Contrary to what many people seem to believe, you do not have to put up with being contacted by debt collectors, even if you truly owe the debt. Owing a debt is not a crime. And there is no legal justification for a debt collector or a creditor to continue to hound you if you can't pay the debt. This is not to say you should not pay the debt.  Obviously, if you can pay the debt, and it doesn't cause you undue hardship in other areas of your life, you should give serious consideration to paying the debt. However, not paying a debt is not the end of the world, and you should not feel as though the abuse you are enduring is in someway justified. It is not. Debt collectors do not have the right to contact you. It is a privilege, and it is a privilege that you alone control.

If you want a debt collector to stop contacting you, make a copy of the letter they sent you and attach another document telling the debt collector either/or 1) that you do not owe the debt, 2) that you will not pay the debt, or 3) that you want them to stop contacting you. Be sure you put the date on the second letter, and be sure you make a copy of everything before you mail it. There is no requirement that you send the letter by certified mail, and pay for a “return receipt,” but you may want to do that to ensure you have proof.

You can also send a letter within 30 days after you receive the validation notice telling the debt collector that you dispute the debt or some portion of it.  However the debt collector can begin contacting you again if it sends you written verification of the debt, like a copy of a bill for the amount you owe.

By far, the best way to get a debt collector to stop contacting you is send a letter to the debt collector and tell the debt collector that you do not intend to pay the debt. Believe it or not, that is all you have to do.

If you are being contacted by a debt collector, the best thing you can do is contact our office.  We do not charge anything to speak with you, and we are glad to discuss the situation with you. By reviewing your situation with us, you can ensure that your legal rights are respected and that you are doing everything prudent.