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If you have unpaid debts, you might be receiving calls from debt collectors. While it’s their job to recover money owed to creditors, there are strict federal and state laws that regulate when, how, and how often they can contact you.

Unfortunately, not all debt collection practices are legitimate; fraud and harassment related to debt collection are on the rise. In 2024 alone, U.S. consumers reported losses exceeding $12.5 billion due to fraud, a sharp increase from $10 billion in 2023. Alarmingly, 38% of fraud reports in 2024 involved financial losses, compared to just 27% the previous year.

Many people don’t know their rights when dealing with debt collectors, which can lead to unnecessary stress, harassment, or even paying debts they may not legally owe. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about debt collection call laws: when collectors can call, how they can communicate, your rights under the law, and what to do if a collector crosses the line.

Understanding these rules can help you avoid undue stress and ensure that debt collectors operate within legal boundaries. One of the most common concerns people have is “how late can debt collectors call?” and we’ll address that first.

1. When Can a Debt Collector Legally Call You?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) sets clear guidelines on when debt collectors can contact you.

Permissible Call Times

Debt collectors can only call between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in your local time zone. Any contact outside of these hours is illegal unless:

You explicitly agree to be contacted at a different time.
A court order or legal exemption allows it.

If you’re wondering how late debt collectors can call, the law is clear: 9 p.m. is the cutoff in most cases. If a debt collector is calling outside these hours, you have the right to request that they not contact you.

2. How Many Times Can a Debt Collector Call You?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits debt collectors from engaging in practices intended to harass, oppress, or abuse consumers, including placing repeated or continuous telephone calls. To clarify what constitutes harassment, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has established specific guidelines regarding call frequency.

Call Frequency Limits

Debt collectors are presumed to violate the FDCPA if they:

Call more than seven times within a seven-day period about a specific debt.
Call within seven days after having a telephone conversation with you about that debt.

Important Considerations:

Per Debt Basis: These limits apply per debt. However, in cases such as student loans, multiple debts may be considered a single "particular debt," and the limits would apply collectively.
Voicemails Count: Calls that go directly to voicemail are included in the call count.
Pattern of Calls: Even if the number of calls does not exceed the specified limits, the pattern and frequency (e.g., multiple calls in a single day) may still be considered harassment.

Exceptions to the Call Limits

Certain situations may allow for deviations from these limits:

Consumer Consent: If you provide explicit consent for a debt collector to call more frequently, they may do so legally.
Different Debts: The seven-call limit applies per debt. Therefore, if you have multiple debts with the same collector, they may contact you separately for each.
Returned Calls: If you initiate contact, debt collectors may return your call, even if it exceeds the standard limits.

What Should You Do If a Collector Calls Too Often?

If you believe a debt collector is exceeding the permissible call frequency:

Keep Records: Document the dates, times, and content of each call.
Request Cease Communication: You have the right to request in writing that the collector stop contacting you. We will also cover this in detail later)
File a Complaint: Report violations to the CFPB or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Key Takeaway: If a debt collector calls more than seven times in seven days or contacts you within seven days of a phone conversation about the debt, they may be violating the FDCPA. Maintain thorough records of all communications, and if the excessive calls persist, take appropriate action to protect your rights.

If you are facing issues with debt collection, you can always file a complaint.

3. Where Can a Debt Collector Contact You?

Debt collectors have specific guidelines governing where and how they can contact you. Understanding these rules can help you manage such interactions effectively.

Can They Call You at Work?

Debt collectors are permitted to contact you at your workplace unless they know or have reason to know that your employer prohibits such communications. If you receive collection calls at work and wish to stop them:

Notify the Collector: Inform them that your employer does not allow personal calls at work. You can also refer to the debt collection FAQs by FTC for more details.
Provide Written Notice: For added assurance, send a written notice to the debt collector stating that workplace communications are not permitted.

Once notified, the debt collector must cease contacting you at your workplace.

Can They Contact Your Friends or Family?

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), debt collectors are generally prohibited from discussing your debt with third parties, such as friends, relatives, or neighbors. However, they may contact others to obtain your location information, but they must adhere to the following restrictions:

Purpose of Contact: They can only inquire about your address, home phone number, and place of employment.
Disclosure Limitations: They cannot reveal that you owe a debt or discuss details of the debt.
Frequency of Contact: They may not contact a third party more than once unless they believe the information provided was incomplete or incorrect.

These measures are designed to protect your privacy and prevent debt collectors from exerting undue pressure through your personal connections.

Additional Considerations

Communication via Email or Text: Debt collectors may contact you through email or text messages. If you prefer not to receive such communications, you can request that they stop, and they must comply.
Social Media: Debt collectors can send you private messages on social media platforms but are prohibited from posting publicly about your debt. You can also request that they cease communications through these channels.

