How Do I Stop Creditor Calls?

Your first step to take when you are unable to pay back the money you owe is to contact your creditor to explain that you cannot pay your debt and when you expect you will be able to do so. You can write them a letter to the credit reporting agency requesting that they stop trying to contact you as per the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). When this tack does not work and harassment begins, you should hire a Detroit bankruptcy attorney.

Once you hire an attorney, creditors are only allowed to communicate with them. Bankruptcy lawyers can also enforce your rights against harassment under the FDCPA. Your final recourse is to file for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 which will automatically protect you from debt collection activity. Creditors will need to go through a bankruptcy court to continue collection efforts.

Creditors are prohibited from doing any of the following under the FDCPA:

• Engage in deceptive conduct
• Call you repeatedly
• Communicate with your employer or neighbors about your debt
• Call you at work or late at night
• Call you without disclosing their identity
• Publish your name
• Threaten you with repossession without legal right to do so

While bankruptcy may be a positive option, you should be aware that you should not pursue this option if you are only worried about debt collection harassment. Bankruptcy will stay on your credit report for up to nine years and should only be employed when your financial situation is very serious. If debt collection is your only concern, there are other measures you can take.

You have rights if bill collectors continue to pursue you. If they come to your house or place of business, you do not have to speak with them and if they come to your home, you can call the police and report their presence as trespassers. Ultimately, you can sue collection companies who ignore your warnings.

If you are being harassed by debt collectors or you ware considering filing for bankruptcy, call (888) 822-6730 for a free case consultation with our firm. For other questions, check out our Bankruptcy FAQ page.