Are Debt Collectors Allowed to Call from Local Numbers?

When you are late in repaying your debts, your creditor can send a debt collector. Unfortunately, not all debt collection agencies follow the regulations and standards outlined by the FDCPA regarding how and when to contact customers. Debt collectors calling from local numbers without presenting their identity to you contravenes both the FDCPA act and the state laws. If a debt collector is harassing you, do not pay can help. We can help you determine whether your debt collector is compliant with the FDCPA and specific state laws. We'll also help you decide the appropriate course of action to take and contact the debt collectors with a demand letter on your behalf asking them to stop continuous calls. If you choose to report the collection agency to the CFPB instead, we'll file the complaint on your behalf.

What Is the FDCPA?

Fair Debt Collections Practices Act is a federal law that prohibits a debt collection agency from using unfair means to collect or attempt to collect any debt. The act is designed to prevent abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection activities. The following are the five ways FDCPA prohibits unfair debt collection practices:

• Debt collectors are not allowed to contact you before 8 a.m. Or after 9 p.m.
• Collectors can't contact you at work once you ask them not to
• They must communicate through your attorney if you have one
• Collectors are prohibited from sharing your debt details with third parties such as your employer and family
• They must stop contacts entirely if you request them to stop

What Happens If I Ignore Debt Collectors?

Avoiding or ignoring a debt collector is rarely a wise decision. Debt collection agencies have several ways to pursue delinquent debtors, including filing a lawsuit against you. Debt errors do happen and instead of ignoring a debt, request a validation letter to the creditor or collection agency demanding more information regarding your debt.

What Is a Debt Validation Letter?

As mentioned earlier, when a debt collector contacts you about an unpaid debt, your first step is to obtain a debt validation letter. A validation letter is a letter that a person sends to a collection agency or creditor requesting proof the debt in question is legal and that it is within the state's statute of limitations. Under the FDCPA, collection agencies are mandated to prove the debt is legitimate and legally yours.

How to Respond to a Debt Collector Calling from Local Numbers On Your Own

If you have decided to take matters into your own hands, take the following steps:

1. Once you receive the validation letter from the debt collection agency, take time to go through it. As mentioned earlier, errors are common with debt collection.
2. Check and verify that all information is correct and up to date. Check the amount owed, what the debt was for, and the collector's identity.
3. If there are any unanswered questions or you need to be provided with further information, file a debt verification request.
4. Once you verify the debt, you can choose to either:

• Pay off the debt
• Ask the debt collector to stop contacting you.
• Specify how you want them to communicate with you, whether it's through your lawyer or asking them not to call you at work
• Report them to the FTC and CFPB for unethical debt collection practices if you believe they've violated the FDCPA.

Here is the information on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau which enforces the FDCPA.

Understandably, the DIY method to respond to debt collection is tiresome. DoNotPay can help you save valuable time on this process. Through our new debt collection product, we will contact debt collectors with a demand letter on your behalf asking for verification or that they stop the collection. If you choose to report the collection agency to the CFPB instead, we'll file the complaint on your behalf.

Solve Debt Collections Issues With the Help of DoNotPay

If you have received harassing calls from debt collectors, DoNotPay is here for you. We will help you determine if your debt collector is compliant with the FDCPA. We will also determine whether the debt is still within the state statute of limitations. After guiding you through a series of questions, we'll help you decide which course of action you should take and contact the debt collectors with a demand letter on your behalf. Here is how to get started:

Here’s how it works:

1. Search “debt collection” on DoNotPay.

2. Answer a series of questions about the debt collectors, including when you were contacted and how you were contacted, so we can determine if they have violated any debt collection laws.

3. Decide which course of action you want to take based on our guidance, such as filing a debt verification request, demanding for the collectors to stop contacting you, or reporting them to the CFPB.

And that’s it! Once you choose the course of action you want to take, DoNotPay will handle the rest. We’ll deliver your request directly to the debt collectors via first-class mail, or file your complaint automatically with the CFPB so that they’re no longer able to use unfair debt collection practices.

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Let DoNotPay Help You Determine Your Rights Regarding Receiving Calls from Debt Collectors

If you are being harassed by a debt collector calling you from numbers that match your area code, you are not alone. Debt collectors use different tactics to contact delinquent debtors. Even if debt collectors are allowed to call from local numbers, the FDCPA restricts them from unfair or inappropriate calling practices. DoNotPay can help you stop those calls. We will determine whether your debt collector is compliant with the FDCPA. We will also guide you into choosing the best option available to resolve the issue. Contact us today to learn more.

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You may need more than our Stop Debt Collectors product. We have an array of products that will make your life a lot easier;

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