subject: Debt Relief Tips – How To Legally Stop The Debt Collectors From Calling [print this page] Stop debt collectors from calling and harassing you for a payment. Being in financial trouble can bring forth a lot of stress and anxiety. During this difficult time when you are trying to figure out your next step, the last thing you need is to be annoyed by debt collector calls. They are annoying, embarrassing, and sometimes even harassing. You will be glad to know there are guidelines to how far they can go and when they have to stop calling altogether.
Here are instances of when debt collectors have to stop calling you:
o If you are in the middle of bankruptcy proceedings. All correspondence must go to the attorney who is handling your bankruptcy case. Once you have your lawyer in place, they must leave you alone at that point. Bankruptcy should be a last resort solution.
o If you are using the help of a debt relief professional. Once you have the help of a 3rd party, a debt collector needs to deal directly with them. As soon as they have a letter from you stating not to call you because someone else will be working on your behalf, they have to cease direct calls to you. At this point the will only deal with the person you have hired. This is a good solution for you to consider if you thinking about bankruptcy or feel like you cannot get from under your finances alone.
You can utilize a debt relief professional as a mediator or a buffer. They prevent you from getting harassed. Certain debt relief options like consolidation, negotiation, settlement and counseling can help you tackle your financial situation and reduce your balances. In many cases, you can reduce your balances by 40-60% off the original amount. Your lender will consider the rest of your balance paid in full.
o If you request to not be contacted by phone. Believe it or not, getting a debt collector to stop calling you is that simple. When speaking with a debt collector, ask them to stop contacting you by phone. Then send them a certified letter with a return receipt requested. When your letter has been received, they have to honor your request. Plain and simple. From that point on they must contact you by correspondence only. If they do not abide by your wishes, they are in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
Collection agencies do have a legitimate right to collect your payment, but just like any other company there are rules that have to be followed. Once you get the phone calls to stop, you can focus on getting your finances turned around.
Debt Relief Tips How To Legally Stop The Debt Collectors From Calling
