Debt Collector Cease and Desist Letter
Tell a debt collector to stop contacting you about a debt.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Section 805(c)
When to use it
Use when you want collection calls and letters to stop. This does not erase the debt and does not stop legal action. For what collectors can and cannot do after they receive the letter, see FDCPA cease and desist: what debt collectors can and cannot do.
How to use it
- Use carefully; a validation letter may be better if you need proof first.
- Keep your wording clear and direct.
- Mail certified and keep proof.
- Watch for any final notice about legal remedies.
Template
[Your Full Name]
[Your Mailing Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Date]
[Collection Agency Name]
[Collection Agency Address]
Re: Account / Reference Number [XXXX]
To Whom It May Concern:
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I request that you cease communication with me regarding the account referenced above except as permitted by law.
Do not contact me by telephone, mail, email, at work, or through third parties except to confirm that collection efforts are being terminated or to notify me of a specific legal remedy you intend to pursue.
This letter is not an admission that the debt is valid or owed.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Where to mail it
There's no single fixed address for this one — collectors and creditors don't share a universal mailing address the way the three bureaus do. Find the correct address on the account's most recent statement or collection notice, or on your credit report listing for that account. Sending it certified mail with return receipt still applies.
iRunCredit provides free educational information and document templates. We are not a law firm, credit repair organization, lender, credit bureau, or financial advisor, and nothing here is legal, financial, or credit repair advice. You can dispute credit-report errors and contact creditors yourself for free under federal law. Always verify facts, keep copies, and consider a qualified professional for your specific situation.