With the economy the way it is, more and more people are falling behind and getting harassed by debt collectors but there are things you can do to make them stop.

CNN reports the first thing you should do when contacted by a debt collector is demand proof of the debt.

If a debt collector contacts you, your first move should be to ask for proof of the debt, said Linda Sherry, of Consumer Action, a consumer advocacy group. “What you should get is a real document with your signature that shows you applied for the debt.”

Collection agencies use a practice of tracking people down called “skip tracing.”

“Sometimes they make huge leaps between what’s real and what’s not,” Sherry said. You might have been contacted erroneously, just because you have the same name as the debtor they are looking for, or their old cell phone number.

Even if the debt is yours, it could be old enough to no longer be collectable. Some debt has a statute of limitations, which can range from three to 15 years, depending on your state. Make sure you find out your debt’s expiration date because once you pay a portion or initiate a payment plan, the clock starts ticking all over again, Sherry said.

However, I feel it’s more important to get advice from a Consumer Advocate Lawyer or a Lawyer that has lots of experience dealing with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act before taking the calls and speaking with debt collectors. It’s not the end of the world, and they can’t do anything to you, if you hang up on them or don’t pick up the phone! Also once you have a lawyer the collectors must stop calling you once you tell them to deal with him or her.

If you have the ability to pay, and do owe the debt, the best thing you can do is attempt to work out a payment plan and start paying off the debt but get an agreement in writing before submitting any payment.

For some more tips see CNN’s article, Debt collectors on the rampage.

The contents of this post are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. I’m not a lawyer, so I do not give legal advice. If you should have any questions please consult a licensed attorney.