Bill Collectors Got You Down?
How to Deal with Debt Collectors When You Can’t Pay All Your Bills
If the phone is ringing off the hook and letters keep showing up in your mailbox, you're likely feeling the pressure of debt collectors closing in—on top of the stress of bills you already can’t afford. It’s a tough spot to be in, but you’re not powerless. You have rights, options, and steps you can take to protect your peace of mind while working toward a better financial future.
Let’s break it down.
1. DON’T IGNORE THEIR CALLS, BUT DON’T PANIC EITHER
It’s tempting to avoid the calls, delete the voicemails, and pretend the problem doesn’t exist. Ignoring debt collectors won’t make them go away and in some cases, it can make things worse…they can garnish your wages. The last thing you need right now is to find out your check had a big chunk taken out of it before you even got it!
So - answer the phone when you can—remain your composure - be polite, calm and confident—and take control of the conversation.
2. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Debt collectors have rules they must follow under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
By law, debt collectors may not:
Harass or threaten you
Call you at unreasonable hours (before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.)
Call you at work if you ask them not to
Talk to anyone else about your debt (unless you have listed someone as your alternate contact)
You have the right to:
Request written verification of the debt
Dispute it if it’s incorrect
Ask them to stop contacting you in writing
Knowing your rights makes it easier to respond from a place of POWER - NOT FEAR.
3. ASK FOR EVERYTHING IN WRITING
Before agreeing to anything over the phone, ask the collector to send you a debt validation letter. This letter should confirm:
Who the original creditor was
The amount owed
That the debt is legally yours
Once you have it in writing, you can review the details and make informed decisions.
4. DON’T MAKE PROMISES YOU CAN’T (OR WON’T) KEEP
Collectors are trained to get you to commit to a payment. But if you agree to pay money you don’t have, you may dig yourself into a deeper hole or miss critical bills like rent or utilities.
It’s okay to say:
“I’m not in a position to make a payment right now, but I’m working on a plan and will be back in touch when I’m ready.”
Stay respectful, but don’t let them pressure you into panic decisions.
5. PRIORITIZE YOUR ESSENTIALS FIRST
When you have more bills than money, not all payments are equal. Keep the lights on, food on the table, and a roof over your head first. Medical needs, transportation, and basic survival expenses must come before credit card or collection payments.
Debt collectors can wait. Your mental health and wellbeing cannot.
6. KEEP A LOG OF ALL CALLS AND DOCUMENTS
Every call should be written down; the day, time and name of person you spoke with, and be sure to ask for a reference number. This information could come in handy if you need to file a complaint or defend yourself in the future. And if you let them know you’re recording the call, it’s ok to do so to keep for your files.
7. NEED HELP?
You don’t have to figure this out alone! We can work together to:
Create a plan to prioritize debts
Negotiate with creditors
Explore settlement or repayment options
Avoid bankruptcy when possible
Final Thought: You’re Not a Bad Person for Being in Debt
Life happens. Illness, job loss, divorce, or just a stretch of tough luck can knock even the most responsible person off track. What matters now is how you respond—and step by step, you can rebuild.
Debt collectors may be loud, but your comeback story will be louder.