A cease and desist letter to a collection agency can help give people struggling with debt a little breathing room. This letter doesn’t mean that the company forgives the debt or even stops pursuing collections. It does mean that the creditor cannot contact the debtor for any reason other than to provide a specific remedy to the debt. This can be done via phone or collection letter. However, the letter must contain specific wording so that the creditor knows that you are aware of the law. Note that these letters apply only to third-party collections agencies or collections attorneys—not with the original creditors to whom the debt was originally owed.

Example 1

{name and address of collections agency}

Dear {name of collection agency},

This letter is to formally request that you stop contacting me regarding my debt associated with {account number}. According to the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, I am guaranteed a legal right to privacy, and you must stop calling me or sending me a debt collection letter about this account if I request. If this request is ignored, I will proceed with legal action according to the law. Thank you in advance for your attention to this.

{Signature}

Example 2

{name and address of collections agency}

Dear {name of collections agency}:

Please consider this letter your legal notice to cease and desist all communication with me about {details of the debt} according to the federal provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Failure to comply with this formal notice will result in a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. The reason for this request is that I will be in contact the original creditor to resolve this matter directly. We will not deal with a collections agency in any way. Action will also be taken if there is any negative report to my credit.

Please do not neglect this important request.

{Signature}