Cancel & dispute
How do I tell a debt collector to stop contacting me?
Updated · By the SendMyLettersOnline team
Send the debt collector a written request to stop communicating with you. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. 1692c(c)), once the collector receives it, it must stop contacting you about the debt, except to confirm it is ending its efforts or to tell you it may take, or is taking, a specific action such as filing a lawsuit. If you mail the request, it takes effect when the collector receives it, so Certified Mail with a return receipt gives you proof of that date.
A stop-contact letter does not cancel the debt. The collector or creditor can still sue, and the debt can still appear on your credit report.
| Question | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Must the collector stop contacting you? | Yes, after it receives your written notice | 15 U.S.C. 1692c(c) |
| Can it still contact you at all? | Only to say it is stopping, or to notify you of specific remedies it may use or will use | 15 U.S.C. 1692c(c)(1)-(3) |
| When does a mailed notice count? | When the collector receives it | 15 U.S.C. 1692c(c) |
| Does it erase the debt? | No | CFPB |
| Can you still be sued? | Yes | CFPB |
How to write and send it
The CFPB explains your options, including asking a collector to contact you only by certain methods or only through your lawyer, on how do I get a debt collector to stop contacting me.
- Use the collector's mailing address from its most recent letter.
- Include the collector's reference number and your name and address.
- State that you want it to stop communicating with you about the debt. You can also say you dispute the debt; the CFPB's sample letter does both.
- Mail it Certified with return receipt and keep copies of everything.
Stop contact vs. dispute
If you think the debt isn't yours or the amount is wrong, a debt validation letter sent within the validation period makes the collector verify the debt before collecting further. A stop-contact letter only stops communication. Many people send a dispute first, then a stop-contact letter if needed.
State law may add protections
Some states have their own debt collection laws that also cover original creditors or add rules about electronic contact. Your state attorney general's consumer office can tell you what applies. This guide is general information, not legal advice. For a specific dispute, a legal aid office or a licensed attorney in your state can tell you what applies.
Quick answers
Can I send a cease and desist letter to a debt collector online?
You can write it online and we print and mail it for you by Certified Mail. The FDCPA requires the request to be in writing; mailing it certified proves when the collector received it.
Can I email a debt collector to stop contacting me?
Collectors that use email must give you a way to opt out of electronic messages, but the most reliable proof of a full stop-contact request is a mailed letter with a delivery record. Check the CFPB's guidance for your situation.
Will a stop-contact letter make the debt go away?
No. You may still owe it, and the collector or creditor can still take legal action. Don't ignore court papers.
What to do next
Fill in the stop-contact template with the collector's reference number and send it Certified with return receipt so you can prove the date it was received.
Send a stop-contact letterSources
- 15 U.S.C. 1692c: Communication in connection with debt collection (Cornell LII)
- CFPB: How do I get a debt collector to stop calling or contacting me?
- CFPB sample letter: "Stop contacting me"
- 12 CFR part 1006 (Regulation F)
Checked: . General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change: confirm current values at the official links above.