Quick Guide to Stopping Abusive Debt Collection Calls in Arizona

The first sign that you have fallen behind on your bills is the non-stop debt collection calls.  These calls are not only stressful but can cause problems with your family, your job, and even your health.

Many believe that there is nothing that can be done about the endless collection calls – that it is simply part of the punishment for not being able to pay your bills.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  You don’t have to endure the collection calls and if debt collectors cross the line and get abusive, you may even be able to sue them.

Here are three ways you can make the debt collection calls to stop:

Ask Them to Stop (In Writing)

If you want to calls to stop you can simply tell the debt collector to stop.  You must notify the debt collector in writing that you want the phone calls to cease.  The debt collector is obligated under federal law to stop calling you once they receive the written notice to stop.

Keep a copy of the letter you send and if the debt collector continues to call you after they have been notified to stop you will have a claim against the debt collector under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

Hire an Attorney

Under the FDCPA and the ethical rules that govern attorneys if a debt collection attorney or a debt collector knows that you are represented by a lawyer then they must go through that lawyer.  If you need a lawyer to handle the legal aspects of your debt situation this can be a great way of stopping the phone calls.   Again, if you notify them that you are represented by a lawyer and the debt collector still continues to call you directly you can sue them under the FDCPA.

Seek Bankruptcy Protection

One of the most powerful tools in bankruptcy is the Automatic Stay.  As soon as your bankruptcy case is filed the bankruptcy court enters an order stopping all collection efforts against you.  This means that not only do all of the phone calls have to stop but so do collection letters, wage garnishments, lawsuits, etc.

You don’t have to suffer through endless collection calls.  Take control of your debt situation and take care of things on your terms.