Your answer to that question is likely “No”. Section 805 15 USC 1692c of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act clearly states that if you contact the debt collector in writing and inform them that you cannot pay this debt at this time (for whatever reason) and you want them to cease any further contact, then they must cease any further communication. Make sure you make a copy of this letter, send it certified mail, return receipt. This way they can never say that they didn’t get it, and trust me, they will say exactly that.

After this, they can only contact you for two reasons: to let you know that further communication has been terminated, or to let you know that they will be taking further action available to them by law. Other than that, if they start calling you again, record the calls and tell them they are being recorded. Get the name of whoever is calling you.

They are not allowed to contact you at work if they know, or have reason to know, that your employer disapproves of such communication. Now this part baffles me. What employer is going to say, “Yeah, that would be wonderful if you had creditors calling here all day, sure go ahead.” Either way, if they do start calling, make sure you let them know it is not okay. Be sure to quote the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

The more knowledgeable you seem to them, the more they are not going to want to bother with you. These people are the Athlete’s Foot of America, they couldn’t care less if you were dying of a brain tumor right there on the phone with them, they would ask for the chemotherapy to be temporarily halted so you could settle that eight year old Blockbuster debt for $73.00.

I am not saying it is okay to not pay your bills, I just don’t think anyone has the right to torment you in your own home, regardless of how much money you owe them. Unless of course, the money you owe is on the home itself

Bookmark It