If you have delinquent bills, debt collection agencies are able to report your debt to credit bureaus, file suits against you, and should be taken extremely seriously. The best way to protect yourself and your finances is a methodical approach. First, know why you are being contacted. Know what the debt is from and precisely how much it costs.

Inquire about the name of the person calling, the agency, the creditor, and the agency’s address and fax number. You are permitted to tell a collector over the phone that you want all future contact to be in writing. Follow up all the requests you have made with a written request.

Keep in mind if you tell the collector not to contact you at all it is entitled to call you once more to let you know how it plans to proceed. Another request that can be made is that you are the only person that should be contacted. It is a good idea to keep a file including details and dates of phone conversations and when you send or receive letters.

If you do send any written correspondence to the collections company do this by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested. This guarantees that the letter reached the collector, giving you a signed receipt as proof. If you work out a re-payment plan over the phone, ask for the terms of the plan in writing. Any promise to remove or adjust credit history should also definitely be documented.

Make sure that you pay the right party; payments should be made out to the collections agency, not the creditor, unless you have been otherwise instructed to do so. Carefully look over the amount you are being asked to pay. Get to know how much interest, fees or charges that have been added.

If you feel as though your collection agent is acting abusive or hostile, be sure to mention it to the agency and keep this complaint on file. The last thing to keep in mind is don’t ignore a collector. Even if you feel that the debt is not yours; they will continue to call and it may mean more trouble and time in the long run.

Mallory Megan is employed by a debt collection agency. Also she composes articles on business, finance, consumer spending and collection agencies.