Stop Contacting Me Letter (Cease and Desist to a Debt Collector)

Fill it in, print it, mail it. Nothing you type is saved or sent.

Updated October 2026 Fact CheckedAdvertiser Disclosure

By ReliefGuardian Editorial TeamEdited by

Shannon James Russell— Senior Debt Relief Specialist · CFEI®

Federal law lets you tell a debt collector, in writing, to stop contacting you. Fill in the collector and account, and we'll write the letter. Nothing you type is saved or sent.

Tell a debt collector to stop contacting you about a debt.

Collector's name

Collector's address

Account or reference number (the last 4 digits are enough)

Also say that I dispute this debt

Your full name

Your mailing address

January 1, 2026

[Recipient name]
[Recipient address]

RE: Account / Reference Number: [number from the collector's letter]

To Whom It May Concern:

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. § 1692c(c)), I am asking you to stop communicating with me about this account.

After you receive this letter, you may contact me only to tell me that you are ending collection efforts, or to notify me of a specific action you or the creditor may take or intend to take.

This letter is not an acknowledgment that I owe this debt, and it is not a promise to pay.

Sincerely,


_____________________________
[Your full name]
[Your mailing address]

This doesn't erase the debt. The collector or creditor can still sue, and you won't hear from them about settlement offers either.

Just got a validation notice? Send a debt validation letter first. It makes the collector prove the debt.

This federal rule covers third-party debt collectors. It doesn't require the original creditor to stop.

Only want fewer calls? Use the communication preference letter instead.

General information, not legal advice. ReliefGuardian isn't a law firm.

What it does, and doesn't do

Once the collector gets your letter, it generally has to stop contacting you about the debt. It can still write to say it's ending collection, or to tell you about a specific action, like a lawsuit.

It doesn't erase the debt. The creditor or collector can still sue. You also won't hear about settlement offers. And the rule covers third-party debt collectors, not the original creditor.

Before you send it

Just got a validation notice? Send a debt validation letter first. It makes the collector prove the debt.
Only want fewer calls? The communication preference letter limits how and when they contact you, without cutting off contact.

Questions people ask

Can a collector still sue after this letter?

Yes. The letter stops contact, not legal action. If you're sued, answer by the court's deadline.

Does it have to be on paper?

It has to be in writing. Mail with a return receipt is the easiest to prove. Some collectors accept email. Check their notice.

What to do next

Is the debt old? Check it with the statute of limitations checker.

Other letters: Debt validation letter · Credit dispute letter · Creditor dispute letter · Communication preference letter · Hardship letter · Debt settlement letter · Identity theft dispute letter · Goodwill letter

Tools: Statute of limitations checker · ReliefGuardian Debt Plan · Free checklists and worksheets

Sources

Federal rules are cited directly. State law varies, so state-specific timelines and exemptions should be confirmed with your state's statutes or a local attorney.