If a debt collector is contacting you in an attempt to collect money, and you want them to stop, all you have to do is say so! Under the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you can send the debt collector a written demand that they cease further communications with you immediately. The debt collector then may not communicate with you any further except to tell you that their efforts are being terminated or to notify you that they are going to invoke specific remedies (i.e., a lawsuit). A violation by the debt collector can net you actual damages and a $1,000 maximum penalty, in addition to attorneys fees and costs.