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We're the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a U.S. government agency that makes sure banks, lenders, and other financial companies treat you fairly.
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The content on this page provides general consumer information. It is not legal advice or regulatory guidance. The CFPB updates this information periodically. This information may include links or references to third-party resources or content. We do not endorse the third-party or guarantee the accuracy of this third-party information. There may be other resources that also serve your needs.
FAQs
Stopping communication with a debt collector doesn't make the debt go away. In fact, they may find alternative ways to collect it from you. For example, they can file a lawsuit against you or report negative information to a credit reporting company, although that won't always happen.
What happens if you avoid debt collectors? ›
Ignoring or avoiding a debt collector, though, is unlikely to make the debt collector stop contacting you. They may find other ways to contact you, including filing a lawsuit. While being contacted by a debt collector might feel overwhelming, talking with them can help you get more information about the debt.
What happens if you ignore debt letters? ›
Don't ignore the letter - this is called a 'notice of enforcement'. If you do the bailiffs can visit your home after 7 days. As well as collecting payment for the debt they can charge you fees so you could end up owing more money. There are things you can do to stop them coming if you act quickly.
What happens if a debt collector does not respond? ›
Failing to respond to a Debt Validation Letter while continuing to collect on the debt is a direct violation of the FDCPA. You can report a debt collector's failure to respond to your state's attorney general, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), or the FTC.
What happens if you don't call back a debt collector? ›
Also, if the debt collector is collecting a valid debt, avoiding or ignoring their call usually won't make them go away – they may instead find other ways to collect the money from you, including by filing a lawsuit.
Will debt go away if I ignore it? ›
When it comes to debt collection calls, it is never clever to ignore them. In fact, it may make things a lot worse for you. The debt collector may file a collections lawsuit in court, which could lead to the garnishing of wages, seizure of personal property, or money taken from your bank accounts.
How do I get rid of debt collectors without paying? ›
You can sue the debt collector for violating the FDCPA. If you sue under the FDCPA and win, the debt collector must generally pay your attorney's fees and might also have to pay you damages. If you're having trouble with debt collection, you can submit a complaint with the CFPB.
What is the 11 word phrase to stop debt collectors? ›
If you are struggling with debt and debt collectors, Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can help. As soon as you use the 11-word phrase “please cease and desist all calls and contact with me immediately” to stop the harassment, call us for a free consultation about what you can do to resolve your debt problems for good.
Do debt collectors give up? ›
There is no general rule as to how long they will wait before giving up. More typically, after an extended period of time, collectors will sell the debt to another collection agency for peanuts. So, if you owe what is being attempted to be collected, it could be some time before you stop getting calls.
What happens if you tell a debt collector you refuse to pay? ›
If you don't pay, the collection agency can sue you to try to collect the debt. If successful, the court may grant them the authority to garnish your wages or bank account or place a lien on your property.
Debt collectors are limited on when they can call you — typically, between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. They are not allowed to call you at work. They can't lie or harass you. Debt collectors can't make you pay more than you owe or threaten you with arrest, jail time, property liens or wage garnishment if you don't pay.
What not to say to a debt collector? ›
Debt collectors may ask questions to verify your identity, but you should never provide sensitive or financial information, at least not until you've verified the debt and that it's not a scam.
What happens if you are never contacted by a debt collector? ›
If a bill that's reported to debt collection never came to you first, you can file a dispute with the credit bureaus. In your dispute, say that you were never notified of the debt.
Can I just ignore debt collectors? ›
If you get a summons notifying you that a debt collector is suing you, don't ignore it. If you do, the collector may be able to get a default judgment against you (that is, the court enters judgment in the collector's favor because you didn't respond to defend yourself) and garnish your wages and bank account.
What happens if you ignore debt collection letters? ›
Legal action: Ignoring debt collectors could lead to a lawsuit. You might face wage garnishment or property seizure if the court rules in the debt collector's favour.
What happens if you never pay a debt collector? ›
If you never pay a debt in collections, the immediate consequence is a significant negative impact on your credit score. This derogatory mark can stay on your credit report for seven years, affecting your ability to secure loans, credit cards, and favorable interest rates.
Is it true you don't have to pay a debt collector? ›
If you refuse to pay a debt collection agency, they may file a lawsuit against you. Debt collection lawsuits are no joke. You can't just ignore them in the hopes that they'll go away. If you receive a Complaint from a debt collector, you must respond within a time frame determined by your jurisdiction.
