
Debt collectors can call you multiple times a day, but there's a limit to how many times they can call in a row before they have to stop.
According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, debt collectors can't call you more than seven times in a row within a 7-day period, or more than once in a 7-day period if you ask them to stop calling.
If you ask a debt collector to stop calling, they must stop calling you, but they can still send you letters or emails to try to collect the debt.
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Debt Collector Call Rules
Debt collectors have rules to follow when contacting you about a debt. Generally, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects consumers from unfair and abusive practices.
The FDCPA limits how often debt collectors can call you. As of late 2021, a collector can't call you more than seven times in seven days or within seven days after talking to you about the debt.
Debt collectors also can't call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your local time zone, unless you've given explicit permission to be contacted during those hours.
The FDCPA sets strict guidelines on how debt collectors can contact you. They're prohibited from engaging in any conduct meant to harass, oppress, or abuse you. This includes using threats, profane language, or repeatedly calling with the intent to annoy or harass.
If you're being harassed by debt collectors, you have the right to take action. You can tell the debt collector to stop calling, and they must comply. If they don't, you may want to consider consulting with a lawyer or a consumer protection agency.
Here are the key FDCPA call limits:
Remember, these are just some of the provisions of the FDCPA, and there may be additional state-specific laws that provide further protection for debtors.
Understanding FDCPA
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that regulates how debt collectors can contact you. It sets limits on how late creditors can call you, prohibiting calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your local time zone, unless you've given explicit permission to be contacted during those hours.
Debt collectors are also prohibited from engaging in any conduct that's meant to harass, oppress, or abuse you, including using threats, profane language, or repeatedly calling with the intent to annoy or harass.
They must accurately identify themselves as debt collectors, provide the correct amount owed, and disclose the purpose of the communication. This means they can't make false or misleading statements to get you to pay up.
Debt collectors are generally not allowed to disclose information about your debt to third parties, such as family, friends, or employers.
Here are the specific rules for telephone call frequency:
Debt collectors are presumed to violate federal law if they place more than 7 calls within 7 consecutive days or call within 7 consecutive days of having had a telephone conversation about the debt.
Debt Collector Call Limits
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) sets limits on how often debt collectors can call you. A debt collector is presumed to violate federal law if it places telephone calls to a particular person in connection with the collection of a particular debt in either of two circumstances: when it calls more than seven times within seven consecutive days, or when it calls within seven consecutive days of having had a telephone conversation about the debt.
This limitation applies to each particular debt, not per consumer. So, a debt collector can call you more often if you owe on several debts they're trying to collect.
Here are some key call limits:
- A debt collector can call you up to 7 times within 7 consecutive days.
- A debt collector can call you again after 7 days, once they have spoken with a particular consumer about a specific debt on the phone.
The FDCPA also sets limits on call hours, prohibiting debt collectors from contacting you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your local time zone, unless you have given explicit permission to be contacted during those hours.
If you believe that a debt collector has violated a FDCPA rule while attempting to contact you, it is best to begin legal action as soon as possible. You only have 1 year from the time the violation occurred to take legal action.
Consumer Rights
You have the right to some peace and quiet, even from bill collectors. Under the FDCPA, collectors are prohibited from calling before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. (local time for the consumer) unless the consumer agrees otherwise.
Harassment is not tolerated. Debt collectors are not allowed to harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt.
If you're worried about collectors calling you at work, you're in luck. Collectors are restricted from calling your workplace if they know or have reason to know that your employer prohibits such calls.
Be wary of false or misleading information. Collectors are prohibited from using any false, deceptive, or misleading representations or means to collect any debt.
You have the right to stop communication at any time. If you notify the collector in writing that you refuse to pay the debt or wish them to stop contacting you (with some exceptions), they must cease communication.
Here are some key consumer rights to keep in mind:
- Prohibiting calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. (local time for the consumer) unless the consumer agrees otherwise.
- Prohibiting debt collectors from harassing, oppressing, or abusing any person in connection with the collection of a debt.
- Restricting calls to the consumer’s workplace if the collector knows or has reason to know that the employer prohibits such calls.
