What to Do When Contacted by a Collector

If you owe a debt, you should pay it. Debt collectors have the right to contact you to ask you to pay your just and owing debts. But, this does not mean that you have to take the harassment or abuse from a debt collector who is not obeying the law.

If a debt collector contacts you, you have a right to dispute the debt either verbally or in writing. It is very important for you to send a written dispute within 30 days of your receipt of the first “validation notice” from the debt collector. Failure to do this could hamper your ability to protect your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and Wisconsin Consumer Act (WCA).

If you can not pay your debt, you still have rights that can be protected under the FDCPA and WCA. Many of our clients do owe the debt that is being collected by the debt collector, but because of financial circumstances are unable to pay it.

In order to preserve your rights under the FDCPA and WCA, it is important for you to keep good records of all of the contacts.

Steps You Can Take To Protect Your Rights:

  1. Save copies of all letters and notices from debt collectors or collection agencies
  2. Save all phone messages and voice mails- this is very important!
  3. Keep a diary of your conversations with these bill collectors
  4. Call our law office to set up an appointment right away to help you recover your damages

Use a Simple Collection Communications Log to Keep Track of your Contact with a Debt Collector

We recommend you download and copy the Collections Communications Log and keep it by your telephone. The log will help you keep uniform records of your contacts with debt collectors. Click the link below to get this log.

Adobe PDF© Format Collection Communications Log


If you feel your rights have been violated, contact Maxwell Attorneys LLC at 414-727-0123 to set up a free initial consultation. From our office located in Wauwatosa we serve surrounding Southeast Wisconsin communities including Milwaukee, Waukesha, Pewaukee, Brookfield, Germantown, Racine, Delafield, Menomonee Falls, Grafton, Jackson, Kenosha, and New Berlin.