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7 Smart Ways to Permanently Stop Business Debt Collection Calls

Are you losing your mind due to unending calls from debt collection agencies? If YES, here are 7 smart ways to permanently stop business debt collection calls. If you default on your monthly debt repayments, your creditors may hand over your account to a debt collection agency. The agency then attempts to help your creditor collect the money you owe.

You might begin to wonder why anyone would take delight in running after other people’s debtors. But in reality, debt collectors have a share of the money they help creditors collect from debtors. This explains why they are usually willing to harass and threaten debtors in order to collect money from them.

Even more annoying are a new breed of debt collectors, called debt buyers, who purchase old, outdated debts when the original creditors have given up on them. They pay crumbs for these lists of unpaid accounts with the aim of compelling the debtors to pay and making huge profits in the process. Many times, these debt buyers rely on inaccurate information—because the information is very old—and end up going after wrong people.

Whether you are rightfully or wrongfully pursued by debt collectors, they should not break the law—a trap they usually fall into due to desperation. Here are tips for a permanent stop to those pesky calls from debt collectors:

7 Smart Ways to Permanently Stop Business Debt Collection Calls

1. Tell them you know your rights

It is generally illegal for debt collectors to do any of the following:

  • Contact your employer or neighbors, telling them about your debt (they are allowed to contact them only in a bid to locate you)
  • Call you at work
  • Call you repeatedly
  • Engage in deceptive conduct
  • Call you late at night or at unreasonable hours
  • Call you without disclosing the creditor’s identity (debt buyers usually do this)
  • Threaten arrest or loss of child custody or welfare benefits
  • Publish your name
  • Use derogatory or insulting language
  • Use any communication, language or symbols on envelopes or postcards that indicate that the sender is in the debt collection business (which will send signals that the recipient is a debtor)

Debt collectors are less likely to keep pursuing you if they know that you understand the rules. So, early in your conversation, be bold enough to say something like, “I know my rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.” Mere mentioning the name of this act will send signals that you are well enlightened.

Now, don’t just mention that you know your rights. Exercise them. Ask who the credit card or other loan was originally with, the amount of the original debt, and the date of the original debt. Then demand that the collector send you a letter that proves that the debt exists and belongs to you. Most of the time, they won’t like to go through the tedious process. So, they would stop.

Better yet, simply tell them never to call you again (or send them a cease-and-desist letter), threatening them with the law. If the collection agency is violating any of these laws, you may be able to sue them for damages, your attorney fees, plus an additional $1,000.00. This tip alone should be enough to send them away. If not, there are other things to do. Read on.

2. Pretend you want to pay

You need the name and address of the debt collection company so you can send them a cease and desist letter warning them not to call you anymore. The easiest way to get these details from them is to pretend you want to send in the payment. In anticipation, they will quickly give you the details. In your letter, state clearly that all subsequent communication must be made either through writing or through your attorney. Keep a copy of the letter for your records.

Most debt collectors don’t want to disclose their names or contact details because they don’t want to receive your cease-and-desist letter. They are much aware that it’s a strong command for them to stop calling you (which they must obey). So, the only smart way to prevent you from exercising the freedom of using the letter against them is to leave you at sea regarding where to send it to.

3. Get their contact through other means

If they are smart enough not to reveal their contact details, here are other ways to get it:

  • Get their phone number (they will readily leave it). Then call back and request to speak with the receptionist–not the collector handling your case. You should be able to squeeze the company’s name out of the receptionist. Once you get the company’s name, you can look online for the address.
  • Order all three of your credit reports. Debt collectors usually get hold of your credit report before getting in touch with you for the first time. Typically, their name and address will appear on your credit report in the inquiries section. That’s where you will send your cease and desist letter.