If you’re struggling with debt, you may be receiving calls from a debt collector. These calls can be very overwhelming and emotionally draining. You may have wondered, “Can I tell them to stop calling? How do I stop bill collectors from calling my cell phone?”
Fortunately, resources and laws are in place to help you. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects you from abusive debt collectors, and the law prohibits debt collectors from making harassing or threatening phone calls or using profane language. Read below to learn how to stop debt collector calls.
The law is very clear on what creditors can and cannot do, and knowing your rights helps you deal with debt collectors. Federal law restricts debt collectors from:
Debt collectors should not contact you for a debt you do not owe. If they contact you regarding a debt, ask them to verify the debt first. They are not allowed to contact you if they cannot verify it.
If they can verify the debt, you may wonder, “Can I tell a debt collector to stop calling?” Yes! You can stop bill collectors from calling your cell phone and harassing you by sending a cease and desist letter telling them to stop contacting you.
Ensure you send the cease and desist letter by certified mail and pay for a return receipt so you are sure the mail arrived, and keep a receipt confirming the collector received it. Once they receive the letter, they will contact you once more via mail to let you know that they have stopped further efforts to contact you regarding the debt and will be considering other actions.
Another way to prevent creditors from calling you is by telling them you prefer to communicate with them through writing. The debt collectors will be mandated to write you letters instead, and you will be able to keep a record of everything said.
If you have a bad credit score, you may receive more collection calls than before. Most of these calls are legitimate debt collectors trying to collect on the accounts they represent. But fraudsters may also be calling, pretending to be debt collectors. To keep you safe, this is what you should not do when a debt collector calls.
You should not give a debt collection company your financial information. This includes your
Debt collectors may use this information to collect from you through a bank levy, wage garnishment, or property lien if the judgement is in their favor. You should only provide basic information concerning your debt.
You should not make a small payment to show “good faith” when a debt collector asks you to. This is because this only extends the statute of limitations. Remember that the clock resets to the date you last made your payment.
You should not admit the validity of your debt, as this also revives the statute of limitations. When you make a promise such as “I know I have a debt and will start paying next month,” debt collectors take it as a separate contract that renews the statute of limitations.
You should not ignore a debt collector’s call as they may be calling to let you know they have filed a lawsuit. Ignoring such a call may warrant a default judgement against you, and you may be slapped with other legal fees.
You should also control your temper when talking to a debt collector so that they may not use it in court, as it will show that you are abusive, thus hurting your chances of winning the lawsuit.
A credible credit repair company like Ascent Network has the expertise needed to identify errors such as debts that have not fallen off your credit report after the seven-year lapse. They can also identify errors in your credit report that you may miss and file a dispute with credit bureaus so they can fix the mistakes. This ultimately stops calls from debt collectors.
Debt collectors call when you have a delinquent debt meaning that your credit score also has been impacted negatively. The Ascent Network helps repair credit and communicate with your creditors on your behalf. They let you know which options you should take to improve your credit, which debts have fallen off the statute of limitations, or whether to pay for delete.
A more positive outlook toward a more financially secure future starts today. Give the Ascent Network a call today at 1-877-871-2400. Ascent Network helps consumers all over the United States and is available locally in Huntington Beach, CA, Coachella Valley, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Thousand Palms.
A debt collection company is a company or agency that collects payments on outstanding debts. Debt collectors work for creditors, such as banks, credit card companies, and retailers. They may also be buyers who purchase debt at a fraction of its face value with the intent of recovering the entire debt owed.
If you have defaulted on your payments or any outstanding debt, you may have received regular phone calls and letters from a collection agency trying to recover the debt.
If you are in such a situation, understanding how debt collectors work will help you know how to deal with them. We will discuss all you need to know about debt collection and the debt assistance available to you.
When you stop making payments, your account is sent to a debt collector, and this information shows up on your credit report as collections. Your credit score takes a hit, and you start receiving calls and letters from debt collectors. But what can you do when a debt collector contacts you?
Reputable debt collectors do not use scare tactics or intimidation to retrieve money from the past-due account. Instead, they should name the original creditor, including how much you owe them. They should also inform you that you have 30 days to dispute the debt in writing if the collection account is erroneous.
If a debt collector contacts you, you have the right to request verification of the debt. If they can’t prove that you are the defaulter, you can ask them to cease contacting you and to remove the collection from your credit report.
Debt collectors work on a commission basis, meaning they only get paid if they successfully collect payments, or they may also charge a fee for their services.
If you cannot agree with your debtor, you can use an attorney to advise you on the best action to take. Credible credit repair companies also help negotiate with debtors on your behalf and also provide financial advice regarding your debt.
Debt collectors typically contact debtors by phone, email, or letter to request payment. If you do not respond to a debt collector’s request for payment, the debt collector may take legal action, such as filing a lawsuit to recover the debt. If the judgement is passed against you, a debt collection agency may seize your possession or wages to pay for the debt.
Ignoring debt collectors is also detrimental because your debt will keep growing as interest will keep piling up.
When you ignore debt collectors, you may miss validating if the debt is legitimate or not. This may harm your credit score even though the debt is erroneous.
Whether it’s legitimate or not, getting in touch with the debt collector provides more insight into the debt. If it turns out that there was an error in the collection letter, it helps prevent any late fees or penalties from being charged against your account.
