can you stop the CC phone calls?

[CurtInKS]

We have started getting calls at work. I told them they cannot call my office, but they haven't stopped. Is there anything I can do, so they won't call my wife and I at work?

[Minnymouth]

The only thing you can do is get a supervisor or payroll personnel to send a notarized letter (on letterhead) that they are too cease in the calls from their office to yours. Many companies to not allow personal calls, nor collection calls.

Many collectors would not want to be reported by other companies to the BBB for harrassment at work.

This should stop it until you file. After you file THEY HAVE TO CEASE, ordered by the Court.

As far as phone calls at home - get an answering machine to you can screen you calls. Only answer the ones you want too....

[CurtInKS]

Thanks, Minny. Home isn't an issue. We have no landline. We can screen our cell. I will contact our HR department today. Hate to tell them why I need this, but if it stops the calls, it's worth it.

[Minnymouth]

Nothing to be ashamed up - it happens to the best, believe me!! Explain to personnel that you wouldn't want it spread all over the company though...... its really confidental information.

Most companies will work with you during this time, if you will let them.....

After you have filed you will be AMAZED at how many people other than you (that you know) have filed and not said anything.....

You'll even see them at the 341 meeting with the Trustee - lol.......

Minny

[CindyLou]

When they call ask them for their fax # and correspondance address. Immeidately fax them a not telling them you will get fired if you recieve any further calls are work. Then mail them the letter you faxed. I had a form letter written up and I would just fill in the acct # and company. Stopped the calls. In the letter give them a mailing address where they can send all written correspondance. Tell them you are requesting ONLY written correspondence.

[twuoo]

Does it make any sense to contact the cc companies to stop calling even though I don't plan on filing until Sept/Oct? I am worried because this will obviously tip them off. And I want to have as much time between May, which is when I stopped using the cc, and the time I file.

I've stopped paying the mins since June.

I get about 8 or more calls a day between 2 different cc companies. I'll be overdue on all my cards after this month, so I predict the calls will probably go to 20 or more over 6 cards.

It's no sweat off the cc companies as the calls are all automated. They start calling around 830am and usually call until around 9pm.

I don't answer the calls because I can tell when they come through on the cell. But it is annoying to have my phone ringing all hours of the day.

I've turned the ringer off, but then I don't know if I get an important call as the cell is my ONLY phone number.

So anyway, should I just return the calls and tell them to stop calling? I haven't retained an attorney fully yet.

Thanks!

[danaf]

This is a helpful thread. I was wondering how to handle getting calls at work especially since I sit near the most nosy & big-mouthed woman in the company. I would never enlist the help of my HR but I could fax and mail a letter. That is, if I were to ever receive calls at work.

[emoney]

The Federal Debt Collection Act allows you to put them on notice in writing not to contact you. Your letter should be sent done via certifed mail.
If they contact you after reciept of your letter you have a claim against them in federal court.
I hope this helps.
regards,
emoney

[Nowwhatohio]

I know this probably won't help the OP - but I plan on filing soon and have not been late on anything yet (but I plan on defaulting starting next week). I went through all the websites for my CC's and changed my phone number to 123-4567 and removed all online payment accounts so they wouldn't send through unauthorized payments to themselves. Not sure if this is a good strategy.

[millerc507]

Nowwhatohio-Be prepared for the collectors to pull out all the stops. They will contact any references you listed when you initially applied as well as as employers you listed. This is the nightmare my husband and I are going through. They have contacted his father and brother several times to get our number and address--even though they have it. When we moved we did not forward our mail and we only have our cell phones. In addition, somehow they have even sent letters to my father-in-laws step-children and their families. How they tracked them down regarding us blows our mind. We will be filing in a week or two

[Minnymouth]

Along with filing bankruptcy comes the problem of the phone calls...... goes with the territory!!!

Just smile, don't answer the phone and go about your business..... it will soon stop ringing.

Use an answering machine and screen you calls.

Send out a letter stating they are not to contact you at work, only by mail and send it certified.

Its annoying I know, but just be patient........it will go away soon.

[leftyf]

Nowwhatohio...I took the opposite approach. Right before I stopped paying I made sure all of my cc companies had current address and phone number information...trying to make it look like I had nothing to hide. So far, after 2 months or so, I have been getting a ton of phone calls, but they haven't resorted to dirty tricks yet...will the major cc companies ever resort to dirty tricks? They are all big names and so far my accounts haven't been sent to the scumbag collectors...we'll see. Not sure which approach is better, mine or yours, but we certainly went in different directions...I'm going for the upstanding guy act who, perhaps, has forgotten to pay his bill due to a recent relocation...who knows?

[shirsc2]

Debt collectors do have to follow rules of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Many debtors do not know these rules so debt collectors sometimes get away with doing these.

Generally, your rights are being violated when a debt collector contacts you at work if they know your employee disapproves or if you requested they not contact you at work.

If they keep doing contacting you at work, your rights are being violated and there are some things you can do.

These two articles may be of good use to you.

How Do I know if my rights are being violated?

How to survive the debt collection call