internet and use them to draft your own. A simple letter has the company name and your account number.
The advantage of requesting written communication is that the company would have to inform you of the debt and other important stuff before putting it on your credit report.
Another thing you need to know is that you’re not obligated to pay these debt collection companies. They are just a third party, and you’re not under contract, so you’re not obligated to pay them.
Therefore, you may consider talking to the original creditor of the account and come up with a payment plan or agreement.