If so, you’re not alone. For many, calls and messages from debtors aren’t just a nuisance — they can feel like nonstop pressure, anxiety, and even harassment. When bills pile up and accounts fall behind, collection agencies often act aggressively. Repeated phone calls, threatening letters, and misleading tactics can leave anyone feeling cornered.

But here’s what many don’t realize: there are legal ways to stop this kind of harassment.

For those tired of the constant stress brought on by collectors, legal solutions are available. One of the most powerful protections available to individuals is the automatic stay that goes into effect when filing for bankruptcy. This single provision has the legal weight to stop most collection efforts immediately.

In Corpus Christi and surrounding parts of Texas, individuals facing debt collection can turn to the Law Office of Joel Gonzalez, a law firm focused on helping people find real, lasting relief from collection harassment. Joel Gonzalez handles consumer bankruptcy cases and helps Texans put a stop to aggressive debt collectors through legal means.

This article explains how people can legally stop debt collectors, what protections the law offers, how bankruptcy can help, and when it’s time to consult a professional.

Understanding Debt Collection Harassment

Before learning how to stop collectors, it’s important to understand what qualifies as harassment. Debt collection agencies — including those handling credit cards, loans, and even unpaid hospital bills — are required to follow strict federal and state laws. But that doesn’t stop many from pushing the boundaries.

What Collection Harassment Looks Like

Here are common tactics used by collection agencies that may be considered harassment or misconduct:

• Repeated phone calls throughout the day
• Calling at odd hours, such as before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
• Contacting family, neighbors, or workplaces
• Using threatening or abusive language
• Failing to verify debts when requested
• Making false claims (e.g., claiming a person will be arrested)
• Continuing to contact someone after a written request to stop

These actions violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which exists to protect consumers. Yet violations are frequent, especially when medical debt collection agencies are involved.

Legal Protections That Stop Harassment

The FDCPA provides several protections that can be used to push back against collectors. When these legal rights are exercised properly, individuals can stop collection agencies from continuing their pressure tactics.

How the FDCPA Works in Your Favor

Under the FDCPA, consumers have the right to:

• Request validation of the debt– Within 30 days of being contacted, a person can demand written proof of the debt.
• Send a cease-and-desist letter– Once a written request to stop contact is sent, collectors are legally barred from calling again (with limited exceptions).
• Sue for violations– If a collector violates the law, the person being contacted may sue and recover damages.

However, even with these protections, some collectors persist. That’s where legal action becomes even more powerful — particularly through bankruptcy.

The Power of Bankruptcy’s Automatic Stay

For those looking to stop debt collectors completely, bankruptcy is one of the most direct legal tools available. It doesn’t just give relief from debts; it puts an immediate stop to collection efforts.

What Is the Automatic Stay?

When a person files for bankruptcy, an automatic stay takes effect instantly. This stay is a court order that tells all creditors and collection agencies to stop any and all collection efforts. This includes:

• Phone calls
• Lawsuits
• Letters
• Collection agency contact
• Utility disconnections
• Foreclosure proceedings (in many cases)

Violating the stay is a serious matter — collectors who continue to contact someone after the stay is in place can face fines and court sanctions.

How Long Does the Stay Last?

The automatic stay remains in place throughout the bankruptcy process, which usually lasts several months. In most cases, once the bankruptcy is complete, the debts are discharged, and the collectors have no further legal grounds to contact the individual again.

What Bankruptcy Can and Can’t Stop

While the automatic stay is powerful, it’s important to understand its scope. Not every type of debt or legal action is covered.

Debts Usually Covered by the Automatic Stay:

• Credit card balances
• Personal loans
• Medical bills
• Past utility bills
• Collection accounts
• Old rent balances

Debts Not Covered or Only Partially Affected:

• Certain taxes
• Court-ordered child or spousal support
• Criminal restitution

Collectors pursuing debts covered by bankruptcy must stop once the stay is active — including any medical debt collection agency that’s been calling relentlessly.

Suing Collectors for Violating the Law

Some collection agencies ignore cease-and-desist letters or even the automatic stay. When that happens, legal action may be the next step.

Grounds for a Lawsuit Against a Collector

A collector may be sued for:

• Harassing communication
• Continuing contact after a written request to stop
• Misrepresenting the amount owed
• Threatening illegal actions
• Contacting a person after the automatic stay is in place

In these cases, victims can sue for actual damages, statutory damages (up to $1,000), and legal fees.

What to Do If Sued by a Debt Collector

Being served papers for a debt collection lawsuit is alarming — but it’s not the end of the road. Many lawsuits are filed by third-party collectors who may not have proper documentation. Here’s what someone should do when facing a lawsuit:

• Do not ignore the summons– Failing to respond can result in a default judgment.
• Request proof of the debt– The collector must prove the debt is valid and that they have the legal right to collect it.
• Review the statute of limitations– Many debts are time-barred after a certain period.
• Consult a debt collection relief attorney– Especially in Texas, where collection laws can vary, speaking with an attorney familiar with the rules can be a smart move.

If the debt is overwhelming or the lawsuit involves multiple accounts, bankruptcy may still be the most effective way to stop the debt collection lawsuit and erase the debt legally.

Medical Debt and Collection Agencies

Medical debt is one of the most common types of debt sent to collections. Even people with insurance often find themselves owing thousands due to out-of-pocket costs, deductibles, or billing errors.

Why Medical Debt Is Especially Difficult

• Hospitals frequently sell unpaid accounts to a medical debt collection agency.
• These agencies are known for aggressive collection methods.
• Patients may not even realize they owe money until a collector calls.

