Can you prevent a debt collector from contacting you?

The correct answer is based on the provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which allows consumers certain rights regarding communication from debt collectors. Specifically, a consumer can prevent a debt collector from contacting them further by notifying the collector in writing within 30 days of receiving the initial notice of the debt.

When a debt collector receives a written request to cease communication, they are legally obligated to stop contacting the consumer, except for specific circumstances, such as informing the consumer of a specific action they intend to take regarding the debt. This law aims to protect consumers from harassment and unwarranted communication regarding debts.

This option accurately reflects the legal provisions put in place to empower consumers in managing their relationships with debt collectors. The other choices do not align with these established rights; for instance, calling them may not suffice or provide the legal protection desired, and ignoring them does not create a legal basis for preventing contact.