If you’re being harassed by debt collectors, you may feel helpless and overwhelmed. Fortunately, there is a powerful tool that you can use to stop debt collectors in their tracks: the 11-word phrase.

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you have the right to demand that debt collectors stop contacting you. You can exercise this right by simply saying or writing the following 11-word phrase:

“Stop contacting me at work. I refuse to PAY this debt.”

That’s it. It’s that simple. Once you say or write these words, debt collectors are required by law to stop contacting you, except in certain limited circumstances. For example, they can contact you to inform you that they are ceasing collection efforts or that they are taking legal action against you.

It’s important to note that you must use these exact words in order to trigger the protections of the FDCPA. Saying something similar or using different language may not be effective in stopping debt collectors from contacting you.

Once you’ve used the 11-word phrase to stop debt collectors, they are required by law to cease all communication with you, except as permitted by the FDCPA. They cannot contact you at work, call you repeatedly, or use abusive language or threats to try to collect the debt.

If debt collectors continue to contact you after you’ve used the 11-word phrase, they are in violation of the FDCPA and you may have a legal case against them. You should keep records of all communication with debt collectors, including the dates and times of calls, the names of the people who called you, and any abusive or threatening language that they used.

If you’re being harassed by debt collectors, don’t suffer in silence. Use the 11-word phrase to stop them in their tracks and protect your rights under the FDCPA. If debt collectors continue to harass you, contact an attorney who can help you take legal action to stop the harassment and hold debt collectors accountable for their actions.

At Shawn Jaffer & Associates, our experienced attorneys can help you assert your rights under the FDCPA and protect you from abusive debt collection practices. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.