How to Stop Harassing Calls from Debt Buyers

If your phone keeps ringing with calls from Midland, LVNV, Portfolio Recovery Associates, or another company you’ve never heard of demanding money, you’re not alone. These are debt buyers—companies that purchase charged off debts from original creditors for pennies on the dollar and then pursue collection of the full balance.

The good news? You have legal rights that can make those calls stop. This guide walks you through exactly how to shut down harassing calls, protect yourself from common debt buyer tactics, and take control of the situation—whether you owe money or not.

Answer First: Fast Ways to Stop Harassing Calls

You don’t have to tolerate endless calls from debt collectors. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you have the right to demand that a debt buyer stop calling you. Once you send a written request, they can only contact you to confirm they’re stopping communication or to notify you of specific legal action.

Here’s what you can do right now to limit or stop calls from companies like Midland, LVNV, or Portfolio Recovery Associates:

• Get the caller’s name and company. Ask for their full name, the company they represent, their mailing address, and the name of the original creditor.
• Request a mailing address. You’ll need this to send your written stop-contact letter.
• Send a cease-and-desist letter by certified mail. Keep the return receipt as proof they received it.
• Save everything. Keep voicemails, take screenshots of call logs, and note the date, time, and content of each conversation.

Important: Never give out your bank account information or agree to make a payment on the spot—especially on old or unfamiliar debts. Before paying anything, verify the debt is legitimate and check whether the statute of limitations has expired in your state.

Repeated calls before 8 a.m., after 9 p.m., at your workplace after you’ve asked them to stop, or after you’ve sent a written stop-contact request may all be FDCPA violations. These violations can support a claim for damages against the debt buyer.

If you’re being sued by Midland, Portfolio, LVNV, or another debt buyer, do not ignore the lawsuit—answer the summons and consider speaking to a consumer attorney immediately.

What Is a Debt Buyer and Why Are They Calling You?

A debt buyer is a company that purchases delinquent debt from banks, credit card companies, and other lenders at steep discounts—often paying just 1 to 10 cents on the dollar for each account. Their business model is simple: buy low, then try to collect the full face value of the total debt for profit.

Companies in the debt buying industry include:

• Midland Funding LLC / Midland Credit Management, Inc.
• Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC
• LVNV Funding LLC (often serviced by Resurgent Capital Services)
• Cavalry SPV I, LLC
• Jefferson Capital Systems, LLC
• CACH, LLC
• Unifund CCR, LLC
• Asset Acceptance

These debt buyers operate differently than the original creditor. They didn’t lend you money—they purchased the right to collect on your account after the credit card company or lender wrote it off as a loss. By 2015, major debt buyers had acquired rights to over $200 billion in defaulted consumer debt.

You might suddenly receive calls from a company you’ve never heard of because your original creditor sold your account after 120 to 180 days of nonpayment. Under federal laws, most debt buyers are treated as debt collectors and must follow the same rules as any collection agency under the FDCPA and related state and federal laws.

How Debt Buyers Get Your Information (And Why It’s Often Wrong)

When creditors sell unpaid debts, they bundle large portfolios of delinquent accounts into spreadsheets containing basic information: names, last known addresses, phone numbers, partial Social Security numbers, original creditor names, and alleged balances.

Here’s where problems start. These debts can be sold and resold multiple times. A credit card debt from 2014 might pass from the original lender to one buyer in 2016, then to another in 2019, and again in 2022. Each transfer increases the risk of errors in:

• Balance amounts (missing payments not credited, inflated fees, duplicate charges)
• Account ownership (debt already settled or discharged in bankruptcy)
• Consumer identity (wrong person contacted due to mixed files)
• Debt age (time barred debt beyond the statute of limitations)

Industry estimates suggest that 30 to 50 percent of accounts in purchased portfolios contain some form of data inaccuracy. Even major firms like Midland Funding, LVNV Funding, and Portfolio Recovery Associates have faced regulatory investigations for collecting without adequate documentation or relying on inaccurate records.

