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Quick answer
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, debt collectors generally can’t call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. your local time, and calling more than 7 times in 7 days about a debt is presumed to be harassment. Collectors also can’t threaten you, use abusive language or lie about what you owe.
Who do these rules apply to?
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and its rule, known as Regulation F, mainly cover third-party debt collectors: collection agencies, debt buyers and lawyers who regularly collect debts for others. They apply to personal, family and household debts, such as credit cards, medical bills, auto loans and mortgages. Original lenders collecting their own debts are generally not covered by the FDCPA, though other laws may apply.
The key rules for debt collectors
- Call times
- No calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. your local time, unless you agree.
- Call frequency
- Calling more than 7 times within 7 days about a debt, or within 7 days after a phone conversation about it, is presumed to be harassment.
- At work
- Collectors can’t contact you at work if they know your employer doesn’t allow it.
- Other people
- Collectors generally can’t discuss your debt with family, friends or your employer, except to find your contact information.
- No abuse
- No threats of violence, obscene language or repeated calls meant to annoy you.
- No lies
- No false threats of arrest, no pretending to be a lawyer or government official, and no misstating the amount you owe.
- Validation
- Collectors must give you information about the debt, including the amount, the creditor and how to dispute it.
Many states have their own debt collection laws with additional protections. This is a general summary of public federal law, not legal advice.
Signs a collector may be crossing the line
Tick anything you’ve experienced.
These signs can point to collection practices the law limits. An advocate can help you document what’s happening, free of charge.
Start a free reviewYour rights when a collector contacts you
Dispute the debt
If you dispute in writing within the validation period, the collector must pause collection until it sends verification.
Ask them to stop
You can tell a collector in writing to stop contacting you. After that, contact is very limited.
Choose how they reach you
You can tell a collector which times or methods are inconvenient for you.
Report problems
You can submit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission.
Steps you can take
- Keep a contact logWrite down every call, text and letter: date, time, company name and what was said.
- Save everything in writingKeep letters, voicemails, texts and emails. Screenshots of call logs can help.
- Dispute or ask for details in writingIf you don’t recognize the debt or the amount is wrong, dispute it in writing within the validation period.
- Limit or stop contact in writingTell the collector which times or methods to avoid, or ask them to stop contacting you.
- Report violationsSubmit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Don’t ignore court papers. If a collector sues you, responding by the deadline matters.
Getting calls that cross the line? We can help you document them.
Common questions about debt collectors
What time can debt collectors call?
Generally between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. your local time, unless you agree to other times.
How many times can a debt collector call me?
Calling more than 7 times within 7 days about a debt, or within 7 days after a phone conversation about it, is presumed to be harassment.
Can a debt collector call my job?
Not if the collector knows your employer doesn’t allow those calls. Collectors generally also can’t discuss your debt with your employer.
Can I make a debt collector stop calling?
Yes. You can tell the collector in writing to stop contacting you. This doesn’t erase the debt, but contact becomes very limited.
Can a debt collector threaten to have me arrested?
No. Collectors can’t falsely threaten arrest or jail, or make other threats.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission: Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Debt collection
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Submit a complaint
This guide is general information based on public sources. It isn’t legal advice, and Credit Dispute is not a law firm.