 TITLE: How to Pay Off Debt Collections CONTENT: How to Deal With Debt Collectors\n--------------------------------\nIt can be annoying and scary to be pestered by debt collectors, but there are steps you can take to gain some control over the process. A federal law known as the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act governs how debt collectors interact with you.\nAside from your ability to request that a debt collector stop calling or emailing you, here are some of your other rights:\n*   Under the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, a debt collector can't be abusive, deceptive or unfair when it's trying to collect money from you. For example, a representative of a debt collection agency isn't allowed to hurl four-letter words at you over the phone or to threaten jail time if you fail to pay up.\n*   The law prohibits a debt collector from calling you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. You can give your permission for a debt collector to contact you outside those hours, though.\n*   Debt collectors are disallowed from reaching out to you at your workplace if your employer doesn't permit you to take phone calls.\n*   If you believe a debt collector is breaking the law, file a complaint with the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or contact your state's consumer protection office. END