FDCPA Cease & Desist
How to Stop Harris & Harris Collection Calls
If Harris & Harris keeps calling you, federal law gives you a way to end it. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act you can demand in writing that a debt collector stop contacting you. Once a covered debt collector receives this letter, federal law generally limits further contact. Here is who Harris & Harris is, why they have your number, and exactly how to shut the calls down.
Government fines and tolls can carry extra consequences like license holds, so confirm the account type first. The FDCPA still covers how Harris & Harris may contact you.
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Who is Harris & Harris?
Harris & Harris is a Chicago based agency that collects for utilities, city and state governments, healthcare systems, and tollway authorities. Many of its accounts are things like unpaid utility bills, parking fines, and toll violations.
Company type
collection agency
Commonly collects
utility bills · government debts · healthcare bills · tolls and fines
You can check any collector's complaint history in the CFPB's public complaint database at consumerfinance.gov before you engage with them.
Your rights when Harris & Harris calls
Two federal rules control how Harris & Harris may contact you. The FDCPA (15 U.S.C. Section 1692c) gives you the right to cut off contact entirely with a written request. Regulation F, in force since 2021, presumes a collector is harassing you if it calls more than 7 times in 7 days about a single debt, or calls again within 7 days after speaking with you about that debt.
- Validate first. Within 30 days of first contact you can demand proof of the debt. If you dispute the debt in writing within the validation period, the collector must pause collection until it sends verification.
- Then send a written cease and desist. Cite 15 U.S.C. Section 1692c(c) and send it by USPS Certified Mail with return receipt. Phone requests do not trigger the law. It has to be in writing.
- Keep everything. Save the receipt, the green card, and a log of any call after delivery. Each violation is worth up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus attorney fees, and consumer attorneys take these cases on contingency.
Stop Harris & Harris From Calling
We draft your cease and desist letter, citing 15 U.S.C. Section 1692c(c) and your state's debt collection law, with Harris & Harris's name pre-filled. Add USPS Certified Mail with proof of delivery so you have evidence if they call again.
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Harris & Harris FAQs
Is Harris & Harris a legitimate company or a scam?
Harris & Harris is a real collection agency based in Chicago, Illinois, not a scam operation. But legitimate company does not mean accurate debt. Collectors regularly pursue balances that are wrong, already paid, past the statute of limitations, or belong to someone else. Ask for written validation of the debt before you pay or even acknowledge it.
Why is Harris & Harris calling me?
Harris & Harris typically collects utility bills, government debts, healthcare bills, tolls and fines. As a third party agency, they were hired by the original creditor to collect on its behalf. If you do not recognize the debt, request validation in writing within 30 days of their first contact.
How do I make Harris & Harris stop calling?
Send a written cease and desist letter citing 15 U.S.C. Section 1692c(c), the FDCPA cease communication provision. Send it by certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery. Once Harris & Harris receives it, they may only contact you to confirm they are stopping or to notify you of a specific legal action. Any other contact is a violation worth up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus attorney fees.
Can Harris & Harris still sue me after I send a cease and desist?
Yes, a cease and desist stops contact, it does not erase the debt. If the debt is valid and within the statute of limitations, Harris & Harris could still file suit. In practice, most accounts are never litigated. If you are served with court papers, respond by the deadline, because ignoring a lawsuit leads to a default judgment.
Dealing with a different collector?
Want the full legal background? Read our guide on how to stop debt collector calls under the FDCPA or check your state's cease and desist rules.
Company details are provided for general information and may change. This page is not legal advice and kweldoc is not affiliated with Harris & Harris. kweldoc is a document drafting tool, not a law firm.