The (CFPB) has documented how systemic data deficiencies lead to wrongful collection attempts estimated in the billions of dollars annually. When a debt buyer contacts you, treat their claim as something to be verified—not as proven fact. Always request debt validation in writing before discussing or making any payments.

Harassment Patterns: How Debt Buyers Break the Rules

The Debt Collection Practices Act has restricted abusive conduct since 1977, with additional regulations like the CFPB’s Regulation F taking effect in 2021. Despite these protections, many debt buyers and their collectors routinely cross the line.

Common Harassment Tactics

Excessive calling frequency. Some consumers report receiving 15 to 20 contacts per month from a single debt buyer. In extreme cases, automated dialing systems generate 50 or more calls daily across portfolios, violating limits set by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

Calls at prohibited times. The FDCPA prohibits calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in the consumer’s time zone. Yet many consumers report receiving early morning or late night calls.

Workplace harassment. Debt collectors must stop calling your workplace once you tell them your employer doesn’t allow such calls. Continuing to call violates federal law.

Illegal threats. Threatening arrest, jail, or criminal charges for consumer debt is illegal. So is threatening lawsuits, wage garnishments, or bank levies that the collector has no present intention or legal ability to carry out.

Dead air and robocalls. Many debt buyers use autodialers or predictive dialing systems, resulting in hang-up calls or silence when you answer. This can feel like stalking and may violate calling rules.

Ignoring legal protections. Some debt buyers continue calling even after the consumer states they have an attorney or have filed bankruptcy—both of which trigger enhanced protections and make further collection calls unlawful.

Written cease-communication letters, attorney-representation notices, and bankruptcy filings can transform continued harassment into potential statutory damages cases.

Keep a detailed log. Record the date, time, company name, phone number, and what was said on each call. Save voicemails and take screenshots. These detailed records become critical evidence if you file a complaint or lawsuit.

Common Debt Buyers: Midland, LVNV, Portfolio Recovery, and Others

Several large companies dominate the U.S. debt buying market and are the most frequent sources of collection calls and lawsuits.

All of these entities are generally treated as debt collectors under the FDCPA. They must follow the same rules as any collection law firm, including honoring written stop-contact requests and avoiding misrepresentations.

Many of these companies have paid significant fines to the FTC or CFPB or reached multistate attorney-general settlements for practices such as robo-signed affidavits, suing on time-barred debts, or failing to verify accounts before filing lawsuits.

If you receive contact from any of these companies, understand that you’re dealing with a debt buyer—not the original creditor. The same rules apply, and often even a small portion of what they claim may be disputed.

Your Legal Rights to Stop Harassing Calls

Several federal and state laws protect consumers from abusive calls and collection tactics by debt buyers and their agents.

FDCPA Protections

Right to demand written validation. Within 30 days of receiving the first written notice, you can request debt validation. The debt buyer must then provide proof of the debt—including documentation of the balance and their ownership—before continuing collection.

Right to stop communication. You can send a written cease-and-desist or “stop calling me” letter. After receiving it, the collector can only contact you to confirm they’re stopping or to notify you of specific legal action they’re taking.

Protection from harassment and abuse. The FDCPA prohibits threats, profanity, and conduct intended to harass. It also bars false representations about the debt or the legal consequences of nonpayment.

Limits on call timing and location. Calls before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m. are prohibited. Calls to your workplace must stop once you say your employer doesn’t allow them.

CFPB Regulation F (Effective November 2021)

These newer rules limit call frequency—collectors are presumed to violate the law if they call more than seven times within seven days per debt. The regulations also require clearer disclosures, including specific notices when dealing with zombie debt that’s beyond the statute of limitations.

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

You have the right to dispute inaccurate reporting by a debt buyer to credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. If the information is wrong or the account isn’t yours, you can demand corrections or deletions from your credit reports.

