Collection Agency Cease Contact

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits abusive, deceptive and unfair debt collection practices.

For example, collectors may not make false statements, use obscene or profane language, threaten to take legal action they cannot or do not intend to take, call consumers at work if they know it is inconvenient or not permitted by the employer or call consumers at other times they know to be inconvenient to the consumer, such as before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.

You can use the letter below, or a similar one, to notify a collection agency that you do not wish to be contacted. Note that this will not stop further debt collection actions such as lawsuits, repossessions or wage garnishments, but it will stop further contact. Be sure to send the letter via certified mail, return receipt requested -- and be sure to keep a copy.

Also note that this applies only to third-party debt collectors -- primarily collection agencies -- not to the primary creditor.

[Date] [Collection Agency Name] [Address] [City] [State] [Zip] To Whom It May Concern:     In Re: [Name or names on account]     [Account number]     [Name of credit] Since [date], I have been receiving telephone calls [at home and/or at my place of employment] from you concerning my account with the above-named creditor. This letter is to inform you that, pursuant to the provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. §1692c), I am requesting that you cease all further communications with me except to the extent specifically permitted under law. Very truly yours, ________________________________ [signature] [Your name printed or typed] [Your address] [Your city, state, zip] [Your telephone number]

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