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It can be quite nerve racking when the bill collectors are calling and sending demand notices, however you can handle it. There are ways you can protect

yourself and also ways to properly handle your debt collectors.

There is a bill meant to help individuals deal with aggressive debt collectors. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a guideline that must be followed when a debt collector is attempting to collect payment on a debt. It is prohibited by law for a collector to call your home before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m.. They are prohibited from disturbing you with calls after you have insisted they do so, neither can they threaten to seize your salary. For more information go to => www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.htm#801.

If you have an answering machine, you can screen your phone calls before you answer them. Adding anonymous call blocking to your phone line can also help from receiving the unwanted collection calls. Well, at least from having to talk with the person on the other end. However, if you decide to answer the phone you can request that the collector no longer call you. Once you have stated to them that you don’t want any further phone calls, legally they have to stop the phone calls to you.

Before you take some of the more drastic measures, you should consider making arrangements with the company to pay off the debt. In many cases, the collector is authorized to reduce the amount owed in order to collect the money. Usually, if you make payment arrangements on the debt, the collection calls from that company will stop.

Do try to keep a record of calls that take place between the collectors and yourself. If you agree to any form of payment, it should be recorded on paper and it should bear both your name as well as the other party’s name. Try your best to keep the agreement you have made, if you are unable to keep it notify the company as soon as possible. If you have indicated that the collector cease calling you, you can record any further calls made to you by them. Be sure you alert them to the fact that the calls are being recorded. It is usually helpful in reducing the number of disturbing calls.

In most cases, you will be able to negotiate the amount of money you will be paying off. It is common for the agency to get a small cut of the amount they can successfully retrieve. Thus, for many debt collectors, they are willing to collect smaller amounts to offset their losses. Any amount of money is better than nothing.

If you agree to a smaller payment, be sure to request that there should be no further negative marks placed on your credit report. Also, be instant that they promptly report the payments made as well as adjusting the amount that is owed on your credit report.

When you have made the first payment, an agreement should be reached. The contract should reflect the amount owed as well as the specific terms of agreement. Keep your first payment to a minimum as far as possible. This will insure that they will keep their end of the agreement and hold true to the contract.