How to Get Rid of Debt Collectors Harassing Phone Calls

No matter how much we might try to keep on top of our bills and pay them on time, when something happens unexpectedly like losing your job or your spouse dying, you might find yourself unable to pay off those credit cards or other bills and that's when you might start getting calls from the debt collectors.

Now if you have caller ID, you can just decide not to answer the phone when you see a number you don't know pop up. But when you are getting numerous phone calls everyday and want them to stop, there is an easy way to do that.

If you send the collection agency a letter in writing and specifically tell them not to contact you by phone or mail any more, they have to do so. They are allowed to call you once more after getting your letter to let you know they will not be calling you anymore or to let you know that the original creditor is taking you to court.

Remember though, that writing a letter to them and telling them to stop contacting you does not get rid of the debt, but it will stop the phone calls. They can also send your debt collection to another debt collector and when they start calling you and sending you bills you will have to do the same thing, send them a letter in writing telling them not to contact you anymore.

Sending the letter certified mail and paying for a return receipt will help you to document that you did send a letter to them in the chance that they say you did not. Making a paper trail of everything you send to a debt collector is a good idea. Make sure to also make a copy of the letter you send to them in case you need it later on.

If you want to know more about your rights and you do have rights through the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act , you should read your consumer rights.

You have to be careful what you do however because the original creditor may take you to court and the court may garnish your wages to pay off the amount you owe. However there are some types of income that are exempt from wage garnishment, some of them include, Student Assistance, Railroad Retirement Benefits, Social Security Benefits, Supplemental Security Income Benefits (SSI) and veterans Benefits. You can find the whole list of exempt income types by visiting the Debt Collection FAQs website .

No matter what a debt collector says to you, you need to know your rights and what they can and cannot do in regards to harassment and your legal rights. If we were all as wealthy as Brad Pitt or Bill Gates we wouldn't have to worry about what would happen if we lose a job or fall on hard times and can't pay our bills. But until we are that wealthy we have to make sure we know our rights when it comes to debt collectors.

Sources: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre18.shtm