Once medical debt goes into collections, it affects credit and causes a stream of calls and letters. Filing for bankruptcy can eliminate qualifying medical debt and force these agencies to stop their harassment immediately.

Steps to Stop Debt Collection Harassment

For those dealing with relentless calls and letters, taking the right steps can make a big difference. Here’s a checklist to regain control:

1. Document Everything

This is the foundation of any legal protection strategy. Thorough documentation turns a vague complaint into concrete evidence — and that matters when it’s time to assert your rights.

What to track:

• Names of debt collectors: Always ask for the full name of the person calling, the name of the company they represent, and their contact information.
• Time and date of communication: Log each phone call, message, or mailed notice.
• Content of the interaction: Write down exactly what was said — especially if there were threats, aggressive language, or misrepresentations.
• Method of communication: Note if the contact was made via phone, letter, text, or email.
• Caller ID screenshots or recordings(if legal in your state): These can support your written notes and strengthen your case.
• Why this matters: Consistent logging creates a detailed timeline of harassment, which may be essential if filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), initiating a legal claim, or defending against a debt collection lawsuit. It can also help identify repeat violations — which might entitle someone to statutory damages.

2. Send a Cease-and-Desist Letter

When the calls feel endless, a cease-and-desist letter can act as a powerful shield. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), once a debt collector receives this written request, they must stop contacting the individual — with very limited exceptions.

Key steps when sending a cease-and-desist:

• Put it in writing: Verbal requests carry little legal weight. Always draft a formal letter.
• Be specific: Clearly state that you do not want to be contacted about the debt.
• Request written verification: If the collector hasn’t provided proof of the debt, ask for it in the letter.
• Send via certified mail: Request a return receipt. This provides proof that the letter was received.
• Keep a copy: Store both the letter and the mailing receipt in a safe place.
• What to expect next: Once a collector gets the letter, they can only contact you to confirm they will stop contact or to inform you of legal action. If they continue to call or harass, that is a violation of federal law — and it opens the door to legal remedies.

3. Check for Violations of Collection Laws

Collectors must follow the rules — but many don’t. Knowing what qualifies as unlawful debt collection is critical when trying to stop abusive tactics.

Common forms of harassment or misconduct include:

• Calling at odd hours: Before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
• Threatening arrest or legal action they don’t intend to take
• Using profane, abusive, or threatening language
• Calling your workplace after being told not to
• Talking to third parties about your debt (other than your spouse or attorney)
• Falsely claiming to be a government agent or lawyer
• Repetitive or excessive calls aimed at intimidation

How to spot it:

• Review each interaction against FDCPA guidelines.
• Look for patterns — excessive contact, false claims, or intimidation tactics.
• Save voicemails, screenshots, and letters that show unprofessional behavior.
• Why it’s important: Proving a collector broke the law strengthens your ability to stop the harassment and may entitle you to compensation. Violators can be sued, and courts may award statutory damages — often up to $1,000 per violation — plus actual damages and attorney fees.

4. Consider Filing for Bankruptcy

When debts have spiraled beyond control and collection harassment feels endless, bankruptcy offers a powerful legal shield — particularly through the automatic stay provision.

What is an automatic stay?

It is a legal order that takes effect immediately upon filing for bankruptcy. This provision stops creditors from:

• Making phone calls
• Sending letters or emails
• Filing lawsuits
• Repossessing property
• Continuing collection actions of any kind

Types of bankruptcy that stop collection actions:

• Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: Often suitable for those with little or no disposable income. It can discharge many types of unsecured debt, including credit card bills, personal loans, and medical debts — often targeted by medical debt collection agencies.
• Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Allows individuals with steady income to restructure debt into a manageable 3- to 5-year repayment plan. This also provides strong protection from harassment while debts are being addressed legally.

When bankruptcy is the right step:

• Multiple collection agencies are involved
• Lawsuits or legal threats are piling up
• You’re being sued in a debt collection lawsuit in Corpus Christior elsewhere
• Cease-and-desist letters are ignored
• Debts have become unmanageable due to illness, job loss, or emergency

Important protections and benefits:

• Stops active and future collection efforts immediately
• Provides a structured legal path toward debt resolution
• Offers long-term relief — not just temporary peace
• Filing for bankruptcy is not giving up — it’s taking control with the full force of the law behind you.

When Legal Action Is the Best Option

Legal action can provide peace of mind, eliminate debt, and stop abusive collection practices. It may be time to speak with a professional when:

• A person receives constant phone calls despite requests to stop
• Debt collectorsare making threats or false statements
• Medical bills have been sent to collections and continue to grow
• A lawsuit has been filed, and the individual cannot pay the debt
• The total debt is too high to manage, and interest keeps compounding

By taking the legal route, many people in Texas have found relief from debt collectors and regained control over their lives.

Tired of Harassing Calls and Letters? You Have the Right to Make It Stop

Constant pressure from collection agencies isn’t something anyone should have to tolerate — especially when there are legal tools available to stop it. Whether it’s a medical debt collection agency sending threatening letters or a collector trying to sue without proper documentation, there are laws in place to protect people from abusive practices.

For residents of Corpus Christi and other parts of Texas, taking that first legal step can lead to lasting relief. The Law Office of Joel Gonzalez focuses on helping individuals stop debt collection harassment through strategic use of bankruptcy laws — including the powerful automatic stay.

With extensive experience and a commitment to every individual case, Joel Gonzalez provides guidance for those who want to stop debt collectors and find lasting financial relief. If collection harassment has taken over your life, it may be time to take action that works.

Contact the Law Office of Joel Gonzalez today to learn how filing for bankruptcy could put an immediate end to collection harassment, stop legal threats, and eliminate eligible debt. Legal help isn’t just an option — it’s often the best decision for peace of mind.