I was having a terrible time trying to deal with debt collection harassment the calls just kept coming.  I didn’t think that there was a whole lot I could do other than just put up with it, and it had really started to take a toll on me mentally.  I was already depressed enough just from having a large debt hanging over my head with out someone verbally abusing me about it day in and day out.  Then a good friend of mine suggested that I write a cease letter.  I didn’t know this, but apparently federal law requires collection agencies to stop all efforts to collect a debt after they receive written notification to do so.  My friend told me to be sure to send the letter via certified mail so I would have proof that the letter had been received by the agency and to keep a copy for my records.  My copy of the letter along with the proof that they had received correspondence from me could serve as evidence in a lawsuit in the event that the collection agency continued to harass me regarding the debt.  I’m glad I had someone around to give me this advice, now I won’t have to go on dreading answering the phone every time it rings.