Instructions

1

Know your rights. Federal laws are in place to protect debtors from harassment from collection agencies and lawyers. The Federal Trade Commission's Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is the main legislation that covers this area. The document is available on the FTC website.
2

Research your state's laws. Some collectors' activities are not covered by the FDCPA. However, your state may guarantee wider protections for consumers, so it's wise to look into state regulations on debtor rights. Usually, this is under the purview of the attorney general, so check that office's website first.
3

Ask your creditors to stop calling. If a creditor refuses, make a direct reference to the FDCPA's regulations or to the state law, and repeat your request. Let the creditor know that a letter will follow the phone conversation.
4

Put your request in writing. Write a formal letter requesting that the business cease all communication with you, including phone calls. You can request a receipt from the creditor, so you know that they received the letter.
5

Hire a lawyer if necessary. If the creditor will not stop calling in spite of your verbal and written requests, a lawyer can intervene and enforce your rights. It costs money to find an attorney, but it is worth the cost if it will buy you peace of mind.