State Law Protections

Your state may provide additional protections, such as shorter statutes of limitations, stronger bans on lawsuits for time-barred debts, and extra penalties for harassment.

Recovering Damages

Consumers who prove FDCPA violations can recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages per lawsuit, plus actual damages and attorney’s fees. This often makes it possible to get free representation from a consumer-rights lawyer who works on contingency.

Step-by-Step: How to Respond When a Debt Buyer Calls

When a debt buyer contacts you, follow this process to protect yourself and assert your legal rights.

Step 1: Stay Calm and Gather Information

Don’t panic or make any commitments. Ask for:

• The caller’s full name
• The company they represent
• Their mailing address and phone number
• The name of the original creditor
• The account number
• The current balance they claim you owe

Do not admit the debt is yours or agree to pay anything during this call.

Step 2: Verify Who You’re Dealing With

Search the company name online. If they say they’re from Midland, Portfolio, LVNV, or another known debt buyer, confirm their address and phone number from official sources. Be cautious—scammers sometimes impersonate legitimate debt collection agencies.

Step 3: Demand Written Notice

Under the FDCPA, they must send you a written “validation notice” containing specific information about the debt. Insist they mail this before you discuss any details. If they refuse, that’s a red flag.

Step 4: Send a Written Debt Validation Request

Once you receive their letter, you have 30 days to request debt validation if you dispute or are unsure about the debt. Your letter should:

• State that you dispute the debt
• Request proof of the balance, including account statements
• Demand documentation of their chain of ownership from the original creditor
• Ask for a copy of the original signed agreement

Send this by certified mail with return receipt requested. Keep copies of everything.

Step 5: Evaluate the Age of the Debt

Compare the date of your last payment to your state’s statute of limitations (typically 3 to 10 years depending on the state and type of debt). If the debt is time barred, you may have a complete defense to any lawsuit. Be extremely careful—making even a small payment or written acknowledgment on old debts may restart the clock in some states.

Step 6: Send a Cease-Communication Letter If Needed

If calls are frequent or abusive, send a cease-communication letter specifying that they may only contact you in writing or through your attorney. Keep a copy and the certified mail receipt.

Documentation Is Everything

Maintain a file containing:

• All letters received and sent (with envelopes showing postmarks)
• Certified mail receipts
• Call logs with dates, times, and caller information
• Saved voicemails
• Screenshots of call history

If English isn’t your first language, request all communication in writing so you have time to get help understanding documents before responding.

When Debt Buyers Cross the Line: Complaints and Lawsuits

If a debt buyer continues harassing calls after receiving your cease-and-desist letter, threatens illegal actions, or misrepresents the debt, you can take formal action.

Where to File Complaints

(CFPB). File a complaint through their online portal at consumerfinance.gov. Name the specific company and provide dates, recordings, and details. CFPB complaints achieve approximately 75 percent resolution rates.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Report patterns of unfair or deceptive practices at ftc.gov/complaint.

State Attorney General or Consumer Protection Agency. Your state’s AG office may investigate regional practices and can sometimes take enforcement action against repeat offenders.

Private Lawsuits

Many consumers file FDCPA lawsuits in federal or state court. Because successful plaintiffs can recover attorney’s fees, many consumer-rights lawyers take these cases on contingency—meaning you pay nothing unless you win.

Large debt buyers have paid millions in settlements and penalties in past enforcement actions. For example, the CFPB has taken action against major companies for deceptive practices and data inaccuracies. These cases can and do succeed.

Preserve your evidence. Don’t delete voicemails or throw away letters. The frequency, tone, and content of illegal calls often become the key evidence in successful harassment claims.

If LVNV keeps calling daily after you sent a stop-contact letter, or if Midland threatens wage garnishments they have no ability to pursue, those are exactly the kinds of violations that support a lawsuit.

What If a Debt Buyer Sues You?

A lawsuit from Midland, Portfolio, LVNV, or any debt buyer must never be ignored. Failing to respond can result in a default judgment, which can lead to wage garnishments, bank levies, or liens depending on your state’s law.

