According to the Colorado Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (CFDCPA), a debt collector cannot harass, oppress, or abuse you or any person in connection with the collection of a debt.
Harassment or abuse may include:
- Threat of violence or harm to you, your reputation, or your property.
- The use of obscene or profane language.
- Publication of a list of consumers who allegedly refuse to pay debts.
- Repeatedly or continuously calling you with intent to annoy, abuse, or harass.
- Calling outside of the allowable time period of 8:00am to 9:00pm.
- Not properly disclosing the caller’s identity.
A debt-collector also cannot make false or misleading statements about the amount owed, or make false threats about having you arrested or legal action. (Please read: Can I be arrested if I don’t pay a debt?)
How to get a debt collector to stop calling:
- Send a certified letter to the collection agency, requesting all communication to cease.
- It is important to send a letter as soon as you’re first contacted.
After a debt collector receives your letter, it may not contact you further except to:
- Inform you there will be no further contact.
- Inform you that it or the creditor may take specific action it is legally allowed to take.
- Telling a debt collector to stop contacting you does not necessarily stop the attempt to collect on a debt.
Keep good records:
- Ask the caller for his name, company, address, and phone number.
- Record dates and times of conversations and keep good notes.
- Maintain a file of documents and correspondences between you and any debt collector.
If you believe you are being harassed by a debt collector or if you wish to report suspicious collections activity, please file a report here.