Ring Relief: Strategies for Stopping Collection Calls

The average debt an American owes is more than $100k across mortgage loans, auto loans, credit card debt, student loan debt, and personal loans according to research data from Experian.

Debt is a leading cause of financial stress in our country, and when you factor in the relentless ringing of collection calls, the outcome transcends psychological impact—stress impacts everything from sleep to heart health. But don’t lose hope: there are steps you can take when it comes to putting an end to collection calls and protecting your peace of mind.

First and foremost: familiarize yourself with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This federal law regulates the behavior of debt collectors, outlining what they can and cannot do. They are prohibited from harassing you, calling you before 8 am or after 9 pm, and threatening you with legal action they don’t intend to take.

The FDCPA empowers you in this situation. Knowing your rights allows you to confidently address the collector and request they follow the law. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) if they violate your rights https://www.ftc.gov/.

Tempting though it may be, ignoring collection callers won’t make the debt disappear. Here are some conversational tactics you can follow when confronting the caller:

• Be calm and assertive: Take a deep breath and remain polite during the conversation. Profane or aggressive language toward a collector can lead to a “Cease and Desist” status on your account which, in turn, prevents collectors from keeping you informed of important account developments.
• Verify the debt: Ask for the debt collector’s name, company, the original creditor, and the amount owed. Don’t admit to the debt until you’ve verified it’s legitimate.
• Don’t give out personal information: Don’t confirm your address, workplace, or bank account details unless you’re sure it’s a legitimate collector. Phone and mail cams have become increasingly sophisticated, and it’s vital to protect your identity. Request communication in writing: If you prefer written communication, you can ask the collector to send you a debt validation letter that details the debt.
• Dispute the debt (if applicable): If you believe the debt is wrong, inform the collector and request verification. Upon receipt, you have 30 days to dispute the debt in writing.
• Work out a payment plan (if possible): If you acknowledge the debt in question, be proactive in negotiating a payment plan that fits your budget.

Once you’ve established that a debt is yours, you’ll want to strategize next steps to help you move forward. Here are few options you have:

• Communicate with the Original Creditor: If possible, reach out to the original creditor with whom you incurred the debt (for example, your credit card company). They may be willing to work with you in negotiating a payment plan that works for your situation.
• Seek Free Financial Counseling: Non-profit credit counseling agencies such as GreenPath can analyze your financial situation and offer cost-free, judgment-free recommendations based on your current budget and goals.
• Consider Debt Management: Beyond free financial counseling, you might also consider enrollment in a Debt Management ProgramDebt Management Program (DMP), a structured repayment plan created with a certified credit counselor to pay off debt, often with negotiated lower interest rates and faster payoff times.