Debt Collector: Restricted Contact Letter

// debt collector response — restricted contact

"Here's How To Contact Me"

Use this letter to tell a debt collector how they may contact you and to instruct them not to contact you any other way. Under federal law, debt collectors can't contact you at a time or place they know is inconvenient. They also can't contact you at work if you tell them your employer prohibits it. Be careful not to over-restrict — if you want to work something out, you don't want to make it too hard for them to reach you.

Back to dispute letters [YOUR NAME] [YOUR RETURN ADDRESS] [DATE] [DEBT COLLECTOR NAME] [DEBT COLLECTOR ADDRESS] Re: [ACCOUNT NUMBER FOR THE DEBT, IF YOU HAVE IT] Dear debt collector: I am responding to your contact about collecting a debt. You contacted me by [PHONE/MAIL], on [DATE] and identified the debt as [ANY INFORMATION THEY GAVE YOU ABOUT THE DEBT]. You can contact me about this debt, but only in the way I say below. Don't contact me about this debt in any other way, or at any other place or time. It is inconvenient to me to be contacted except as I authorize below. You can only contact me at: Mailing address: [MAILING ADDRESS IF YOU WANT TO GET MAIL] Phone: [PHONE NUMBER AND CONVENIENT TIMES] [IF CORRECT, INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:] My employer prohibits me from receiving communications like this at work. Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME]

Sending instructions

• Fill in your information on the template and edit as needed
• Specify exactly how and when you can be contacted
• Include the work restriction paragraph only if your employer prohibits such communications
• Print and send the letter — keep a copy for your records
• Send via certified mail with return receipt
• Stopping a collector from calling doesn't cancel the debt — you could still be sued
• In some cases, phone calls are the best way to deal with a debt collector