How To Block Creditor Calls
Calls from creditors and debt collectors are frustrating and disruptive. If you are pursuing debt resolution, delaying payment to your creditors will give you the leverage needed to negotiate a Resolution Offer, but it may also lead to an increase in creditor calls.
One way to deal with creditor calls during your program is to ignore or block the calls. When you block a phone number, your phone will decline the call automatically.
How To Block Calls With Your iPhone
To block a recent caller with your iPhone:
- Open your phone app
- Go to recent calls
- Find the unwanted caller
- Click the “i” beside their number
- Select block caller
How To Block Calls With Your Android
To block a recent caller on an Android:
- Open your phone app
- Tap more, then go to your call history
- Select the unwanted caller
- Select block/report spam
- Make sure the block/report spam button is checked
- Click the block button
Blocking one number on your phone may not stop all calls from the creditor. Creditors sometimes use auto-dialers, and you may need to block several numbers.
Why Do Creditor Calls Increase?
If your payment habits change, creditors will contact you to try and get you caught up on your payments. Some creditors and debt collection agencies are more aggressive than others.
Common Reasons for Creditor Calls Increase:
- Late payments
- Debt payment one month or more behind
- Debt has been sent to a collection agency
- Delayed payments when pursuing debt resolution
What If I Answer A Creditor Call by Mistake?
If you answer a call from a creditor, you can let them know that you are pursuing debt resolution. It’s not necessary to go into detail, simply let them know you are working with a debt resolution company and thank them for calling. That alerts the creditor of your intention to resolve your debt. After you answer, you can block the caller to stop further calls.
Know Your Rights
Creditors must abide by Federal Trade Commission rules outlined in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which makes the use of abusive or unfair practices debt collection practices illegal.
For example, debt collectors are not allowed to contact you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., unless you agree to it. They also aren’t permitted to contact you at work if they’re told you’re not allowed to get calls there.