If you find collection calls annoying or stressful, you may be thinking of disconnecting or changing your phone number so that you finally have some peace of mind. This is not the best of ideas, however, as you will have to deal with your debts at some point in time. If you want to stop collection calls, one thing to do is to let them know your preferred method of communication is in writing. This will work in your favor by all means because you have a record of everything the collector and you have said. If you find that your debt collector violates the law, you have evidence on your hands and can initiate legal action against them.

It is important not to get overexcited though. Your creditors are the ones you owe money to, and they have their rights too, which is to collect their money. If you refuse to communicate with them, there is no way they know your situation. With this in mind, there are rules in place which debt collectors are required to follow.

To handle the situation properly, find out what debt collectors can and cannot do. While the legislation is similar in all territories and provinces of Canada, it is not identical. In general, collectors are allowed to call and contact you, but calling fifteen times a day is considered harassment. Calling once a day is not, however. If you believe this is what they do (they harass you), keep record of the frequency and time of collection calls. You will need this information if you want to make a complaint against them. Another thing to know is that debt collectors are not allowed to contact your neighbors, relatives, or friends to ask for information. One exception is if they need your phone number or your address. Other exceptions are if another party has cosigned for a service or goods you purchased.

One way to stop collectors from calling is to write a cease and desist letter. This is a type of letter which requires that an institution or an individual stop certain action against you, refraining from doing so in the future. In case the recipient fails to comply, legal action may follow. A cease and desist letter can be written by anyone, but keep in mind that this letter does not apply to the original lender and only to debt collectors. The purpose of the letter is to stop any sort of communication between you.

What happens after the debt collector receives your letter? They are allowed to communicate with you one more time and via mail, informing you of one of the following: the debt collector may take certain actions; the debt collector will terminate further efforts to contact you and collect debts; or the collector is certain to take actions against you.

Send the letter by certified mail, as to prove that the letter has been received. If the collector communicates with you more than once, you can seek a punitive action against them.