Ever heard an 11-word phrase that will stop debt collectors? If yes, then you aren’t alone. The phrase is used to stop debt collectors when you are dealing with debt. You might have used an 11 word phrase to stop debt collectors when receiving calls from debt collectors. However, what actually is this phrase, and how effective is it? What can you say to annoying debt-collecting calls?
Let’s break down the history of the 11-Word Phrase and how you can really stop those pesky phone calls.
The Origin of the 11-Word Phrase to Stop Debt Collectors
The origins of the 11 word phrase to stop debt collectors came to light back five years in 2017 in an interview between Larry King and credit expert John Ulzheimer on a talk show. Having experience with FICO and Equifax, Ulzheimer had extremities for viewers being contacted by the debt collectors. He disclosed many witty secrets to the audience. One of the secrets revealed was how to deter debt collectors from ever contacting- by saying the 11 word phrase to stop debt collectors.
Ever since debtors sorted the internet to understand the precise word- many people discovered it was nothing but a marketing trick. This phrase was a marketing gimmick to lift the sales of his book! In chapter 8 of Ulzheimer’s book, the phrase was used to get debt collectors to stop calling. According to the book, you can put back unwanted collection calls by saying something like “From now on, I demand that you only contact me in writing and stop calling me” (indicated in Frequently Asked Questions of Chapter 8 of the book).
What Does the law say about debt collector calls?
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is the document that outlines the rights of a creditor. It also specifies creditors of lawful methods and those considered unlawful. You can consider some clauses from this act:
- USC & 807 that addresses all the misleading and false representation
- Section 807(8) of the act typically covers the collection agencies
According to the FDCPA, it is allowed for collectors or creditors to call or mail debtors once a day. But they’re specifically prohibited from doing the following:
- Continuously contacting the debtor several times a day to annoy, threaten, or intimidate them. If a collector does this more than once, it will be considered harassment.
- Using abusive or rude statements to force payments.
- Making calls past regular working hours such as late at night or early mornings
- Harassing the borrower with legal action without due process.
The law counters the long history of abuse by debt collectors. The federal government is also involved in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to safeguard your rights as a consumer. The law states that if you tell debt collectors to stop contacting you, they must abide by the rules.
What are the reasons debt collectors call you?
Your debt collection action will be notified when you don’t pay your bills on time. The main reason debt collectors contact you is because of your past-due debts. Your original creditors can sell your accounts to any debt collection agent that makes their business comply with those debts.
Bill collectors can also call you when they want to find your friend or family member who has past due bills. In this case, you should not provide any sort of information about any friend or family member. And at the end, the debt collection agency may not contact you again.
Debt collectors are allowed to contact you by phone or mail between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. to acquire the exact payment for the debt. Some debtors can send it to a third-party collection organization and can also utilize their internal debt collectors. They can contact you to ask who owes you money, but they can only do this once.
What should you not say to debt collectors?
You should be careful about what you are saying to debt collectors. Following are the things you should never say to a debt collector:
- Family Information
- Email Addresses
- Additional Phone Numbers
- Employer or Past Employers
- Mailing Address (unless you want to sign a payment agreement)
- Credit Card Number
- Bank Account Information
- Social Security Number
Can you ignore debt collectors?
Ignoring debt collectors who try to approach you regarding a bill won’t make it disappear for you. It also won’t forbid debt collectors from contacting you. You can avoid debt collectors at your peril. Although it is not a good option to avoid them, they can be ignored.
Ignoring a debt collector is doubtful to make the debt collector stop calling you. The Debt Collection Rule of CFPB clarifying specific supply of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) became productive on November 30, 2021.
How can you challenge a debt collector?
Make your dispute in the format of writing to make sure that the debt collector can send you verification of the debt. In case you’re having difficulty with your debt collection, try submitting a complaint by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372) or with the CFPB online.
What can you say to stop creditors from calling you?
The first step to stop communication with the debt collectors from calling you is using the 11-word phrase. To make it more formal, send a demand letter to the debt collection agency discussing that they should not come in touch with you right at that moment. Tell them you don’t wish the agency to call you ever again, whatever the reason or invoices.
Still, fighting with the creditor calls? You can use these short phrases:
“Please not call me on the phone. Come in touch with me in writing only.”
The FTC suggests sending this phrase in writing to your creditors. If you still receive emails, you can make a formal request to decrease the number of times your phone rings.
“I’m working this through a debt resolution company. Please contact them instead of me.”
If a debt resolution company is representing you regarding your debt, collectors must talk to them directly instead of you.
“I don’t recognize this debt. Please mail me more information in writing so I can verify.”
Collectors may intimidate you about something you don’t believe you owe. Send them validation information including the amount of debt owed and the name of the creditor. If the verification still isn’t adding up, you should dispute the case. Want to test whether the situation is a scam or not? Try asking this question. If a collector harasses you, hang up and report immediately to the FTC.
“I’m not the person you’re searching — until you prove in writing that the debt is mine, you should stop calling me.”
Use this phrase when a debt collector tries to contact you to get someone else’s contact information. You have no authority to share such information with a debt creditor.
Best ways to deal with debt collectors
Frustrated by these debt collectors? Use the following ways to deal with them.
- Use the phone without disclosing personal information not only of yours but of your family and friends as well.
- Ask questions about debt. Find out why they are calling you and how much amount you’ve owed.
- Debt collectors may contact you to receive payment. Ignore them as much as you can.
- Try to get it in writing.
- Settle and negotiate.
Conclusion
It’s a paradox that telling the 11-word phrase will stop debt collectors (unfortunately). It came to light from a promotional interview as a marketing gimmick for a book about credit. Follow the ways to stop debt collection calls, either pay off your debts or double-check the statute of limitations on your debt.
Creditors use their right to collect what they offered you as a loan. If they do so within the borders of the law, you have to pay it. However, if they continuously call you and infringe on your right, this article has described what to do to stop them from calling you.\
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