When you have debt, one of the most important things is learning how to deal with debt collectors while you work on paying it off. Remember: when a collector calls you about a debt, you have legal rights. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects people like you from abusive collectors when there are overdue payments. Among other things, it regulates harassment and intimidation. Even if a collector is “polite,” calling too frequently can still be considered harassment. So, how many calls are considered harassment?
When do repeated calls become harassment?
As mentioned earlier, debt collectors cannot do or say whatever they want. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the law does not set a specific number of calls that is allowed. What it does say is that collectors cannot call repeatedly or continuously with the intent to annoy, abuse, or harass you or anyone who shares your phone number.
It’s not just about how many times they call, but also when and where. Collectors cannot call at unusual hours or at a place they know is inconvenient for you (such as your workplace). Calls are prohibited before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
Your right to say “stop calling”
You have the right to tell a collector to stop contacting you. For it to be legally binding, you must do it in writing. If you send a written request telling a debt collector to cease contact, they can only reach out again to:
Confirm that there will be no further contact, or
Notify you that your creditor may take a legally permitted action (such as filing a lawsuit).
Keep in mind that even if the calls stop, the issue is not resolved. Your creditor may still sue you or report negative information to a credit reporting agency.
Safe Credit Solutions can help with debt collector harassment
You may not want to stay in debt, and you’re doing your best to pay it off—but you don’t have to face this situation alone. At Safe Credit Solutions, a credit consultant can review your debt profile and help you define the best strategy to improve your credit score. As you make progress, the harassing calls should decrease; if they don’t, we can also help you manage collector harassment. No matter your situation, we’re here to support you.
