Key takeaways
- You can tell a debt collector, in writing, to stop contacting you.
- After it gets your letter, the collector can generally only confirm it will stop or tell you about a specific action, like a lawsuit.
- Stopping contact doesn’t erase the debt. You can still be sued, and it can stay on your credit report.
- You can also limit contact instead, such as no calls at work or contact only by mail.
- Send letters by certified mail and keep copies.
If collection calls are overwhelming you, you don’t have to keep taking them. Federal law gives you the right to tell a collector to stop contacting you, or to limit how they reach you. Here’s how to do it, and what to think about first.
Your right to stop contact
According to the CFPB, if you don’t want a debt collector to contact you again, you can write a letter saying so. Once the collector receives it, it can generally only contact you to:
- Tell you there will be no further contact, or
- Tell you that it or the creditor may take a specific action it’s legally allowed to take, such as filing a lawsuit.
What it doesn’t do
The CFPB is clear: stopping communication doesn’t make the debt go away. The collector or creditor can still:
- Sue you to collect.
- Report the debt to the credit bureaus.
- Sell the debt or pass it to another collector, who may contact you.
So before sending a stop-contact letter, think about whether you’d rather know what the collector plans to do. Some people prefer to limit contact instead.
Option: limit contact instead of stopping it
You can tell a collector how, when and where it may reach you. For example:
- No calls at work. The CFPB explains that if a collector knows your employer doesn’t allow these calls, it can’t call you there. See can a debt collector contact your employer or family.
- Contact only by mail, or only by email.
- No calls at certain times that are inconvenient for you.
- Contact through your attorney, if you have one.
Before you send anything
- Check whether the debt is yours. If you’re not sure, ask for proof first. See how to ask a debt collector to prove a debt. You can dispute and limit contact in the same letter.
- Check whether it’s an old debt. See time-barred debt. Don’t admit owing it or make a payment until you know.
What to put in your letter
- Your name, address and the account or reference number from the collector’s notice.
- A clear statement, for example: “Please stop all communication with me about this debt,” or “Please contact me only by mail.”
- The date and your signature.
Don’t include your Social Security number or bank details. The CFPB has sample letters you can adapt.
How to send it
- Certified mail with a return receipt, so you have proof the collector received it. Keep a copy.
- Electronically, if the collector offers that option, and save a copy.
If the collector keeps contacting you
Keep a log: dates, times, phone numbers and what was said. If the collector keeps contacting you after receiving your letter, for reasons other than those allowed, it may be breaking the law. You can file a complaint with the CFPB and your state attorney general, and talk to a consumer attorney.
The bottom line
You can stop or limit collector contact with a simple letter. It brings quiet, but the debt and the possibility of a lawsuit remain. Verify the debt first, decide whether to stop or just limit contact, and keep proof of everything. For your other rights, read your rights when a debt collector calls.
Sources: CFPB: how do I get a debt collector to stop contacting me · CFPB: can debt collectors tell other people about my debt · CFPB: debt collection