Get Your 100% Free
Debt Relief Consult
How to Stop Telemarketer or Collections Calls in Ohio
Telephone Harassment Can Be Stopped
You don’t have to deal with repeated and unwanted telephone calls 24/7. LHA will defend your rights and determine if they’ve been violated.
Get Your 100% Free Debt Relief Consult
Call LHA: 888-726-3181
Collection Calls
Collection calls may come from an original creditor or a third-party debt collection company. The federal law, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), applies to third-party debt collection agencies. However, state laws apply many of the same rules to original creditors.
How to Stop Collection Calls
You have a right to stop collector calls under the FDCPA. You can ask a creditor or collection agency to stop contacting you by telephone. You may also send a letter asking them not to call you. Often, a letter can be more effective and produces a record if the creditor or collection agency continues to call you in violation of the law.
It’s important to note that asking a creditor to stop calling you does not make the debt go away, and the creditor may take other action – including suing you and garnishing your wages – to collect the debt unless you can prove that you don’t owe the debt.
Stopping Debt Collector Calls: A Sample Letter
Here is a sample letter you might use to request that a collection agency stop calling you.
Your Name
Your Mailing Address
Date
Creditor or Collection Agency Name
Mailing Address
Re: Account Number (or other information to identify the debt)
Dear [Creditor Name]:
I am writing in response to your efforts to contact me to collect a debt. The debt you referenced was [include any details you have about the debt, such as amount, what the debt was for, and who the original creditor was]. You contacted me on [date of call or calls].
Pursuant to my rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I request that you cease all telephone communications with me about this debt.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincere,
Your Name
The creditor may contact you after your request to confirm that they won’t contact you again or to notify you that they plan to pursue additional action such as a lawsuit. If you think you’re going to be sued, you should consult an experienced debt collections defense attorney to learn about your options.
Not Just Any Debt Attorney
As a founding partner of LHA, Jeremiah E. Heck focuses on protecting his clients’ rights against telemarketers and debt collectors who violate state and federal laws by harassing debtors.
How To Stop Telemarketing Calls
Telemarketing calls are direct consumer sales calls from a company or automated “robocalls.” They are often intrusive and rampant with fraud.
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act is a federal law that governs telemarketers and telephone solicitation. When you get unwanted calls from a telemarketer, you can do a couple of things.
Find Out Who’s Calling
Get the telemarketer’s name, the company or organization’s name on whose behalf they’re calling, and contact information, including a telephone number or address. FCC rules say they have to provide this information.
Make a Do-Not-Call Request
Tell the telemarketer that you don’t want to be called again. FCC rules say they have to comply with a do-not-call request.
Register on the National Do-Not-Call List
Add your name to the national Do-Not-Call list at www.donotcall.gov or call 888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. You can register a landline or a cell phone at no cost. Once you register, telemarketers have 31 days to stop the calls and remove you from their lists.
What If a Telemarketer Continues to Call?
If the telemarketer continues to call, you can use the contact information to file a complaint with the FCC. You can do that in one of three ways:
- Online at https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/
- By telephone at 888-225-5322 or 888-CALL-FCC
- By sending a letter with your name, address, phone number, email address, and a detailed description of your complaint to:Federal Communications Commission
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20554
The FCC can warn the telephone solicitor or fine companies that violate the rules. However, not all telemarketer calls are against the rules or can be stopped using these methods.
Some solicitation calls are allowed even you add your number to the Do-Not-Call list. Those include calls made with your express permission and calls on behalf of or from charities and nonprofits.
Why Use a Debtor Defense Lawyer
If telemarketers or debt collectors constantly contact you, even after you have requested that they stop, they could be violating the law. The best answer is to contact an attorney who can help.
Communicate with Creditors
If you have been receiving constant calls, you are likely tired of trying to get the communication to stop. Let LHA step in and demand that the creditors stop contacting you.
File a Claim to Protect Your Rights
You have rights under state and federal laws that telemarketers and creditors often violate with harassing and constant calls. An attorney can help you file a claim against these companies for violating your rights.
Discuss Relief Options
If you have creditors calling you constantly, you still have rights. LHA is a full-service consumer law firm, and we can present you with all of your debt relief options.