Understanding your rights regarding when and where debt collectors can contact you is crucial. If a collector violates these guidelines, consider filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

4. What If You Don’t Want to Be Contacted?

If you do not want a debt collector to contact you, you have the legal right to request that they stop all communication. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Debt Collection Rule, once you make this request, the collector must comply. However, this does not erase the debt; you may still owe it, and the collector or creditor may take legal action to recover it.

How to Stop Debt Collection Calls

Write a Formal Request

Clearly state that you do not want to be contacted by phone, mail, email, or any other communication method.
The CFPB provides sample letters that you can use when responding to debt collectors. You can find them below:

If you use any of these letters, it’s important to do so as soon as possible after the debt.

Send it via certified mail and request a return receipt for proof.
Keep a copy of the letter for your records.

Once they receive your letter:

They must stop calling except to confirm they received your request or to inform you of legal action (like a lawsuit).

5. How Should a Debt Collector Identify Themselves?

Under the FDCPA, debt collectors must:

State their name and company.
Inform you that they are a debt collector attempting to collect a debt.
Tell you that any information you provide will be used for collection purposes.

If they refuse to give their name, agency, or other identifying details, be cautious; they might be a scammer.

6. What Information Must a Debt Collector Provide?

By law, a debt collector must send a written notice within five days of their first contact with you. This notice should include:

The amount owed, including interest and fees.
The name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed.
Your right to dispute the debt and how to do so.

If they don’t provide this information, it may indicate an illegitimate collection attempt.

7. Can a Debt Collector Use Social Media, Email, or Text?

Yes, new CFPB rules allow debt collectors to use:

Email
Text messages
Social media (private messages only)

However, they must:

Clearly identify themselves as debt collectors.
Do not publicly post on your profile or contact your friends/family through social media.
Give you a way to opt out of electronic communications.

8. What If a Debt Collector Harasses You?

Debt collectors cannot:

Threaten violence or harm.
Use profane or abusive language.
Call repeatedly to harass or intimidate you.
Lie about the amount you owe.
Pretend to be a lawyer, government official, or police officer.

If a debt collector is harassing you:

Record and document all interactions.
File a complaint with the FTC, CFPB, or your state’s Attorney General.
Consider legal action; you may be able to sue for damages.

9. What Are Your Rights Under the FDCPA?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) provides consumers with specific rights to protect them from abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices. Key rights include:

1. Right to Validation of Debts

Debt collectors must provide a written notice detailing the amount owed, the creditor's name, and your rights to dispute the debt within five days of their initial contact. This is known as a validation notice.

2. Right to Dispute Debts

If you believe the debt is incorrect or not yours, you can dispute it in writing within 30 days of receiving the validation notice. The collector must then cease collection efforts until they provide verification of the debt.

3. Right to Cease Communication

You can request in writing that a debt collector stop contacting you. Once they receive your request, they may only contact you to confirm they will stop or to inform you of specific actions, like filing a lawsuit.

4. Right to Sue for Violations

If a debt collector violates your FDCPA rights, you can sue them in state or federal court within one year from the date of the violation. Successful lawsuits may result in the collector paying damages and covering your attorney's fees.

Prohibited Practices by Debt Collectors

Debt collectors are prohibited from engaging in abusive, deceptive, or unfair practices, such as:

Misrepresenting Their Identity: They cannot falsely claim to be attorneys, government representatives, or any other entity they are not.
Threatening Unwarranted Legal Action: They cannot threaten actions they don't intend to take or that are legally prohibited, such as claiming you'll be arrested for non-payment.
Adding Unauthorized Charges: They cannot add interest, fees, or charges not authorized by the original agreement or by state law.

Understanding these rights empowers you to handle debt collection interactions confidently and ensures that collectors adhere to legal standards.

Summing Up

Understanding debt collection laws is essential for protecting yourself from unfair or unlawful collection practices. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and rules set by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) provide clear guidelines on when, where, and how debt collectors can contact you.

By knowing your rights, you can:

Determine how late debt collectors can call and whether they are violating legal time limits.
Recognize the limits on call frequency and report violations.
Prevent unwanted contact by formally requesting them to stop.
Ensure that debt collectors properly identify themselves and provide the necessary information about the debt.
Identify and respond to harassment or deceptive collection tactics.
Take legal action if a collector violates your rights.

If you believe a debt collector is breaking the law, you are not powerless. You can file a complaint with the CFPB or the FTC and consider seeking legal assistance.

However, navigating debt collection and settlement on your own can be overwhelming. That’s where Shepherd Outsourcing Services can help. Our team negotiates with creditors on your behalf, working to reduce the total amount owed and create a customized debt management plan that fits your financial situation.

If you’re struggling with debt and want to explore your options for settlement and relief, reach out to Shepherd Outsourcing Services today. Let our experts handle the negotiations while you focus on your financial future with less stress and more confidence.