How to stop debt collector calls

Debt collectors are allowed to contact you, but federal law limits when, where and how often, and you can tell a collector to stop. This guide explains the limits, how to stop or limit contact in writing, and what stopping contact does and doesn't do. The free letter below writes the request for you.

When and how often collectors may contact you

• Time of day: not before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your time zone, or at any other time or place they know is inconvenient for you (15 U.S.C. 1692c(a)(1); 12 CFR 1006.6(b)(1)).
• At work: not at your job if they know or have reason to know your employer doesn't allow it (15 U.S.C. 1692c(a)(3); 12 CFR 1006.6(b)(3)).
• If you have a lawyer: they must contact your lawyer instead of you, once they know about the lawyer (15 U.S.C. 1692c(a)(2)).
• How often: a collector that calls you more than 7 times in 7 days about one debt, or calls within 7 days after a phone conversation with you about it, is presumed to break the law (12 CFR 1006.14(b)(2)).
• Email and texts: every email or text must tell you how to opt out, and the collector must honor your request (12 CFR 1006.6(e)).

Collectors also may not harass you, for example with threats, obscene language or calls meant to annoy you (15 U.S.C. 1692d), and generally may not discuss your debt with your family, neighbors or employer (15 U.S.C. 1692c(b)).

Three ways to limit contact

Ask for writing only. You can tell a collector not to use a particular way of reaching you, such as phone calls, and it must stop using it (12 CFR 1006.14(h)). This keeps a paper record of everything, which helps if you dispute the debt or complain.

No calls at work. Tell the collector in writing that calls at work are inconvenient, and that your employer doesn't allow them if that is true.

Stop all contact. If you tell a collector in writing to stop communicating with you, or that you refuse to pay, it must stop. After that, it may contact you only to say it is ending collection, or that it or the creditor may take, or intends to take, a specific step such as a lawsuit (15 U.S.C. 1692c(c); 12 CFR 1006.6(c)).

What stopping contact does not do

A stop-contact letter does not cancel the debt or stop a lawsuit. The creditor or collector can still sue you if the debt is not too old, and a lawsuit is how most wage garnishments start. If you think you don't owe the debt, send a dispute first or at the same time: see how to dispute a debt. If the debt may be old, check the time limit in your state with the “Is my debt too old?” checker.

State law can add more

Federal limits mainly apply to collection agencies and debt buyers (15 U.S.C. 1692a(6)). In 22 of our 48 state guides, the state's own law also covers original creditors collecting their own debts. Some states add their own contact rules, for example:

• Massachusetts: A creditor or collector may not start more than 2 phone calls, texts or recorded messages per debt in any 7-day period to your home or cell phone, and 2 per 30 days to other numbers (940 CMR 7.04(1)(f)).
• California: Letters and digital messages from a collector must show its California license number in at least 12-point type, and callers must give the license number if you ask (Cal. Civ. Code § 1788.11(b), (f)).
• Washington: Collectors may not contact you or your spouse more than 3 times a week, or call your home between 9:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m., unless responding to you. (RCW 19.16.250(13))

Keep records and complain

Write down the date, time and caller for every call, and keep voicemails, letters, emails and texts. If a collector keeps calling after your letter, calls at banned times or harasses you, complain to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint or (855) 411-2372, and to your state office listed on your state page. You can also sue a collector who breaks the federal law, within 1 year, for your actual damages, up to $1,000 more and your attorney's fees (15 U.S.C. 1692k).

Step by step

1. Decide whether you want writing only, no calls at work, or no contact at all.
2. Fill in the letter below with the collector's name and address from its notice.
3. Sign it, keep a copy and send it by certified mail with a return receipt.
4. Log any contact after the collector receives it, and complain if it continues.