How to Fight Credit Collection Agencies

Collection agencies are regulated by the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which gives the companies a list of allowable and prohibited practices they can use to collect debt. You do not have to deal with agencies who harass you over the phone, try to make you pay more than you owe to the creditor or who are bothering you over a debt you don't even owe.

• 1

  Read through the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to understand your rights and the regulation of collectors. See if the collector has violated the regulations, such as calling you outside of the proscribed time period or harassing you over the phone.

• 2

  Demand validation of the debt the collection agency claims you own. You can do this by sending a letter to the collection stating that you dispute the debt and need proof that you owe it. Send the letter by certified mail. The agency has 30 days to validate the debt or drop the collection account if the debt cannot be validated.

• 3

  Send a cease and desist letter telling the collection agency to no longer contact you by phone. This letter stops the collector from calling you at your home or workplace, and the only communication allowed is if the collector is taking legal action. Send this letter by certified mail.

• 4

  File a complaint with your state's attorney general if the collection agency is not adhering to collection practices. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).