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Which Collectors This Law Covers#
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects consumers from unfair and abusive collection practices. It regulates professional third-party collection businesses, agents, and attorneys, but it does not bind a creditor’s own in-house collection department or employees who are collecting the creditor’s own debts.
What Collectors Cannot Do#
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibits collectors from using unfair, abusive, or deceptive practices. This includes the specific actions listed below.
| Banned Practice | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Profane or obscene language | Collectors cannot curse at you or use abusive language during a call. |
| False legal threats | Collectors cannot falsely claim they will take legal action against you. |
| Unauthorized disclosure | Collectors cannot tell other people about your debt without your consent. |
| Threats of violence or imprisonment | Collectors cannot threaten to harm you or have you jailed over the debt. |
Rules About Calling You#
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a debt collector may not contact a debtor at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., unless the debtor allows it.
Contacting Other People About Your Debt#
Collectors are usually allowed to contact third parties, such as a family member or neighbor, only once, unless they believe that person gave incorrect or incomplete information.
Legal Issues#
If a collector is calling you at work, inform them that your employer does not allow you to talk while you’re at work and they must stop.
Some debts may be too old to collect on. Different states have different statutes of limitations on the life of a debt, so make sure you do some research before deciding your debt has aged out. If your debt has passed your state’s statute of limitations and you make a payment on it because you were unaware, it will re-age the debt. No matter how small the payment, it will re-start the clock.
Collectors can sue you for your debts before they move to collect off of your property, wages, and/or bank accounts.
What To Do If You Think a Collector Broke These Rules#
A consumer who believes a bill collector has violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act can contact their state Attorney General office or the Federal Trade Commission. Consumers should report any problems they have with debt collectors to these offices.
Prepare Ahead of Time To Contact Them#
If you haven’t already, start keeping a log of when the creditor calls you, which company they work for, which debt they are collecting on, and who you are speaking with. This will help you keep track of your debts and keep your collectors honest about any discrepancies that may occur.
Identify your essential needs first, such as mortgage/rent payments, groceries, transportation to and from work, utilities, and insurances. You do not want to be in the position where you are paying the bill collector who is screaming the loudest and letting your needs fall by the wayside. Create a budget and see what you are able to afford to pay towards your debts each month, if at all. Even if you are truly unable to afford a payment to your creditors, you will be able to explain your situation to them. Never promise them more than you can afford.
What To Do Next#
If a collector’s call crosses one of these lines, write down what was said and when it happened. Then contact your state Attorney General’s office or the Federal Trade Commission to report the problem. These offices are the recognized places to report Fair Debt Collection Practices Act concerns.
Common questions
Does the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act cover calls from my original creditor?
No. The law regulates professional third-party collection businesses, agents, and attorneys, but not in-house collectors who are employees of the creditor collecting its own debt.
Can a debt collector call me at any hour?
No. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a collector may not contact you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. unless you allow it.
Can a debt collector tell my family or neighbors about my debt?
Collectors are usually allowed to contact a third party only once, unless they believe that person gave incorrect or incomplete information. They are not allowed to disclose your debt to others without your consent.
What counts as an illegal threat from a debt collector?
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act bans threats of violence or imprisonment, as well as false claims that legal action will be taken against you.
Who do I contact if a debt collector breaks these rules?
You can contact your state Attorney General's office or the Federal Trade Commission to report a suspected violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
Where this information comes from
- Equal Credit Opportunity Act | Cambridge Credit cambridge-credit.org Checked 2026-08-25.
- Disclosures, State Licenses | Cambridge Credit cambridge-credit.org Checked 2026-08-04.
- What is a Charge-Off? | Cambridge Credit cambridge-credit.org Checked 2026-08-04.
- Credit Card Bill Collectors | Cambridge Credit cambridge-credit.org Checked 2026-08-04.
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act | Cambridge Credit cambridge-credit.org Checked 2026-08-04.
- Mortgage Shopping Tips | Cambridge Credit cambridge-credit.org Checked 2026-08-04.
- Understanding Credit Card Applications | Cambridge Credit cambridge-credit.org Checked 2026-08-04.
- Utility Bill Budget Plans | Cambridge Credit cambridge-credit.org Checked 2026-08-04.
- FICO Expansion Scores | Cambridge Credit cambridge-credit.org Checked 2026-08-04.
- Cambridge Credit Counseling, confirmed by President and CEO Christopher Viale in August 2026. Checked 2026-08-24.