Cease and Desist Letter to a Debt Collector

Debt collectors are subject to federal rules about how and when they may contact you, and a written demand to stop calling is one of the strongest tools a consumer has. Once a collector receives your written request, continued calls become a compliance problem for them, not just an annoyance for you.

This letter demands that all phone and workplace contact stop and that any further communication happen in writing. It does not admit the debt is valid, and it is careful not to; disputing a debt is a separate letter you can also send.

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Sample letter

This is the exact structure your finished letter will follow, with placeholders where your facts go.

[Your Full Name] [Your Street Address] [City, State ZIP] [Date] [Recipient's Full Name] [Recipient's Street Address] [City, State ZIP] RE: Demand to Cease Collection Contact Dear [Recipient's Full Name]: This letter is a formal demand that you immediately cease and desist from the following conduct: repeated collection calls regarding account [account or reference number], including calls to my mobile phone and my workplace at all hours For the record, the conduct includes the following: Between [date] and [date], I received [number] calls, including [number] calls to my workplace after I said such calls were prohibited by my employer. This is not the first time I have raised this. I told your representative by phone on [date] to stop calling my workplace. Despite that, the conduct has continued. Accordingly, I demand that you cease all telephone calls, text messages, and workplace contact directed at me regarding this alleged debt, and communicate with me in writing only, if at all. You must comply within 10 days of receiving this letter. If you do not comply, I am prepared to pursue every remedy available to me, which may include filing a civil action seeking damages and injunctive relief and reporting your conduct to the appropriate authorities. I would prefer to resolve this without involving the courts, and your prompt compliance will make that possible. This letter is not a complete statement of the facts or of my rights, all of which are expressly reserved. Please treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves. Sincerely, [Your Full Name]

What to include

The account or reference number from their letters or calls
A clear demand to stop calls and workplace contact
A demand that further contact be in writing only
A statement that you are not admitting the debt is valid
The date, kept for your records with proof of mailing

Common questions

Will this letter make the debt go away?

No. It stops the contact, not the debt. The collector can still pursue the debt in court. Many people pair this letter with a separate written request that the collector validate the debt.

Can they ignore my letter?

Legitimate collection agencies take written cease-contact demands seriously because ignoring them creates legal exposure. Keep your proof of mailing; continued calls after receipt are worth reporting to consumer protection agencies.

Should I say the debt is not mine?

Only if that is true, and even then briefly. This letter's job is stopping contact. If the debt is not yours or the amount is wrong, send a dispute and validation request as well.

New to this? What a cease and desist letter is, whether it is legally binding, and how to send it properly.