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“A debt collector keeps calling after I told them to stop!” Maybe you said it on the phone. Maybe you sent a text or wrote it in an email. Either way, the message was clear: stop contacting me. And they kept calling anyway.
That’s not just frustrating. It may be illegal.
Both federal and Florida consumer protection laws exist to protect you from debt collectors who keep calling after you told them to stop. Learning about these protections can help you take back some peace of mind and figure out whether you may have a legal claim.
The Short Answer
Florida and federal laws work hand in hand to protect you from unfair debt collector practices.
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act(FDCPA) (15 U.S.C. § 1692c(c)), you have the right to tell a debt collector to stop contacting you. And once you do, they are generally required to comply. If they keep calling after that, they could be violating the law. Florida’s Consumer Collection Practices Act(FCCPA) (Fla. Stat. § 559.72) targets the same tactics as the FDCPA and adds another layer of protection by covering some creditors and collection activity that the federal law misses.
Violations of these laws can result in actual damages, up to $1,000 in statutory damages per lawsuit, and attorney’s fees that the collector (not you) pays.
Can a Debt Collector in Florida Keep Calling After You Tell Them To Stop?
- You can tell a debt collector to stop contacting you
- Written requests are easier to prove
- Continued calls may violate federal & Florida law
- Florida law covers original creditors, too
- Deadlines can be as short as 1 year
Your Right to Make the Calls Stop
Section 1692c(c) of the FDCPA gives consumers a specific tool called a cease communication request. Really, it just means telling a debt collector, “Stop contacting me.”
When you notify a debt collector that you want all communication to stop, they must comply. There are two narrow exceptions: (1) they may send one final letter confirming they are ceasing contact, or (2) they can notify you of a specific action they intend to take, such as filing a lawsuit.
That’s it. After that, calls, texts, and letters are supposed to stop.
This right applies regardless of whether you owe the debt. Whether the underlying debt is real, disputed, or belongs to someone else entirely, you still have the right to demand that a collector leave you alone.
Written vs. Verbal: Does It Matter?
A verbal request over the phone is valid. If you tell a debt collector to stop contacting you, they’re supposed to honor that. But a written request, by text, email, or certified mail, is easier to prove if this becomes a case.
If you made a verbal request and the debt collector won’t stop calling, your call logs, voicemails, and the pattern of continued contact can still help establish what happened.
If you haven’t already put it in writing, do so now. Keep a copy and note the date.
What To Say When You Want the Calls To Stop
Telling them over the phone is okay, but a letter is better because it gives you proof.
On the call, keep it short:
- “Stop calling me.”
- “Do not contact me again about this debt.”
While you’re on the phone, get the debt collector’s name, mailing address, email, and your account or reference number.
Then, send a short letter with your name, the account/reference number, and a clear demand:
- “Please stop contacting me about this alleged debt.”
Keep a copy, and send it to the mailing or email address they gave you.
What Counts as a Violation
If a debt collector keeps contacting you after you made it clear you wanted no further contact (especially after you put it in writing), they may be violating the law. Multiple calls, voicemails, texts, or letters can help show a pattern of unlawful conduct. In other words, if they call on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday after you tell them to stop, document it.
If the collector used robocalls, prerecorded messages, or robotexts, there may also be a separate issue under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, or TCPA.
How Florida Law Gives You More Protection
The Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act (FCCPA) runs alongside the federal FDCPA and applies to a broader set of collectors, including original creditors, not just third-party debt collectors. For example, if an original creditor (e.g., bank or medical provider) kept calling despite your request for them to stop, you may have an FCCPA claim even if the FDCPA doesn’t technically reach them.
The FCCPA also allows 2 years to bring a claim, compared to 1 year under the FDCPA.
What To Do After You Tell Them to Stop: Step by Step
- Send your request in writing. A text or email works. Certified mail is better. Keep a copy.
- Screenshot your call log immediately: dates, times, and numbers for every contact before and after your request.
- Save all voicemails, including ones with no message. A missed call attempt still counts toward the record.
- Keep any letters or documents they send after your request, including the envelopes (postmarks are important).
- Write down what was said in any verbal conversations: date, time, what was threatened or promised.
- Do NOT block the number yet. Save the evidence first, then block.
- Call a Florida FDCPA lawyer for a free consultation. An attorney can evaluate your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can tell a debt collector to stop contacting you, and a written request gives you the clearest proof if the calls continue.
Writing is the safest move because it creates a clear record. If you already told them verbally, save your call logs, voicemails, and any follow-up contact.
Continued calls, texts, voicemails, or letters after your request may support a legal claim. The key is to document every contact and have a lawyer review whether the pattern violates federal or Florida law. Under the FDCPA and FCCPA, you may be able to recover actual damages, up to $1,000 in additional statutory damages per lawsuit, plus court costs and attorney’s fees.
No! Your right to tell a collector to stop contacting you exists regardless of whether the underlying debt is real, disputed, or has already been paid. The FDCPA governs how debt is collected, not whether it exists.
Under the FDCPA, the statute of limitations is 1 year from the date of the violation. Under Florida’s FCCPA, it is 2 years. If the calls were made recently, contact a Florida FDCPA attorney as soon as possible. The sooner a case is reviewed, the more options you’ll have.
No. Bernheim Kelley offers free case reviews with no obligation. You pay zero fees at any point. And if we win, the collector is responsible for attorney’s fees and costs.
Yes. If you tell a debt collector to stop contacting you, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) says they must stop, no matter the communication channel. Save screenshots and write down the date they were sent in case you need to bring a claim later.
Maybe not. Florida law (FCCPA) can apply to original creditors, too, not just third-party debt collectors. So if your bank, lender, or medical provider keeps contacting you after you’ve told them to stop, you could have a claim under the FCCPA even if the FDCPA does not apply.
– you are in good hands!
You Told Them to Stop Calling. Now It’s Time for Real Action.
You did what you were supposed to do. You told them to stop contacting you. If they didn’t listen, you don’t have to just deal with it. Federal and Florida law give you a path forward, and it doesn’t cost you anything to find out if you have a claim.
Bernheim Kelley helps Florida consumers hold debt collectors accountable when they violate your rights. Get Real Answers and Real Support with zero fees and zero risk. Call 954-329-0440 or reach out to us online for a FREE case review.