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Stop Harassing Bill Collector Calls

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Stop Harassing Bill Collector Calls

What to do When a Bill Collector Calls

Connecticut may be known as the land of plenty, but our Bankruptcy clients rarely feel that’s an accurate description. Our clients dread the constant phone calls from collectors. Bill collectors can be intimidating, but do you know you have the right to just say “no”? The first step may be the very simple step of simply asking your creditors to stop calling. They are not allowed to call you if you tell them to stop. If you do speak to them, listen carefully – they may go beyond the limit of what they are legally allowed to do and/or say and give you the opportunity to turn the tables and make a claim against them.

In Connecticut, it is illegal for a bill collector to harass you, threaten you, or tell you they will put you in jail.
If a bill collector is harassing you, threatening you, or telling you they will have you put in jail, give us a call immediately.

Keep the following in mind for greater confidence when answering bill collector calls.
  1. Be truthful. Lies will surely come back to haunt you. Don't tell a bill collector that "the check's in the mail- if it isn't. Your lie or promise will likely be recited back to you in a later telephone call - creditors often tape most calls and track all information.
  2. Take notes. The collector will be taking notes, and you should too. Keep track of what you told them and what they told you. Also, write down the first and last name of the person with whom you spoke and the date and time at which they called. Get their direct number or extension. Ask for their employee number. This information will be helpful if you speak with someone from this company again and/or if you get something you can use to bring a claim against them.
  3. Explain a temporary financial problem. If you're experiencing a temporary setback in your finances, go ahead and explain the situation to the collector. They may give you time to get through your situation. However, you should always keep Rule #1 in mind - tell the truth.
  4. Admit if you cannot pay your bills. This takes much of the power away from an aggressive bill collector. If you have already hired us, give the caller our name and number. Creditors are not supposed to call you back if you have an attorney.
  5. Remind the caller of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The purpose of the Act is to provide guidelines for collection agencies which are seeking to collect legitimate debts, while also providing protection and remedies for consumers who are subjected to harassment. If a creditor exceeds their authority, you may be able to make a claim against them.
  6. Get help. If you cannot pay your bills, call us today. Get the facts. We'll be glad to give you an initial consultation for FREE.