Here’s the deal: under federal law, if a debt collector is contacting you about a debt, you have the right to tell them to stop. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), if you ask a debt collector to stop all contact, they must stop. That’s not a suggestion. That’s the law.
The smartest move is to make that request in writing. Send a letter (certified mail is a good idea so you have proof it was received) stating that you want them to stop contacting you. Once they receive it, federal law says they generally cannot communicate or attempt to communicate with you further about that debt. Keep a copy of everything you send.
Important to know: there are narrow exceptions. Even after receiving your letter, a collector is still allowed to contact you one final time — for example, to let you know they plan to take a specific action like filing a lawsuit. So don’t panic if you receive one more communication after your letter arrives. After that, contact must stop.
Also worth knowing: this law covers third-party debt collectors — meaning companies hired to collect a debt on someone else’s behalf. It does not always apply to the original company you owed money to (like a bank or a store). If you’re unsure who is contacting you, ask them to identify themselves in writing.
Debt collectors are also limited on social media — they can’t publicly post about a debt they claim you owe. They can reach out to you privately on social media, but if you tell them not to contact you that way, they have to stop. If they contact you by email or text, they’re required to give you a simple way to opt out of those too.
Even before you send that letter, collectors can’t call you more than seven times within a seven-day period, or within seven days after actually speaking with you by phone about a specific debt. And if you tell them it’s an inconvenient time to talk, they’re required to end the call.
Your rights here are real and backed by federal law. You don’t have to just tolerate harassment. Put your request in writing, keep your copy, and know that the law is on your side.