N/B: If you receive a court summons regarding your debt, it is wise not to ignore it as it may be legitimate. Unscrupulous debt collectors may fabricate one. However, you should look up the court’s contact information online to confirm the accuracy of the notice. To avoid manipulation from unscrupulous debt collectors, do not use the contact information on the document you receive.
If a debt collector has contacted you, you have certain rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. For example, a debt collector may not contact you at an unreasonable time or place or use abusive or threatening language.
Debt collectors can not pretend to work for a government or consumer reporting agency. They are also prohibited from publicly shaming you for your debt or collecting a debt you don’t owe.
A debt collector is forbidden from calling you before 8:00 a.m or after 9:00 p.m. If you request in writing for them to stop calling you regarding your debt, they are mandated to honor your wish and stop contacting you.
If you think a debt collector has violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you can file a complaint with the FCPB.
You can remove collections from your report by disputing inaccurate information such as:
People do many things when they find themselves in financial trouble, such as late payments, but they don’t always think through the consequences of their actions. Before you pay off collections, you should ask yourself these questions:
You are required to pay your debts on time to have a good credit score. However, if you are late on payments, debt collectors will try to collect the money owed to them. You will receive lots of calls and letters as they try to collect a debt. If you feel they are harassing you, you can write and ask them to stop contacting you or file a complaint. Here at Ascent Network, we help you manage your debts and remove collections from your report to maintain a good credit score.
A more positive outlook toward a more financially secure future starts today. Give the Ascent Network a call today at 1-877-871-2400. Ascent Network helps consumers all over the United States, and it is available locally in Huntington Beach, CA, Coachella Valley, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Thousand Palms.
If you want to stay on top of your finances, a good credit score is essential. There are things that will improve your credit score.
Your credit score can help you qualify for loans. It gives you better interest rates and even gets you a lower insurance premium.
If your score is not looking good, It is worth taking the time to improve your number. Here are seven things you can do that will help improve your credit score.
This is the first point that can’t go without mentioning. It is what gets most people on the lower end of the score. If you want a good credit score, you need to pay all your bills on time. This has the biggest impact on your overall rating.
Your credit utilization ratio (how much of your available credit you’re using) is another major factor in your FICO score. Keeping your balances low will help improve your score in this area. Avoid using more than 30 percent of each card limit each month.
The higher the balance in comparison to the limit, the more it can affect your score negatively. Utilizing less than this amount will help keep your score up while paying down balances. This means if you have $15,000 in available credit across several cards and use more than $5,000 at any given time, it can hurt your score.
Every time someone pulls your credit report, it shows up as an “inquiry” and can lower your score slightly. Credit inquiry doesn’t have a huge effect as long as you get the quotes within 30 days of each other. Doing so will limit the impact on your credit score. Also, ensure you aren’t opening many new accounts or have more than six inquiries.
When applying for new credit cards or loans, get quotes within 30 days of each other. Doing so will limit the impact on your credit score.
If you suspect unauthorized inquiries, dispute those errors, and the fastest way to dispute and boost your score is with the help of a credit expert like Ascent Network. Limit Inquiries on Your Credit Report.
Paying off debts is a great way to improve your credit score or utilize debt consolidation services. The lower the debt you have, the better your chances of improving your score. You can also consolidate your debts into a single large debt with favorable interest rates and payoff terms and pay them quickly. Focus on paying off your credit cards with the highest interest rates first and, if possible, pay more than the minimum payment due.
Don’t close old accounts that you don’t use anymore. But rather keep them open and active by using them once in a while. If they don’t have an annual fee, there’s no reason to close them in order to improve your credit score.
If you have bad credit, you’re not alone. According to the Federal Reserve, more than half of Americans have a credit score under 680.
It is very important to check your credit history at least thrice a year to know your credit score. You will detect fraudulent activities since it is easy for criminals to open credit cards in your name.
A secured credit card will help you manage your finances better. You will be required to deposit some cash to open the account. Credit card companies will report your credit score to credit bureaus as you keep using the secured credit account. So, be sure to make at least minimum payments on time to improve your score.
What should you do to manage your finances and not default in repaying your debts? Organize: Make sure your files are in order, so it’s easy to find bills and statements needed to create a budget.
Key Takeaway
Credit scores are used by lenders as a way to predict how likely you are to repay the money you borrow. The higher your score is, the more willing lenders will be to take a chance on you. People with higher scores than yours are offered lower interest rates and better terms on loans and credit cards. It is best to take charge and improve your credit score to enjoy the
benefits.
A more positive outlook toward a more financially secure future starts today. Give the Ascent Network a call today at 1-877-871-2400. Ascent Network helps consumers all over the United States and is available locally in Huntington Beach, CA, Coachella Valley, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho
Mirage, Palm Desert, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Thousand Palms.
If you’re struggling with debt, you may be receiving calls from a debt collector. These calls can be very overwhelming and emotionally draining. You may have wondered, “Can I tell them to stop calling? How do I stop bill collectors from calling my cell phone?” Fortunately, resources and laws are in place to help you. … Continued
Read MoreA debt collection company is a company or agency that collects payments on outstanding debts. Debt collectors work for creditors, such as banks, credit card companies, and retailers. They may also be buyers who purchase debt at a fraction of its face value with the intent of recovering the entire debt owed. If you have … Continued
Read MoreIf you want to stay on top of your finances, a good credit score is essential. There are things that will improve your credit score. Your credit score can help you qualify for loans. It gives you better interest rates and even gets you a lower insurance premium. If your score is not looking good, … Continued
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