Don’t provide personal or sensitive financial information
Never give out or confirm personal or sensitive financial information – such as your bank account, credit card, or full Social Security number – unless you know the company or person you are talking with is a real debt collector.
If the debt collector is a scam, they could use this information to:
- Charge your existing credit cards
- Open new credit card or checking accounts
- Write fraudulent checks
- Take out loans in your name
Contact your creditor
If the debt is legitimate – but you think the collector may not be – contact your creditor about the calls. Share the information you have about the suspicious calls and find out who, if anyone, the creditor has authorized to collect the debt.
- Report the call. Submit a complaint with the CFPB or get in touch with your state Attorney General's office with information about suspicious callers.
- Stop speaking with the caller. If nothing else works and you believe the calls are fraudulent, send a letter demanding that the caller stop contacting you, and keep a copy for your files.
Learn the warning signs of a debt collection scam
If you're having trouble with a debt collector, you can submit a complaint with the CFPB.
