{"id":16206,"date":"2024-09-23T08:00:45","date_gmt":"2024-09-23T14:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/?p=16206"},"modified":"2025-06-04T16:53:30","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T22:53:30","slug":"how-to-deal-with-debt-collectors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/finance\/how-to-deal-with-debt-collectors.html","title":{"rendered":"How to deal with debt collectors in 3 simple steps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Man<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice. See Lexington Law\u2019s editorial disclosure for more information.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When dealing with debt collectors, you should verify the debt is yours, know your rights and negotiate with the debt collector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being in debt can be stressful, and persistent calls from collection agencies can definitely add to that pressure. If you fail to make payments on your debt over a period of time \u2014 often three months or more \u2014 your debt will likely go to a collection agency which will contact you for payments. Avoiding a collection agency<\/a> can negatively impact your credit, but knowing your rights and how to deal with debt collectors can help you control the situation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nonetheless, there are a few simple yet important steps to take whenever you\u2019re contacted by a debt collector. Read on to learn more about the collection process, your rights and effective ways to deal with debt collectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Know (and enforce) your rights<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Debt collection agencies are bound by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act<\/a> (FDCPA), which protects consumers from many behaviors that were once common in the debt collection industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, the FDCPA prevents debt collectors from harassing or threatening you. It ensures that debt collectors disclose why they are calling you and that they offer validation for the debt when requested. Additionally, this law protects your privacy when collectors call other people about your debt, and gives you the right to request that debt collectors stop contacting you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Legal<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few other ways that debt collection laws<\/a> regulate debt collectors: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communication restrictions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Legally, debt collectors can only call you between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. They also cannot call you at work if you ask them to stop. According to the FDCPA<\/a>, debt collectors must provide you with a written notice within five days prior to contacting you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disclosures<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the written notice, debt collectors must inform you of the original creditor, the exact amount owed and your right to challenge the debt in writing within 30 days. They also are not allowed to disclose information about these debts to your family members or employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behavior<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Debt collectors cannot (and should not) use profane language, threaten you, make false claims about the consequences of nonpayment or lie about what you owe. They are not allowed to harass you in any manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a debt collector violates any of these rules \u2014 or you believe that the debt is fraudulent \u2014 you can file a complaint. The Federal Trade Commission<\/a> (FTC) accepts reports of fraud, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau<\/a> (CFPB) enables you to submit a complaint about unlawful behavior by collection agencies. In 2019, the CFPB handled 75,200 complaints<\/a> on debt collection, and 99 percent were handled by the end of the year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you know your rights as a consumer, you\u2019ll have the communication tools you need to verify the debt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Verify the debt is yours<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When a debt collector contacts you, the first step is to verify that the debt is yours. This process, called debt validation<\/a>, forces the collection agency to provide documentation that shows the debt belongs to you. In general, a collection agency must send you a validation letter when requested. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Reasons<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are a few important reasons why you should always verify the debt:<\/p>\n\n\n\n