Use This 11 Word Phrase to Stop Debt Collectors
The 11-word phrase "Please cease and desist all calls and contact with me, immediately" legally stops debt collectors from calling you. While this stops the harassment, it doesn't eliminate your debt, so you need a strategy to resolve it through validation, dispute, or settlement to avoid a lawsuit and potential wage garnishment.
Stop Collectors NowDebt collectors won’t stop calling. You feel harassed, stressed, and overwhelmed by their constant demands.
You have more power than you think. One simple phrase can stop debt collectors from calling you.
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Answer Your LawsuitHere are the 11 words you need: “Please cease and desist all calls and contact with me, immediately.”
These words force collectors to stop phoning you. They must communicate through written correspondence only.
What You Should Do When Debt Collectors Contact You
Ignoring calls might seem tempting. Ignoring a lawsuit is a terrible mistake.
You need to find out if you actually owe the debt. Check if the statute of limitations is still active.
Never confirm the debt is yours during phone conversations. Collectors will use your admission against you in court.
Send a Debt Validation Letter within 30 days of first contact. This document forces collectors to verify they have the right to collect.
Many collectors give up after receiving a validation request. They often lack proper documentation to prove the debt.
If you face a lawsuit, our partner Solo can help you respond correctly and protect your rights.
Understanding the 11-Word Credit Loophole
You have the right to stop debt collector calls. This right exists even if you legitimately owe the debt.
Your goal is simple: get collectors to stop calling. Force them to communicate through written letters only.
Say these 11 words clearly: “Please cease and desist all calls and contact with me, immediately.”
Put your request in writing after saying it. Collectors must honor written cease and desist requests.
What the Law Says About Debt Collector Calls
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects your rights. Federal law limits what debt collectors can do.
Debt collectors cannot engage in these practices:
- Call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
- Use vulgar or obscene language to intimidate you
- Threaten legal action they don’t plan to take
- Pretend to be police officers or judges
- Discuss your debt with anyone except you, your spouse, or your attorney
- Call you at work when your employer prohibits it
- Tell you that you’ll be arrested for unpaid debt
- Sue you for debt past the statute of limitations
Collectors who violate these rules face serious consequences. You may be eligible for compensation up to $1,000 per violation.
File a counterclaim if a collector violates your FDCPA rights. Report violations to the FTC or CFPB immediately.
How to Outsmart Debt Collectors
Debt collectors count on your ignorance. They expect you to make mistakes that help their case.
You can protect yourself by following these strategies:
- Keep detailed records of all communication with collectors
- Send a Debt Validation Letter to force verification
- Write a cease and desist letter
- Dispute debts that aren’t legitimate
- Review your credit reports carefully
- Explain if you cannot afford to pay
- Verify they have your current address
Each of these tactics gives you leverage. Collectors will think twice before pursuing aggressive action.
Keep a Record of All Communication
Document every single conversation with debt collectors. Note the collector’s name, what they said, and when they called.
Save all voicemails and messages. Abusive language becomes evidence in a potential countersuit.
Your records will reveal patterns of harassment. They’ll also catch collectors in inconsistent statements.
Send a Debt Validation Letter
Suspect the debt isn’t yours? Send a Debt Validation Letter within 30 days.
This letter forces collectors to prove the debt is valid. They must show they have the right to collect it.
Many collectors purchase old debts for pennies on the dollar. They often lose documentation during the transfer process.
Most collectors give up when asked to validate. They simply don’t have the required proof.
Write a Cease and Desist Letter
The FDCPA gives you the right to stop collector communication. You must make your request in writing.
Collectors can only contact you after that to notify you of specific actions. They might inform you about a lawsuit or that they’re stopping collection efforts.
Understand that stopping contact doesn’t erase your debt. You still need a long-term strategy to resolve it.
Explain the Debt Is Not Legitimate
Believe you shouldn’t pay the debt? Make your case to the collector.
Tell them the debt is uncollectable. Present your supporting information and documentation.
Valid reasons may convince collectors to voluntarily stop collection. Otherwise, you’ll present your defense in court if they sue.
Review Your Credit Reports
Get a free credit report from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion annually. Check them carefully for unfamiliar accounts.
Dispute any inaccurate information with the credit bureaus. Errors on your report can hurt your credit score.
Identifying fraudulent accounts protects you from paying debts you don’t owe.
Explain That You Cannot Afford to Pay
Can’t afford to pay your debt? Explaining your situation may help.
Collectors might move on to easier targets. Your file may not go to court.
Never admit the debt is yours during these conversations. Don’t promise to pay or do anything that restarts the statute of limitations.
Verify They Have Your Current Address
Don’t hide from debt collectors by changing your address. You need to receive all correspondence, especially lawsuit documents.
Ask collectors to stop calling, then confirm they have your current address. Missing a summons leads to default judgments.
Default judgments give collectors the power to garnish wages. They can even take money directly from your bank account.
What to Remember When Talking to Collectors
The 11-word phrase stops phone calls. Your debt still exists and needs a resolution strategy.
Never give out personal information like bank account numbers. Don’t share your social security number over the phone.
Avoid making small payments to “get them off your back.” Even small payments can restart the statute of limitations.
Never make promises or admit the debt is valid. Your words can be used against you later.
If collectors sue you, our partner Solo helps you respond and negotiate settlements for significantly less than you owe.
Example: How the 11-Word Phrase Works
Walker owed $1,550 on an unpaid credit card. Collectors called him constantly for six months.
He used the 11-word phrase: “Please cease and desist all calls and contact with me, immediately.”
The calls stopped. But a few weeks later, Walker received a lawsuit summons.
Walker responded to the lawsuit with our partner Solo. He negotiated a settlement and paid only 50% of the original debt.
Walker now pays $755 instead of $1,550. He avoided a default judgment and wage garnishment.
Your Rights When Collectors Call
You control how collectors communicate with you. Federal law guarantees your rights.
Collectors must respect your boundaries. They cannot harass, threaten, or deceive you.
Use the 11-word phrase to take back control. Stop the harassment and handle your debt on your terms.
Remember that stopping calls doesn’t eliminate your debt. You need a comprehensive strategy to resolve it.
Face a debt collector lawsuit? Don’t ignore it. Respond quickly to protect your rights and negotiate better terms.