Is it legal for a company to sell a debt to a collections agency after you have told them to stop calling?

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It is your right to send a letter telling a collection agency to stop phone calls. They can continue to email and send mail through the post. If the debt is sold, you must make the "stop calling" request again.

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Answer by amaria (34)

It is legal for a company to sell a debt to a collections agency after you have told them to stop calling as you are still responsible for that debt.

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Answer by John (9008)

In some states, you can have a collection agency stop calling you by telling them that you will not pay. This has no effect on their right to sell the debt, however. Such sales are actually very common.

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Reply by malone (4817):
Federal law (FDCPA) dictates debt collection practices. States can create additional laws. Michigan/Ohio/Oregon laws state that a debtor can request over the phone "stop calling me." All other states require WRITTEN notification to the collector. NO collection company stops because the debtor says "I'm not paying." add a comment

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Answer by tamarawilhite (17883)

It is only illegal for them to keep calling after you have said to stop calling. It is legal for the company to sell the debt. If they sell the debt and you said not to call, then they must inform you of the sale of the debt, usually in writing.

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Reply by malone (4817):
Only resident of Ohio/Oregon/Michigan can state "stop calling" over the phone. All others must submit the request in writing. Collection efforts continue on all other fronts. A creditor can dispose of the debt by selling it at any time. See the FDCPA for details. add a comment

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Answer by hazel (7)

Yes; however, it's illegal for a company to send a debt to collections after you've told them not to send it and that you's working on coming up with payment.

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Reply by malone (4817):
A creditor can send a debt to collections when it is in arrears as defined by the credit agreement. "Working on a payment plan" does nothing to stall collection efforts. add a comment

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Answer by amberjusm (306)

It is legal, especially if you owe the debt. For example, if you owe money to a doctor and his office can't collect on it and you ask them to stop calling you, it is legal for them to sell your debt to a collection agency to collect on.

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