- Prohibiting debt collectors from using any false, deceptive, or misleading representations or means to collect any debt.
- Requiring collectors to cease communication if the consumer notifies them in writing that they refuse to pay the debt or wish the collector to stop contacting them (with some exceptions).
- Prohibiting debt collectors from using unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt.
Stopping Harassing Calls
If you're being bombarded with debt collector calls, there are steps you can take to put a stop to them. You have the right to request that the calls cease, and collectors are prohibited from calling you after 9 p.m. or before 8 a.m.
To put a stop to harassing creditor calls, you can start by documenting all calls you believe are harassment. Keep a detailed log of the date, time, and content of each communication, as this information will be crucial if you decide to take legal action against the creditor.
You can also request that the collector stop calling you, and if they continue to do so, you can report them to the Federal Trade Commission. Additionally, if a collector calls you seven times in a seven-day period, but places all seven calls on the same day, it may be considered a violation of the FDCPA.
Identifying Creditor Harassment
Creditor harassment can take many forms, but one of the most common is excessive phone calls.
If a creditor is calling you multiple times a day, especially after you've asked them to stop, it may be a sign of harassment. Document all these calls, including the date, time, and content, as this information will be crucial if you decide to take legal action.
Related reading: Reporting Harassing Debt Collectors
Calls at unreasonable hours, like early in the morning or late at night, are also a red flag. This can disrupt your daily life and be extremely stressful.
If your employer prohibits work calls, and a creditor continues to call your workplace, this is a clear sign of harassment. You can use this as evidence to support your case.
Creditor harassment can also involve calls to friends, family, or neighbors in an attempt to pressure or embarrass you.
Here are some clear signs that a creditor's behavior has crossed the line into harassment:
- Multiple calls per day, especially after you’ve requested that the calls stop.
- Calls at unreasonable hours, such as early in the morning or late at night.
- Calls to your workplace after you’ve informed the creditor that your employer prohibits such calls.
- Calls to friends, family, or neighbors in an attempt to pressure or embarrass you.
- The use of threatening, profane, or abusive language during calls.
How to Stop Harassing Creditor Calls
If you're getting harassing creditor calls, you have the right to take action and put a stop to them. You can tell the debt collector to stop calling you, and they must comply.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) limits how often debt collectors can call you. They can't call you more than seven times in seven days or within seven days after talking to you about the debt.
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Debt collectors can't call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your local time zone, unless you give them explicit permission to do so. They also can't call you at work after you've informed them that you're not allowed to take personal calls on the job.
If you're getting repeated calls, document them by keeping a log of the date, time, and content of each communication. This will be helpful if you decide to take legal action against the creditor.
Here are some steps to take to stop harassing creditor calls:
- Tell the debt collector to stop calling you.
- Keep a record of all calls, including the date, time, and content of each communication.
- If the calls continue, consider seeking help from a consumer protection agency or a lawyer.
You have one year from the time the violation occurred to take legal action against the creditor. Don't hesitate to take action to protect yourself from harassing creditor calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 11 word phrase to stop debt collectors?
To stop debt collectors, use the 11-word phrase "Please cease and desist all calls and contact with me, immediately." This phrase can provide significant protection against aggressive debt collection practices.
How many times can a debt collector call you before it's considered harassment?
According to the FDCPA, a debt collector can call you up to 7 times in a week before it may be considered harassment. Excessive calls can lead to serious consequences, so know your rights
What is the 7 in 7 rule for collections?
The 7 in 7 rule limits debt collectors to making no more than 7 phone calls within a 7-day period about a specific debt. This rule aims to prevent harassment and protect consumers from excessive debt collection calls.
Sources
- https://www.rahmanlegal.com/blog/how-many-times-can-a-debt-collector-call-me-in-a-day/
- https://www.loker.law/blog/how-many-times-can-a-debt-collector-call-me-in-one-day/
- https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/does-the-law-restrict-the-times-debt-collector-can-me.html
- https://www.kixie.com/sales-blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-debt-collection-call-laws/
- https://warelawfirm.com/how-many-times-a-day-can-a-creditor-call-you-before-it-becomes-harassment/
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