The FDCPA and RFDCPA allow a debt collector or creditor to call your friends, family, or references only if they are unable to locate you and only to verify or correct information such as your address and telephone number.

Can creditors call family members?

It is Legal for a Debt Collector to Contact Your Family Typically, debt collectors are allowed to contact each family member, but only once. The only case where they may do so again is if they believe the information given to them was false.

Can a debt collector talk to anyone else about my debt?

Debt collectors usually can’t contact people you know more than once and they can’t say they’re trying to collect on a debt. Generally, a debt collector can’t discuss your debt with anyone other than: You. Your attorney, if you are represented with respect to the debt.

What can a debt collector say to a third party?

Debt collectors are allowed to contact third parties to obtain or confirm location information, but the FDCPA does not allow debt collectors to leave messages with third parties. Location information is defined as a consumer’s home address and home phone number or workplace and workplace address.

What happens when debt collectors call for someone else?

If they stop making the payments, you’re on the hook for the debt and legitimate debt collection calls until the balance is paid. If you’re wondering about how this could impact your credit score or what happens when a collection agency calls for someone else, the answer is not much.

Is it legal for debt collectors to spoof phone numbers?

Is It Legal for Debt Collectors to Spoof Numbers? Legally, debt collectors can spoof their phone numbers, but the FDCPA doesn’t allow them to hide their identity—such as when you ask what agency they are calling from. They also can’t spoof a number that would indicate they are from a law firm or any type of official government agency.

Is there a do not call registry for debt collectors?

Debt collectors are not telemarketers and are not bound by Do not call registries. As long as the autodialer calls are not to your cell phone then they have done nothing wrong. If it IS to your cell phone and you haven’t told them it was your cell they might not know and thus would have done nothing wrong.

Do you have to list all creditors in bankruptcy?

That depends on where you live and whether you had assets in your bankruptcy case. Bankruptcy rules require you to list all of your creditors in your schedules. If you do not, then the omitted debt might not be discharged. However, in most bankruptcy districts, the omitted debt is discharged if yours is a “no asset” bankruptcy case.