Debt collectors cannot call you on Sunday under federal law
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) sets the hours when debt collectors are allowed to contact you by phone. They cannot call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your time zone. More importantly, they cannot call you on Sunday at all — the law treats Sunday as a day when calls are prohibited regardless of the time.
This rule applies to most debt collection calls, whether the debt is from a credit card, medical bill, personal loan, or other source. The restriction exists to give you protected time away from collection calls. If a collector calls you on Sunday, that call violates federal law, and you have the right to document it and take action.
The one exception is if you have given the collector written permission to call on Sunday. This is rare and must be in writing — a verbal agreement does not count. Even then, the 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. time window still applies.
Key Takeaways
- Debt collectors cannot call you on Sunday under the FDCPA, even if you owe money and the debt is legitimate.
- Calls are only allowed between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in your local time zone, Monday through Saturday.
- If a collector calls you on Sunday, write down the date, time, caller ID, and what they said — this is evidence of a violation.
- You can send a written request asking the collector to stop calling, and they must honor it within five business days.
- Repeated violations or calls outside permitted hours may give you grounds to file a complaint with your state attorney general or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
What the FDCPA says about calling days and times
The FDCPA is a federal law that governs how debt collectors can contact you. It does not eliminate the debt itself — it only controls the methods and timing of collection attempts. The law says collectors cannot call you at inconvenient times or places, and Sunday is defined as an inconvenient time.
The permitted window is 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in your time zone, and this applies only Monday through Saturday. If you live in Eastern Time and a collector calls at 7:45 a.m. on a Wednesday, that is also a violation — the time matters as much as the day. Collectors must use your local time, not theirs.
The law also says collectors cannot call you at work if they know your employer does not allow personal calls, and they cannot contact you if you have a lawyer representing you on that debt. Once you have a lawyer, all communication must go through the lawyer, not directly to you.
How to document a Sunday call or other violation
If a collector calls you on Sunday, keep a record. Write down the date and time of the call, the phone number it came from (check your phone bill or caller ID), the name of the person or company that called, and what they said. If you have voicemail, save it. This documentation is your evidence.
Do not delete text messages or emails from collectors either. Screenshots with the date and time visible are useful if you need to show what happened. The more specific your record, the stronger your case if you decide to file a complaint or take legal action.
Many people assume one call is not worth reporting, but the FDCPA treats each violation as separate. One Sunday call is one violation. If the same collector calls you on multiple Sundays, that is multiple violations, and the pattern matters when you file a complaint.
Sending a written request to stop calls
You have the right to tell a debt collector to stop calling you. The most effective way is to send a written request — a letter or email that you can prove was received. Send it to the address or email on any bills or letters from the collector, or call and ask where to send a cease-contact request.
Once the collector receives your written request, they must stop calling within five business days. They may still contact you by mail or through other legal means, but phone calls must stop. Keep a copy of what you sent and any proof of delivery (certified mail receipt, email read receipt, or delivery confirmation).
If the collector continues calling after you have sent a cease-contact letter, that is another violation. Document those calls the same way — date, time, number, and what was said. Multiple violations after a cease-contact request strengthen your case significantly.
What happens if you file a complaint
You can file a complaint about FDCPA violations with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) online at consumerfinance.gov. You can also contact your state attorney general's office, which has a consumer protection division. Some states have their own debt collection laws that are stricter than the FDCPA, so your state may offer additional protection.
When you file a complaint, include the dates and times of the calls, the collector's name and phone number, and what they said. Attach copies of any documentation — voicemails, screenshots, letters, or your written cease-contact request. The CFPB forwards complaints to the collector and tracks patterns across many complaints.
Filing a complaint does not when ready stop the calls, but it creates an official record. If many people complain about the same collector, the CFPB or your state attorney general may investigate and take enforcement action. You can also consult a lawyer about suing the collector for damages, though you will need to pay for that yourself unless you win and the court orders the collector to pay your legal fees.
Your right to dispute the debt itself
A Sunday call or a call outside permitted hours does not mean the debt is not real. The FDCPA violation is separate from whether you owe the money. However, you have the right to dispute the debt within 30 days of the collector's first contact with you.
Send a written dispute to the collector saying you do not believe you owe the debt or you want proof that you do. The collector must then stop collection efforts until they send you written proof of the debt — usually a copy of the original contract or account statement. This is called debt verification, and it is your right under the FDCPA.
If the collector cannot verify the debt, they must stop trying to collect it. If they continue anyway, that is another violation. Disputing the debt does not erase it if it is real, but it forces the collector to prove their case before they can keep calling.
Sunday calls from creditors versus debt collectors
The FDCPA applies to third-party debt collectors — companies hired to collect debts on behalf of the original creditor. It does not explore to the original creditor themselves, such as your bank or credit card company. Those companies have different rules under other laws, and they may be able to call on Sunday.
However, many states have their own laws that restrict when creditors can call. Check your state's consumer protection laws or contact your state attorney general to find out what applies where you live. Some states prohibit calls on Sunday even from the original creditor.
If you are unsure whether the caller is a third-party collector or the original creditor, ask them directly. They are required to identify themselves. If they refuse or are unclear, that itself may be a violation — collectors must disclose who they are and that they are attempting to collect a debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a debt collector call me on Saturday?
Yes. The FDCPA only prohibits calls on Sunday. Saturday calls are allowed as long as they fall between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in your time zone. If a collector calls on Saturday at 10 p.m., that is a violation of the time rule, not the day rule.
What if the debt collector says they did not know it was Sunday?
It does not matter. The collector is responsible for knowing what day it is and what time zone you are in. Ignorance is not a defense under the FDCPA. If they called on Sunday, it is a violation regardless of their reason.
Can I sue a debt collector for calling on Sunday?
Yes. You can sue for actual damages (money you lost because of the call) and statutory damages up to $1,000 per violation, plus your lawyer's fees if you win. Many lawyers handle FDCPA cases on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront. Contact a consumer law attorney in your state to discuss your situation.
Does the FDCPA explore if I live outside the United States?
The FDCPA applies to debt collectors operating in the United States, regardless of where you live. If you are a U.S. citizen or resident and a U.S.-based collector calls you, the law applies. If you are outside the U.S. and the collector is also outside the U.S., different rules may explore.
What if I gave permission for Sunday calls but now want to revoke it?
Send a written request to the collector stating that you no longer give permission for Sunday calls. They must honor your new request. Keep a copy for your records. Any Sunday calls after that are violations.