When and how often can a debt collector call me on the phone? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2024)

FAQs

When and how often can a debt collector call me on the phone? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? ›

The new rules create a presumption that the debt collector has committed harassment when they: Call you more than seven times in seven days about a debt. Contact you within seven days after actually having a conversation with you regarding the debt.

Regulation F provides specific rules about how many times can a creditor call you. A debt collector is not allowed to place more than seven (7) calls to a consumer within a seven (7) day time span. Time Constraint: A debt collector is now allowed to get in touch with a consumer before 8 am or after 9 pm local time.

Generally, they may call between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., but you may ask them to call at other times if those hours are inconvenient for you. Debt collectors may send you notices or letters, but the envelopes cannot contain information about your debt or any information that is intended to embarrass you.

Consumers are well-protected when it comes to debt collection. One of the most rigorous rules in their favor is the 7-in-7 rule. This rule states that a creditor must not contact the person who owes them money more than seven times within a 7-day period.

Ignoring debt collection calls may make things easier for a while, but it won't make the problem disappear. Your debt situation could snowball and potentially turn into a bigger issue down the road. Your credit score could take a hit if you repeatedly ignore calls from debt collection agencies.

If you are struggling with debt and debt collectors, Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can help. As soon as you use the 11-word phrase “please cease and desist all calls and contact with me immediately” to stop the harassment, call us for a free consultation about what you can do to resolve your debt problems for good.

Debt collectors are limited on when they can call you — typically, between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. They are not allowed to call you at work. They can't lie or harass you. Debt collectors can't make you pay more than you owe or threaten you with arrest, jail time, property liens or wage garnishment if you don't pay.

Not responding to a properly served lawsuit – even if you're unsure whether you owe the debt – can result in the court issuing a judgment against you, which could limit your ability to dispute the debt, even if it's already been paid or you don't owe it.

What is the new debt collection rule? ›

On November 30, 2021, the Debt Collection Rule became effective. The rule clarifies how debt collectors can communicate with you, including what information they're required to provide you.

FAQ on Regulation F. What is Regulation F? Reg F is a new law that all debt collectors have to adhere to. The overall aim of Regulation F is to outline prohibitions on harassment or abuse, false or misleading representations, and unfair practices.

Can you dispute a debt if it was sold to a collection agency? Your rights are the same as if you were dealing with the original creditor. If you do not believe you should pay the debt, for example, if a debt is stature barred or prescribed, then you can dispute the debt.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, a debt collector may almost certainly call you more than once, but six calls per day is probably too many. Between these extremes, it depends on the facts of your particular case. Can a debt collector call me at work?

Paying an old collection debt can actually lower your credit score temporarily. That's because it re-ages the account, making it more recent again. This can hurt more than help in the short term. Even after it's paid, the negative status of “paid collection” will continue damaging your score for years.

Just one unwelcome call can be harassing, though a single misdial or "wrong number" call might not rise to the level of harassment. It's a good idea to tell the recipient of such a call that you accidentally misdialed the number. People who commit telephone harassment are subject to fines, prison, or both.

If the collector continues to contact you after receiving a written notice to stop or after you've told them you have a lawyer and have provided the lawyer's contact information, they are likely violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). You can sue the debt collector for violating the FDCPA.

Debt collectors aren't allowed to contact your friends, family, or co-workers more than once unless the person they are calling asks them to call again. And who does that? If you find out a debt collector has called someone else, ask them how many times the debt collector has called.

The FDCPA prohibits debt collectors from making false statements about the character, amount, or legal status of your debt. What if the debt collector never sent me written notice of the debt? You can still assert your dispute and verification rights. The 30 day time limit will not apply.