How can I stop bill collectors to stop calling every day?

Question

I live on a fixed income and my credit card company raised there minimum payment and I can not pay that high of a payment. They call every day about three to five times a day. I tell them every time what I can pay and when but they still keep calling. How can I stop it?

Answer 1

Maybe looking for vacations that let you live like pioneers is a bad idea when you can't even keep up with your current debt payments.

Answer 2

First, request their mailing address next time you speak with someone. Then write a letter requesting that they communicate with you ONLY via mail. It's a law, they must honor that request. It's not legal for them to harrass you, either... if they are calling beyond what is appropriate, you can report them! Go on this website to check your state's laws.
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs27plus.htm

Then, call someone like MMI, www.moneymanagement.org and see about getting onto a debt management plan. But only get involved with an organization that is non-profit... there are scammers galore. I've been with the afore mentioned company for over a year, and I love them. The process is involved, but SO worth it! They will get your cards to accept a payment plan that will lower your interest and stop some charges. But stick too it! When you see balances dropping and cards falling off, it's very rewarding... so make that payment every month. It should be something affordable.
Good luck to you!!

Answer 3

By law they are allowed to make 1 contact a day. If they repeatidly call it is a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The only way to stop them from calling all together is to file bankruptcy. If you are on a fixed income that means your are either retired or you are on disability. If you are on disability they cannot touch your income. So if I were you I would change my # to an unlisted #. Do not put your new phone # on checks when you pay bills. If you call them to discuss your bill make sure you block your new # first before you call, or call from a payphone. I would how ever try to send them at least a little something a month even if it's only $5.00.

Answer 4

There are several consumer financial assistance groups that are available. The one I can recommend is Ameridebt. Its a non-profit credit counseling organization. They'll contact your creditors, negotiate payments, consolidate payments; they'll do for you what will work best with your needs. I've used them in the past & they were great to work with! They only drawback, (but a blessing at the same time) is that you'll loose your credit with the creditor, meaning you will no longer be provided services with that company. I used Ameridebt to pay off several hospital bills and credit cards (Master Card, & the Good Guys). My accounts were closed with the companies. Several years ago, Mastercard started sending applications again, and I haven't been able to get credit with other retail stores that use Household Bank Services (the provider of the Good Guys account); but honestly, it's worked out to be a blessing in disguise because it's kept me out of debt, away from credit cards, and I realize that if I don't have the cash to pay for it, I shouldn't be buying it in the first place! It's nice to rid that financial burden.

Good luck to you!

Answer 5

Send them a written notice, signed and dated asking them to stop calling you. They won't do anything when you verbally ask them to stop contacting you, but they have to honor a written request. Add in the note something like "any further telephone contact from your company or it's representatives will be considered harassment." Keep a copy for your records. Splurge on getting a certified letter, so they can't say they never received it.
Also, call the credit card company and cancel the card. If you don't have an active account with them, they will have to stop charging interest and late fees. This will save you a considerable amount of money and will shorten the time it takes to pay off the balance, as you won't have late fees on top of late fees and interest accumulating interest.

Answer 6

By law, bill collectors cannot harrass you. I had one collector call me 15 times in one month. I logged every call, date and time. I then called back and talked to a supervisor. I told him that I was going to report them for harrassment if they called me again and that I had everything logged. They quit calling. If you want to pay them, just send them a payment every month of whatever you can afford(make sure the account is closed also). As long as you show you are attempting to pay off your debt, they cannot do anything to you. Go online and look up the Fair Credit Act. It will give you more info.

Answer 7

The folks calling you are collectors...they probably won't help you...instead call their customer service department and let them know the problem...ask for a lower payment or interest rate...they may only grant a short period, but it's better than harassing phone calls, and if you do keep getting calls you can let them know you have already worked it out with customer service. If this doesn't work you may have to contact Consumer Credit Counseling Services (CCCS)...they work out a low or no interest payment plan to get you back on track...meanwhile...don't charge anything else. Good Luck.

Answer 8

If you have been with these companies for a while, you can call them and negotiate a deal that is suitable for both of you. So long as it is not a department store credit card, they wil be willing to negotiate. You could even pick up one of the calls and ask to talk to a manager and tell them your problem.

Otherwise you could call one of the consolidating companies to help consolidate your bills so it becomes easier to pay. The catch to this is that your accounts will be closed and this may affect your credit score. Your best bet really is to talk to the companies.

Answer 9

They will stop calling when you pay the bills, or, when the statute of limitations is about to expire.

DON'T ANSWER THE PHONE.

NEVER TALK TO THEM! They want to engage you in a conversation until you agree to pay.

If you have caller I.D., they typically call from an 800 call-center number.

Put a radio by the telephone. When they call, put the phone receiver by the speaker, and TURN UP the volume. Eventually they will stop calling.

Good luck!

Answer 10

First call the credit card customer service number (usually on the back of the card) and discuss a solution with them. The people who call about payment are not the right people to talk to.

If that doesn't work, then you may want to talk to one of the organizations that helps with credit problems, but be careful, not all of them are legit.

Answer 11

I can see that no one is really answering your question! If you had the money, you would pay the bill, right? I know how you feel and am in the same situation. The only advice I have is to pay as much as you can when you can, and in the meantime, don't pick up the phone if you don't know who is calling. They will leave a message and you can just erase it, seeing as how you know you owe the money and you're paying it off as quickly as you can.