Rule one: say less than you think you should
The first call from a collector is an information-gathering exercise — theirs, not yours. Anything you say about your job, your bank, your assets, or your willingness to pay becomes negotiation ammunition against you. Worse, in many states an acknowledgment of the debt or a small 'good faith' payment can restart the statute of limitations.
So your script is short: 'I don't discuss financial matters by phone. Send me written notice of this debt at my mailing address.' Get the company's name, the caller's name, and a callback number. That's it. Do not confirm the debt is yours. Do not promise to pay anything. Do not give your employer, bank, or Social Security number.
Write everything down, immediately
Date, time, the caller's name, company, phone number, the amount they claimed, and everything that was said. Collectors who call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., call repeatedly, threaten you, or lie about the debt are violating federal law — and each documented violation is worth up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus attorney fees. Your call log is both a shield and a bargaining chip.
Then move the fight to paper
Within 30 days of their first contact, send a debt validation letter by certified mail. This forces the collector to stop all collection until they mail you proof — and a surprising share of debt buyers can't produce it. From that point on, insist on written communication only. Paper creates a record; phone calls create pressure. Choose paper.
Ready to act on this?