Come to your workplace Under the FDCPA, it’s illegal for a debt collector to come to your workplace to collect payment. The act prohibits publicizing your debts, and showing up at your job to collect your debt counts. This means that debt collectors cannot harass you in-person at your work.

How often can a creditor call you?

Federal law doesn’t give a specific limit on the number of calls a debt collector can place to you. A debt collector may not call you repeatedly or continuously intending to annoy, abuse, or harass you or others who share the number. You do have a right to tell the debt collector to stop calling you.

Are debt collectors allowed to call family members?

Generally, a debt collector cannot contact your family, neighbors, or other people about your debt unless: The debt collector is doing so to get your location information; A court has given the debt collector permission to do so; You or your attorney agreed in writing that the debt collector may contact other people.

When is a debt collector not allowed to call you?

The law lists specific ways in which debt collectors are not allowed to harass you. They are not permitted to: Call you before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. without your permission Contact you at all if you tell the collector, in writing, to stop contacting you altogether or to contact only your attorney.

Can a debt collector find out who a relative works for?

Debt collectors can’t reveal that they’re working for a collection agency unless the relative “expressly” requests this information, e.g. they ask “Who do you work for?” or “Who is your employer?” 2 

How can I stop debt collectors from contacting my family?

You can request that the debt collector stop contacting you about the debt, but you must make the request in writing by sending a cease and desist letter. If you’re already in contact with a debt collector who threatens to tell your family about your debt, they’re breaking the law.

Can a debt collector claim to be a consumer reporting agency?

They also cannot claim to be working for a consumer reporting agency. If you really don’t owe the debt, there are steps you can take. Even if you do, debt collectors aren’t allowed to threaten, harass, or publicly shame you. You can order them to stop contacting you.