Recognizing a Real Lawsuit

A legitimate lawsuit includes:

• A court caption with the case name and number
• A summons with specific instructions on how to respond
• Service by a sheriff, process server, or certified mail (depending on your state)

A threatening collection letter is not a lawsuit. But if you receive court papers, take them seriously.

Critical Deadlines

Most states require you to file a written answer within 20 to 30 days of being served. Missing this deadline typically results in an automatic default judgment in favor of the debt buyer—even if you have valid defenses.

Common Defenses in Debt Buyer Cases

Many debt buyer lawsuits can be challenged on grounds including:

• Lack of standing/ownership. The buyer can’t prove they actually own your specific account.
• Failure to prove the balance. Missing account statements or documentation of how the amount was calculated.
• Missing contract. They can’t produce the original credit agreement you allegedly signed.
• Wrong person. The debt belongs to someone else with a similar name.
• Statute of limitations expired. The debt is too old to sue on under your state’s limitations period.

Demand Documentation

If sued, demand that the debt buyer produce:

• Complete chain of title from the original creditor through all interim buyers
• Full account history showing all charges and payments
• The original signed agreement (if required in your state)

Debt buyers frequently file lawsuits using mass-produced paperwork with minimal review, counting on consumers not to appear in court. When challenged, they often dismiss cases or settle for far less than claimed—sometimes for even a small portion of the alleged balance or for dismissal with nothing paid.

Get Help Immediately

If you receive court papers, consult a consumer attorney or legal aid office as soon as possible. This is especially important if you live in states where judgments can quickly lead to wage garnishments or bank seizures.

Remember: harassment by phone often continues or intensifies around the time of filing lawsuits. The same FDCPA protections still apply, and legal action against you doesn’t give them permission to harass.

Protecting Yourself Long-Term from Debt Buyer Harassment

Understanding how companies like Midland, LVNV, and Portfolio Recovery Associates work—and using the FDCPA and related laws—can transform harassing calls into opportunities to assert your rights and protect your finances.

Monitor Your Credit Reports

Check your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion at least annually through AnnualCreditReport.com. Look for new collection accounts you don’t recognize and dispute errors immediately. Under the FCRA, credit bureaus must investigate disputes within 30 days.

Keep Written Records of Everything

Maintain copies of:

• Settlement agreements
• Payment confirmations
• Bankruptcy discharge orders
• Correspondence with collectors

If a debt buyer claims you owe money on a debt you already paid, settled, or discharged, these records prove it.

Be Cautious with Old Debts

Making even a small “good-faith” payment on very old debts may revive the statute of limitations in some states, making a previously uncollectible debt suddenly collectible through the courts. Before paying anything on old debts, understand your state’s rules about restarting limitation periods.

Consider Professional Help

For significant debt problems, consider:

• Nonprofit credit counseling for budgeting and payment plan strategies
• Negotiated settlements (often for a fraction of the claimed balance)
• Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy to permanently stop collection efforts on large volumes of unsecured debt like medical bills and credit card debt

Learn Your State’s Rules

Statutes of limitations range from 3 to 10 years depending on your state and the type of debt. Knowing your state’s rules helps you identify when you’re being contacted about zombie debt that’s no longer legally enforceable.

Take Control

Every unexpected call from a debt buyer is something to verify, not automatically pay. Consumers who understand that debt buyers purchase large portfolios at a fraction of face value—and who know their rights under the FDCPA—are far better positioned to fight back against aggressive tactics.

The debt buying business model relies on volume and on consumers not knowing their rights. By documenting harassment, sending proper written requests, and pursuing complaints or lawsuits when warranted, you can stop the calls, protect your money, and in some cases recover damages for illegal conduct.

Your phone doesn’t have to be a source of stress. Take action today by documenting every call, sending your cease-and-desist letter, and consulting with a consumer rights attorney if harassment continues. The law is on your side.