Dealing with Debt Collectors

It can be emotional and overwhelming if you are dealing with a debt collector. In additional to your financial problems, you do not need to add the harassment of a debt collector. There are laws in place to prevent you from being abused or threatened by a debt collector, and these laws may offer assistance before you contact a debt collection attorney.

Some ways that you may be able to handle a debt collector are:

• Maintain a call log and make sure to record the date and time of every call, the name of the debt collector, their phone number/agency and jot down some notes about the call
• Record the phone calls with a debt collector. Please advise that some states require that you inform the other person about recording the call. You can find a list of the requirements for recording calls for each state here
• Send the debt collector a letter informing them that you want them to cease and desist all communications with you
  • If you disagree that this is a debt that you owe, you should send the debt collector a letter advising them of your refusal to pay the debt
• Keep written documentation that you are disputing the debt. If a debt collector has mailed you a letter telling you that you can seek validation of the debt within 30 days, you are able to do that. By seeking validation, you are holding the debt collector responsible for providing you with proof of what you owe on the debt
  • If the 30 days have passed, you can still dispute the debt in writing. In doing so, the debt collector will be required to make note of the dispute if they ever report the debt to a credit bureau