• Debt collectors cannot threaten to contact, or actually contact, your employer, relatives, or friends about your debt except in very limited circumstances. For example, the collector can confirm your employment or address. However, your debts are your business and a debt collector may not tell your family members or co-workers about your debts. If you have an attorney, you can require the debt collector to contact your attorney and stop contacting you personally.
  
  
• If you receive unwelcome calls from debt collectors at home or work, you should write a letter that clearly tells them not to call and why. It can include information such as that the calls could jeopardize your job, or that repeated calls are harassing you. The letter can also tell the debt collectors how they should reach you, such as only contacting you by mail, at your home address. Send the letter certified mail and keep a copy for your records.

• Even though debt collectors threaten garnishment, they cannot actually garnish your wages without first suing you in court and winning a judgment. A debtor can often pay-off or renegotiate the debt before a lawsuit is filed, or before an unpaid judgment has advanced to the garnishment stage.

• Since valid debts should be paid, when the collector does call or write according to your instructions, it is important for you to respond. Instead of handling matters on the phone, we recommend dealing with debt collectors in writing as much as possible. Therefore any agreement for payment is in writing and you have a copy.

Consumer Complaint Form

To request further information or to file a complaint, write to:
Attorney General's Office
Consumer Protection division
Hoover Building
1305 E. Walnut
Des Moines, IA 50319