How to Make Debt Collectors Go Away Without Paying

A debt collector buys debt or collects payments for past-due accounts on behalf of other businesses. If you are one of the millions of people in debt, you may be looking for ways to eliminate the financial burden without paying off the debt. Unfortunately, people often fight their debt problems for years, sometimes ending up in court. Struggling to eliminate debt can be difficult and disheartening, but you don't have to do it all by yourself. DoNotPay can help you deal with your debt collector woes. We can help you in what to do if you can’t pay.

US consumer debt reached $4.38 trillion in October 2021, with an average indebted consumer owing $92,727. For some people, the debt is greater than their income. Such a large amount of debt is a considerable burden, especially for low-income families who may be using credit just to keep their heads above water. Typically, debt collectors do not care about your problems or why you are in debt. They just want to be paid. However, if you have a debt to pay, you do have options to protect yourself. Start by assessing what you owe and to whom.

What Is Consumer Debt?

The term "consumer debt" refers to how much money people owe on loans, credit cards, or other credit instruments. There are different types of debt with varying consequences for non-payment. For example, unpaid debt that goes to collections can stay on your credit report for seven years.

Options for Getting Out of Debt Without Paying

Even if you have debt you can't pay, you still have options. Bankruptcy may sound like an easy way to start over, but it can have long-lasting financial consequences. In general, the goal of the debt collectors is to get you to pay, so you may be able to negotiate a payment plan or lower amount. Debt relief programs differ based mainly on the type of debt.

How to Get Out of Student Loan Debt Without Paying

Most of the following programs require that you make qualifying, timely payments each month, and not everyone qualifies.

• Income-based plans: These adjust your payments based on your income. After many years, the loan balance may be forgiven.
• Public service loan forgiveness: This program is for people who work in the public sector for a qualifying employer.
• Teacher loan forgiveness: Teachers who work five consecutive years at low-income schools may qualify for some types of loan forgiveness.
• Perkins loan cancellation: Teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and others may be eligible for Perkins Loan cancellation.
• Closed school discharge: If your school closed while you were a student or soon thereafter, you may qualify to have your federal student loans discharged.

How to Get Out of Credit Card Debt Without Paying

Stop paying your credit card bill - If you do this, the debt will probably be turned over to a collection agency, affecting your credit score. However, there is a statute of limitations that varies from state to state, which determines how long creditors have to sue you for outstanding credit card debt.

Debt settlement - Under some circumstances, you may be able to settle your debt for less than what you owe.

What Is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)?

The FDCPA is a federal law enacted in 1978 to eliminate abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices. Among the provisions of this law, a debt collector cannot:

• Ask you to pay more than you owe
• Ask you to pay interest, fees, or expenses not allowed by law
• Call repeatedly or continuously
• Use obscene, profane, or abusive language
• Call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
• Call at inconvenient times
• Threaten or use violence

You can also contact them here:

Should You Write a Letter to the Debt Collectors?

Generally, it is best to deal with debt collectors in writing. For example, you can write a letter repeating what you may have already said, such as asking for evidence of the debt or demanding that the phone calls end. If you receive a written account of the debt from the debt collector, send your response within 30 days. Send all correspondence to the debt collector by certified mail and request a return receipt.

How to Get Rid of Debt Collectors Without Paying on Your Own

1. Gather the facts. Sometimes, there are recordkeeping mistakes when a creditor sells a debt to a third party. There may be an error concerning who owes the debt or how much is owed.
2. If you have concerns about the debt, send a verification request.
3. Once the debt collector has responded, verify the original creditor, reason for the debt, amount owed, and identity of the debt collection agency.
4. Confirm the appropriate Statute of Limitations.
5. If the debt is yours, collect your own records on the debt and history of payments.
6. Make copies of all documentation related to the debt, proof of payments, and records of communication with the debt collector.
7. Know your rights and how to use them. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is there for your protection. If you believe the debt collector violates this law, report them to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
8. Try to negotiate a debt settlement in which you would pay less than you owe in a lump-sum payment. If you choose to negotiate a settlement, do not give them any money until you have the settlement offer in writing. Also do not give them a personal check or access to your bank account.

Get Rid of Debt Collectors Without Paying With the Help of DoNotPay

If you are being harassed by debt collectors or are unsure how to proceed, DoNotPay can contact the debt collectors or file a complaint against them on your behalf. 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.

DoNotPay Handles All Kinds of Difficulties

Dealing with debt collectors on your own is a long, stressful ordeal and there’s always a chance for them to send you to court if you don’t settle it right away. . However, DoNotPay can provide fast, easy and effective relief for many problems. For example, you may be having trouble canceling a subscription or membership, increasing your credit limit, cleaning up your credit report, problem with medical bills, or getting help with other bills. Whatever the problem, let DoNotPay help out.