I've heard that if I ask a bill collector (collection agency) not to call me by phone that they have to obey and not call me again. Is this true? I have a really nasty collector that calls EVERY DAY, sometimes more than once a day! I have asked them repeatedly to contact me by mail only and they are just the rudest and most harrassing people I have ever dealt with. They say that until the bill is paid in full they can call me as much as they want. And they do - all day, every day.
Is there any legal remedy? I am willing to pay a lawyer to write them a cease and dissist letter but I need to have a law to cite in it. PLEASE help!
2006-10-21 12:46:17 · 16 answers · asked by thyladydulcinea 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Personal Finance
Just to clarify, I do intend to pay this and all of my debts in full. We are a family of few means and we had a son born needing NICU care. Thanks to the person that I chose for best answer! I found a "Stop Calling" letter on the website you provided!!! If anyone wants to read it, here it is! http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/Disputing_Collections/stop-calling-letter.html
2006-10-21 13:09:06 · update #1
Thanks to all for the helpful answers. To some, please be more kind to others since you don't know what they might have been through to get to the situation they are in. This particular collector said they will keep calling until the bill is paid in full, regardless of payments being made. I was considering Legal Aid or something like that, but thankfully I found a form letter that I can customize that has the law cited and everything. We just switched phone packages to Comcast yesterday and all the bells & whistles are included but we haven't set up the caller ID yet. I'll get that going tomorrow and also activate the blocked/anonymous call rejection. We are actually moving in with my parents so we can pay off the medical bills faster, so again.... don't be so quick to judge.
2006-10-21 16:07:21 · update #2
It is illegal for a collection agent to contact you if you have informed him to stop all contact. The problem is if you simply tell them over the phone, there is really no proof you notified them. They will simply lie and say you never told them.
You need to send them a letter by certified mail/return receipt. This is the "cease and desist" letter you mentioned.
There are some very good form letters in the link below. Also read the links to the Fair Debt Collection act, and know what your rights are.
Contact me if you need more advice.
2006-10-21 14:12:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do you still owe the money? If so, paying it off will stop the calls. If you have paid it off and they are still calling, best have that company tell the collections agency that the account is closed. If you can't come up with the money there are agencies that can help you consolidate your bills and get this type of person off your back. You could go to a lawyer, but that will only cost more.
2006-10-21 12:54:23 · answer #2 · answered by 2hot 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, what you describe is a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Act. They cannot use fraud or coercion to gain "your" compliance. It is also a violation of federal law and probably state laws, to identify one self as a law enforcement official (unless you really are and are on official business. You need to get names, numbers, dates/ times of these offenses and report those people to the appropriate agencies, to include the agency that they claim to be from. These are prosecutable in both state and federal court. The second thing is they are employing harassment tactics, which is also illegal. Many states attorneys generals offices can and will go after these people. If they send anything in the mail, you can them send them official notice that you do not owe them anything and they are not to contact you , in any manner, regarding this or any other matter, ever again. If you can, you could have the letter notarized, with copies, that will give the letter more legal force. After that they are in even more trouble. Again, make good notes, keep copies and report these abuses to any and all agencies who will listen: these are crimes! Last thing is to get your sister involved, assuming what you say is true, she may be the victim of identity theft!
2016-05-22 08:30:35 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are laws everywhere in the Western world that regulate the actions of bill collectors. Check with your local government to determine if the collection agency is violating the law.
Keep in mind that you helped bring this on yourself. Instead of going to all the trouble and expense of getting a lawyer to draw up a "cease and desist" order, why don't you just make it easy on yourself and PAY YOUR BILLS??!!
2006-10-21 12:58:26 · answer #4 · answered by sandislandtim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can call you as often as they want to between 7AM -9PM.
They can't cuss or threaten you. Usually they don't start that kind of intense collection effort unless you repeatedly made payment promises and then failed to stick to the agreement.
Pay your bill and if you have to many obligations contact a Debt Consolidator that will work out payment arrangements and the calls will stop.
2006-10-21 13:08:45 · answer #5 · answered by barbara w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can not harrass you and this sounds like this is what they are doing. If you tell them to stop calling they need to know if they call again you will pursue legal action. You can also write them a letter (keep a copy for yourself) That way they have it in writting and in their hands. The phone calls are not always taped and if you tell them to stop and they know it is not being taped then they will keep calling. Write a letter.
2006-10-21 12:55:55 · answer #6 · answered by cab 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm gonna go out on a limb here.....if your willing to pay a lawyer to send them a letter, why not just give them that money to either pay off or pay towards your bill with them? That would get them to leave you alone. Just pay your freakin bills and they'll quit calling you.
2006-10-21 13:00:44 · answer #7 · answered by york_hellen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are plenty of examples of "don't contact me" letters available on the Internet for fee. Check out the link below.
2006-10-21 13:00:02 · answer #8 · answered by Carl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well one thing I know there are not aloud to be harrassing and you can let them know that you can sue them for doing so but i'm not sure what the law is. Or change your phone number hehe
=)
2006-10-21 12:51:30 · answer #9 · answered by Blue 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They aren't allowed to call you early in the morning, late at night, or at your place of work. Other than that, there may be some regulations in your state.
2006-10-21 12:55:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