The Daily Insight

Bringing clear, reliable news and in-depth information to keep you informed with context and clarity.

public affairs

How do I file a complaint against a collection agency?

Writer Elijah King

If you believe a debt collector is harassing you, you can submit a complaint with the CFPB online or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372). You can also contact your state’s attorney general .

Can you dispute collections over the phone?

You can dispute the debt over the phone when the collector calls you. The collector, at this time, does not have to validate the debt or provide you any documents, but at least they are on notice of the dispute, and must notify any credit reporting agency they communicate to that the debt is disputed.

How do I dispute a debt sold to a collection agency?

Your dispute should be made in writing to ensure that the debt collector has to send you verification of the debt. If you’re having trouble with debt collection, you can submit a complaint with the CFPB online or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372).

How do you deal with collection agencies?

If you’re dealing with a third-party debt collector, there are five things you can do to handle the situation.

  1. Don’t ignore them. Debt collectors will continue to contact you until a debt is paid.
  2. Get information on the debt.
  3. Get it in writing.
  4. Don’t give personal details over the phone.
  5. Try settling or negotiating.

How can I find out which collection agency I owe money to?

A second way to find out which collection agency you owe is to check your credit reports. Most collection agencies report debts to the credit bureaus, so you may find the name and phone number of the collection agency on a recent copy of credit report.

Can you return a call from a debt collector?

You could return the collection agency’s phone call, but be careful about calling debt collectors without first preparing. Expect the debt collector attempt to collect payment from you once they get you on the phone.

Where to report unwanted calls to the government?

The FTC is the primary government agency that collects scam complaints. Report all robocalls and unwanted telemarketing calls to the Do Not Call Registry . Report caller ID spoofing to the Federal Communications Commission.

Where can I file a complaint about a recorded phone call?

File a complaint online or at 1-888-382-1222. Include the date of the illegal call, phone number, and the company’s name in your complaint. You can also file a complaint about recorded messages or robocalls. Visit the telemarketer website if you want to subscribe to the Do Not Call Registry.