Calling Hours

No matter what they may say, debt collectors have to adhere to certain time restrictions. A debt collection agent cannot call you before 8 am in the morning or after 9 pm at night, unless you verbally agree to something different.



Stop Calls

You can, at any time, send a written letter to the debt collection agency and request they stop calling. By law, creditors cannot continue to call after they have received the cease and desist letter.





Decency

You have the right to be treated decently and fairly by all debt collectors. They have no right to use profane language, make harmful threats, or verbally attack you in any way. If a collector does mistreat you, ask for their name and request to speak with their supervisor.



Correct Amount

Debt Collectors cannot at any time misrepresent the amount of your total debt. Do not be intimidated by someone who exaggerates the amount of money you owe in order to scare you.



Outside Accounts

A debt collection agency has no right to take money from your social security, IRAs, or any other federal benefits. Any collector stating otherwise is only using scare tactics founded on lies.



Debt Report

If you are unsure about your debt amount, debt origin, or any details concerning your debt, then you have the right to request a full debt report. The agency calling should be able to send you a report stating all the information they have on your debt.



Stop Work Calls

If debt collectors are calling your work, you or your supervisor have the right to request that all calls cease immediately.



Refute Debt

You have every right to refute debt claims against you at any time. If you feel that debt a collector is claiming untrue amounts of debt then you have every right to report it as false. At that point, the debt collectors must provide you with proof that the debt amount is correct before they can contact you any further regarding your alleged debt.



Written Notice

Once a collector has called, they must send you a written debt notice in the mail within 5 days. Since it is not the law that you must own a telephone, collectors will attempt to contact you in every way possible. You may also receive e-mail correspondence from collectors or even telegrams.



Call Amount

If you feel a single debt collector is calling you so many times a day that is has practically become harassment, then you have the right to call and speak to a supervisor about it.