Template Cease and Desist Letters to Debt Collectors

Co-Founder of SoloSuit
George Simons, JD/MBA

George Simons is the co-founder and CEO of SoloSuit. He has helped Americans protect over $1 billion from predatory debt lawsuits. George graduated from BYU Law school in 2020 with a JD-MBA. In his spare time, George likes to cook, because he likes to eat.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

Summary: A cease and desist letter is a written request that asks a debt collector to stop contacting you. Below, you’ll learn when to use one, what it does (and doesn’t) do, and you’ll get a free template you can copy/paste.

What Is a Cease and Desist Letter to a Debt Collector?

A cease and desist letter is a formal written notice sent to a debt collector requesting that they stop contacting you about a debt. Under federal law, debt collectors generally must honor this request, with limited exceptions.

When someone falls behind on debt payments, collection activity often increases—calls, letters, emails, and voicemails. In many cases, the original creditor has transferred or sold the account to a third-party debt collector.

A cease and desist letter helps you set clear boundaries and create a written record of your request.

Need to respond to a lawsuit instead? Draft an Answer with SoloSuit.

Debt Collectors and Federal Consumer Protections

Debt collection activity in the U.S. is regulated by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The FDCPA sets limits on when and how debt collectors can contact consumers.

Your Rights When Contacted by a Debt Collector

Under the FDCPA, debt collectors generally cannot:

Call you before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.
Contact you at work if you’ve told them not to
Use threatening, abusive, or obscene language
Threaten legal action they do not intend to take
Discuss your debt with friends, family, or coworkers
Post about your debt on social media

What Happens After You Send a Cease and Desist Letter?

Once a debt collector receives your cease and desist letter, they generally may only:

Confirm that they will stop contacting you, or
Notify you that they intend to take a specific legal action, such as filing a lawsuit

A cease and desist letter does not erase the debt. It limits communications.

Template Cease and Desist Letter to Debt Collectors (Copy/Paste)

Quick Answer: What should a cease and desist letter include?

Your name and mailing address
The debt collector’s name and address
Your account/reference number (if available)
A clear request to stop contacting you
How you want communications handled (e.g., mail only, or none)
Your signature and the date

Important: Do not include sensitive information (like your Social Security number). Keep the letter short and factual.

Option A: “Stop Contacting Me” (Cease All Communications)

Use this if you want the collector to stop contacting you entirely.

[Your Full Name]
[Your Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]

[Date]

[Debt Collector Name]
[Debt Collector Address]
[City, State ZIP]

Re: Cease and Desist Request
Account/Reference Number: [If available]

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to request that you cease and desist from contacting me regarding the debt referenced above. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), I am requesting that you stop all communication with me about this debt.

If you intend to take any specific legal action, you may notify me in writing by mail only at the address listed above.

Sincerely,

[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]

Option B: “Contact Me Only in Writing” (Limit Communications)

Use this if you want to stop calls/texts and allow mail only.

[Your Full Name]
[Your Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]

[Date]

[Debt Collector Name]
[Debt Collector Address]
[City, State ZIP]

Re: Communication Preference (Mail Only)
Account/Reference Number: [If available]

To Whom It May Concern:

I am requesting that you stop contacting me by phone, text message, email, or any other electronic method regarding the debt referenced above. If you need to communicate with me, you may do so only in writing by U.S. mail at the address listed above.

Thank you for honoring this request.

Sincerely,

[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]

How to Send Your Letter (Best Practices)

Send via Certified Mail (or another trackable method) and keep a copy for your records.
Save proof of delivery and any responses you receive.
If you receive a lawsuit after sending the letter, respond to the court notice by the deadline.

Can a Debt Collector Still Sue You?

Yes. Sending a cease and desist letter does not prevent a debt collector from filing a lawsuit if the debt is legally enforceable.

In some states—such as Virginia—a debt collection lawsuit may be called a warrant of debt. In other states, it may be a civil complaint or collection action. Regardless of the name, the lawsuit seeks a court judgment for the amount allegedly owed.

What a Debt Lawsuit Notice Usually Includes

Names of the parties involved
The amount claimed
The reason for the claim
A response deadline and/or court date

Already served? Draft and file your Answer with SoloSuit to avoid default judgment.

How to Respond If You’re Sued After Sending a Cease and Desist Letter

If a collector sues, respond by the deadline. Common steps include:

Filing a written Answer with the court
Responding to each allegation in the complaint
Raising affirmative defenses (for example, statute of limitations)
Sending a copy of your Answer to the opposing party

SoloSuit’s Answer process is designed to help consumers follow required court procedures and deadlines.

Draft your Answer in minutes with SoloSuit

Preparing for Court in a Debt Collection Case

If a case proceeds, debt collectors typically attempt to show:

The original agreement or account terms
Proof they own the debt or have authority to collect it
An accurate accounting of the balance owed

Consumers often defend themselves by showing:

The amount claimed is incorrect
The statute of limitations has expired
Payments were not properly credited
The debt belongs to someone else

What Happens If You Lose a Debt Collection Case?

If the court rules in favor of the debt collector, a judgment may be entered. Judgments can remain enforceable for many years, depending on state law.

If a judgment is entered, collection methods may include:

Wage garnishment
Bank account levies
Property liens

Certain income, such as Social Security benefits, is generally protected from garnishment under federal law.

Key Takeaway

A cease and desist letter is a powerful way to limit unwanted debt collection contact—but it should be used strategically. Understanding your rights, keeping records, and responding promptly to any lawsuit can help you stay in control of the process and avoid unnecessary consequences.

What is SoloSuit?

SoloSuit makes it easy to respond to a debt collection lawsuit.

How it works: SoloSuit is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your answer. Upon completion, you can either print the completed forms and mail in the hard copies to the courts or you can pay SoloSuit to file it for you and to have an attorney review the document.

Respond with SoloSuit

"First time getting sued by a debt collector and I was searching all over YouTube and ran across SoloSuit, so I decided to buy their services with their attorney reviewed documentation which cost extra but it was well worth it! SoloSuit sent the documentation to the parties and to the court which saved me time from having to go to court and in a few weeks the case got dismissed!" – James

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