Harassing calls from a debt collector? Here is what you need to know

You send the request in writing and certified. Also, ask to speak to the office manager.

no, it is not legal. The fdcpa states that a consumer can be called between the hrs of 8-9 in the consumers time zone. Since the agency is calling you at 6 am they are in violation.
Also, numerous calls to a consumers phone to annoy, harass and intimidate is a violation. Keep a log and save your calls on your cell phone.
Go to Google.com and type in FDCPA and read that.

I would encourage all of you to go to www.debtorboards.com...click on FDCPA (fair debt collection practices act). The website is 100% free and it has aided me in filing suit and collecting $$$. For example, did you know that the collection agency calling you at 6am or refusing to identify who the original owner of a debt is both owe YOU $1000.00 PER VIOLATION? I also got good form letters to send to stop calling me, provide me with proof of the debt, I'm suing you for FDCPA violations, etc. Excellent website and very patient and helpful moderators. Good Luck!!

Yeah, I contacted Sallie Mae, spoke to the representative, she said that I have 4 Stafford Loans and 1 Private loan.  I told her my situation and she said that Sallie Mae will send the Forbearance form and the Deferment form to me, once I have filled out everything on the form, fax them back to them.

You could pay your bills. It really cuts down on the collection calls.

If you feel you are being harassed, take a stand against these people. I was disabled in a farm accident. I had the account insurance, that should have paid off the account, but they would not recognize my disability. I came home one day, to find my wife in tears. A woman from Montgomery Wards, had just called my wife and told her they were going to take our home. Since we would have no home, welfare would take our children. IN WRITING, they said: we would be embarressed in front of our neighbors, when they evicted use and put our things out onto the street. I consulted  a lawyer. He told me I had a perfect case for harassment. So, I sent a copy of the letter and a transcript of the phone call to their legal department and told them if they wrote off the account, I would not suit them. They agreed to do so. However, when I applied for a loan, I found, they had listed a "repossession" on my credit record. The credit agency quickly removed it, after I asked: "What does Montgomery Wards sell, that can be repossessed?" I them got then loan, I was applying for.

Sounds like this is for the USA and not Canada

Oh no, I called the collection agency for a bill that was over 9 yrs old  and made payment arrangements, that I still cannot afford. I am currently living on limited means, plus waiting for child support that never shows so now what should I do? Please help!
New scared mom

Everybody out there hates what I do, although alot of you debtors just try to get out of paying the money you owe.  You take it out on us, all we are doing is our jobs.  For the abusive I've taken on the phone such as having my life threatened with being shot, having my house bombed it's really bad.  If we call you and looking for someone else then just tell us, we may have to ensure we have the righ address, just remeber it's not personal information, it's listed in the phonebook.  As for the amount of times we can call, it is 3 times a week NOT 3 times a day.  I have more than 300 debtors that I have to call, I don't have time to call 3 times a day.  All I'm saying is treat collection agents with the same respect that you want to be treated, you'll find it goes along way.  I reat my debtors with respect and try to help them out of debt, rather than making more.  We have rules and regulations that we have to abide by just like all of you.

collection agent - not so, as far as the recorded dumb messages go!  I come home from work, and there are numerous ones from the same number, but no mention of who they are looking for, or what debt they are trying to collect. We owe NO outstanding or late payments to anyone, yet these annoying calls have just started within the past week, interestingly just about the same time I put our number on the DO NOT CALL registry - again!!
I'm thinking it's just another scam, because they can!

Let the collecor know thaat they are breaking "Third Party Disclosure"  It's not right

Be as rude and ruthless to these debt collectors as you want to be. they are bottom feeding scum! Get yourself a good loud whistle. The first time they call get their name, address and the purpose of their call and then simply hang up. Send them a sease and desist letter by way of certified mail return receipt stating that you want to only be contacted by mail (including your address is optional). If they call again, say to them" You have been told in writing not to contact me by phone. every time you call me, this is what you are going to get". Blow that whistle as hard as you can and then hang up. You are under no obligation of any kind to talk to these scumbags. don't feel any guilt about using that whistle. I don't!
Also, once they have been notified in writing not to call and they do call again, contact the FTC because they can be fined $11,000 per call. We have a right to our privicy and we need to stand up for that right.

Annamama,
 A debt that is 9 years old may no longer valid and may not be collectable. Check your states statutes. here in Maine it is 6 years. Some states are more, some are less. Debt collectors also have only paid 5 to 10 cents on the dollar for these debts. Let's say you had a debt of $1000. Offer them $150 to go away. If they accept, tell them to send you a written contract which includes the words "without recorse". (or you can draft your own aggrement and send it to them). This means that they or anyone else can never come after you again for this debt. Send them a money order only after you accept their contract or they accept yours. NEVER give them axcess to your checking or bank account. On the back of the MO write the words "Endorser cirtifies satisfactory payment in full". Make a copy of everything and keep it in a safe place. Don't trust these snakes as far as you can throw them. They lie! Good luck

What is the collector is asking about a debt that was removed 15 years ago? I went through a divorce and my ex was to pay certain creditors. Now, more than 15 years after they wrote this off according to my credit report, they are harassing me. How is this even legal?

I meant to say what IF the collector is a computer calling my house twice a day with unknown on the number when I have had no business with the company since 1992? I suffered by their bad reporting for 7 years already in the 90's. The collection agency probably bought some really bad info and any of you that work for debt collectors should find employment elsewhere as you are only one step above the beggar on the street.