​​​​Your Rights and Responsibilities

Being contacted by someone who wants to collect a debt can be upsetting. This brochure explains some of your rights and responsibilities under the law and answers some frequently asked questions about debt collection.

What should I do if a collector calls me?

The most important thing to do is to remain calm; arguments do not solve anything. If you get angry you may forget important information. In responding to complaints that bill collectors were abusive, it is often discovered it was the consumer who was abusive.

​If you are contacted

​How do I dispute a debt?

If a collection agency is involved, write them within 30 days of receiving the initial notice and inform them you are disputing the debt. The collection agency must then halt collection activity until a copy of the verification is sent to you. It can then resume collection efforts. If the debt cannot be verified, the collection agency must cease activity on your account. During the time you are disputing the debt, the collector may not disclose any information about the debt without also stating that it is being disputed.​​

​The creditor called yesterday and threatened to sue me if I didn’t pay my debt. Is that legal?

Yes. A creditor can threaten legal action against you. This includes threats to garnish​​ your wages or seize collateral. However, such action can only be threatened if it is taken in the regular course of business or is intended with respect to your debt. Only the creditor has the authority to decide whether legal action should be taken. A collection agency cannot initiate legal action on its own but can recommend legal action to the creditor.

​What is considered harassment?

Harassment is difficult to describe in exact terms, but it usually means that a collector used obscene or threatening language with you. This includes calling you names, demeaning your occupation, or questioning the decisions that le​d to your account being placed with a collection agency. It is also considered harassment to contact you at unusual hours (usually defined as before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.), or to call so often that it becomes harassing. Remember it is not against the law to be rude, and there is a distinction between rudeness and harassment.

​Is a collection agency allowed to contact my employer?

The collector can contact your employer only for the following reasons – to verify employment or the amount of your earnings, or to communicate with an employer who has an established debt counseling service or procedure.

Collectors can also contact an employer after a final court judgment has been made on the debt.

​What do I do if I simply can’t afford to pay off the debt?

Try to propose to pay off the full debt in regular but specific payments. Be prepared to provide evidence concerning your current financial condition. Make sure that the payments are in an amount you can afford. Write both the creditor and collection agency with your proposal. The payments should be in an amount that would pay off the debt in a reasonable amount of time. Offering to pay $5 a month on a $1,000 debt probably would not be accepted by a creditor or collection agency. If the collector approves these new payments, it is extremely important that you do not miss any payments.

​I’ve had problems paying my bills and I’m trying to set up payment plans but the collectors are demanding full payment. Can they do that?

Yes. Once your account goes into default, a creditor or collector can demand any amount they wish, up to full payment of the debt. Although many collectors might accept smaller payments on a regular basis, they are not obligated to accept any offer you make them.​​

​The collector threatened to tell my neighbor about my debt. Can he do that?

No. A collector cannot disclose, or threaten to disclose, information about your personal or credit reputation to anyone without a legitimate business need to know it. Remember, however, that collectors can report accurate information to the credit bureaus and that information could end up on your credit report.

​The collector called my neighbor and asked if I live here. I thought collectors couldn’t call anyone except me.

A collector can contact a third party only to determine if you reside at the location listed on the account. If you’ve moved, they can also ask for the new address, phone number, and where you are employed. Any further discussion between a third party and a collector is prohibited in Wisconsin.

​What should I do if I have questions or concerns about a collection agency’s activities?

Contact Us

​Please keep in mind​​ that we can only act on complaints filed in writing or submitted through our website.