Making Debt Collectors Play Nice

It used to be that debt collectors had the upper hand when it comes to dealing with debtors. These days, the table has turned, giving thousands of debtors a fighting chance against abusive debt collectors. If you are dealing with a debt collector and you have little clue on how to make them play nice, we compiled helpful tips below:

Demand Debt Details

In the past, debt collectors would use just about every scare tactic in the book to make debtors pay for debts that they may or may not owe. When the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act was passed in Congress, debtors can now demand for information pertaining to the debt. For instance, if you are unsure that the debt is indeed yours, you can dispute the debt claims within 30 days. In turn, the debt collection company has to resent evidence that the debt is indeed yours. The debt collection company is not allowed to collect the debt during this time.

Limit Communication/Correspondence

Gone are the days when a collection agent can call you at work demanding for money or scaring you into paying by threatening to discuss your debt with your employer. By law, they are prohibited from calling you at work or at certain hours during the day and night. They cannot repeatedly call you to threaten, harass or use harsh language to get you to pay. They are not allowed to discuss debt information with other people, including your relatives. If you hired an attorney, they are only allowed to discuss the debt through your attorney.

Cease and Desist Letter

Debt collectors are infamous for their persistence. Put a stop to all collection efforts by sending a Cease and Desist letter via certified mail with return receipt requested. Let them know that you no longer wish to be in communication with them and would rather communicate via mail and nothing else. Most collection agents will stop once they received a cease and desist letter and will only hear from them once they file a credit card lawsuit. However, for others that did not stop, you can file a complaint and receive a fine for it.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act helps you deal with abusive debt collectors and prevent them from ever harassing you again so make sure you learn more about local and state rules in your area before you start discussing the debt you allegedly owe with a debt collectors.