Federal law limits creditor calls to once per day, with narrow exceptions

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) sets the baseline rule: a debt collector can call you no more than once per day. That means one phone call in a 24-hour period, not one call per creditor or one call per debt account. If you owe money to three different creditors, each one is still limited to one call per day.

The rule has two important exceptions. A debt collector can call more than once per day if you give them permission to do so—usually in writing, though a verbal agreement may count depending on your state. They can also call more than once per day if they are trying to reach you about a different debt, not the same one they called about yesterday. But in practice, most collectors stick to one call per day because tracking multiple debts per caller gets complicated and creates legal risk for them.

The FDCPA applies to third-party debt collectors—companies hired by creditors to collect on old debts. If the creditor is calling you directly about a debt you still owe them (not a debt that has been sold or assigned to a collector), the rules are less clear. Some states impose their own limits on creditor calls, but federal law does not explicitly cap how often a creditor can call about their own debt. That said, creditors have their own reasons to avoid calling too often: it annoys customers, it can trigger complaints to regulators, and it can look like harassment in court if you sue.

Key Takeaways

  • A debt collector can call you once per day under federal law, meaning one call in each 24-hour period.
  • The one-call-per-day rule applies to each debt collector separately, so if you owe multiple debts, each collector is limited to one call per day.
  • Debt collectors can call more than once per day if you give written permission or if they are calling about a different debt than the one they called about before.
  • Rules for creditors calling about their own debt (not through a collector) are less strict under federal law, though some states set their own limits.
  • Calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your time zone are illegal under federal law, regardless of how many times per day the collector calls.

What counts as "one call per day" under the FDCPA

The FDCPA does not define "day" as a calendar day or a business day—it means a 24-hour period. If a collector calls you at 3 p.m. on Monday, they cannot call again until 3 p.m. on Tuesday. If they call at 11 p.m. Monday, they cannot call again until 11 p.m. Tuesday. The clock resets every 24 hours from the time of the last call.

A single call counts as one call, even if the collector leaves a voicemail, speaks to you, or tries multiple times to reach you during that one phone call. If they hang up and call back 10 minutes later, that is two separate calls and violates the rule. If they call, you do not answer, they leave a message, and they call again the same day, that is two calls in one day and is illegal under the FDCPA.

Text messages and emails are not counted as "calls" under the FDCPA, so a collector could theoretically send you a text and a voicemail on the same day without violating the one-call-per-day rule. However, some states treat text messages and emails as communications that are subject to their own frequency limits, so check your state's debt collection laws.

When debt collectors can call more than once per day

The FDCPA allows a debt collector to call more than once per day in two situations. The first is if you agree to it. This agreement should be in writing to protect both you and the collector, though some collectors may claim a verbal agreement is valid. If a collector says you agreed to multiple calls per day and you did not, you have the right to dispute that claim. Do not sign anything that allows unlimited calls or calls at any time of day.

The second exception is if the collector is calling about a different debt. If Collector A calls you on Monday about a credit card debt, they cannot call again until Tuesday. But if Collector B calls you on Monday about a medical debt, that is a separate call from a separate collector and does not count against Collector A's one-call-per-day limit. The rule is one call per collector per debt per day, not one call per person per day.

In practice, this exception creates confusion because many people owe money to multiple creditors or have multiple debts with the same creditor. If you have two credit cards with the same bank and both are in default, the bank's collector could argue they are calling about a different debt each time. Courts have split on whether this is allowed, so if you are being called multiple times per day by the same collector about different debts, document the calls and consider filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Time-of-day restrictions that explore to every call

Even if a collector is within their one-call-per-day limit, they cannot call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your local time zone. This rule applies to every call, every day, with no exceptions. If a collector calls you at 7:45 a.m. or 9:15 p.m., that call is illegal regardless of whether it is their one allowed call for the day.

The 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. window is based on your time zone, not the collector's. If you live in Pacific time and the collector is in Eastern time, they must follow Pacific time rules. If you tell a collector what your time zone is and they call outside those hours, they are breaking the law.

Collectors also cannot call you at work if they know your employer does not allow personal calls, and they cannot call you if you have told them in writing that you have an attorney representing you about the debt. Once you send a written notice to the collector saying your attorney is handling the matter, they must stop calling you and contact your attorney instead.

Differences between debt collectors and creditors calling directly

The FDCPA's one-call-per-day rule applies only to debt collectors—third-party companies hired to collect on debts. It does not directly limit how often the original creditor can call you about a debt you still owe them. A credit card company, bank, or medical provider can call you more frequently because they are not technically "debt collectors" under federal law; they are the creditor themselves.

However, creditors are still bound by other FDCPA rules: they cannot call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., they cannot call you at work if they know your employer forbids it, and they cannot harass you. Calling you 20 times per day could be considered harassment even if it is technically legal, and you could sue the creditor for violating the FDCPA's harassment provisions. Many states also have their own laws that limit how often creditors can call, so check your state's attorney general website for local rules.

Once a debt is sold or assigned to a collection agency, the original creditor usually stops calling and the collector takes over. At that point, the one-call-per-day rule applies to the collector. If both the creditor and the collector are calling you about the same debt, that is a violation, and you should document both sets of calls and report them.

How to document calls and file a complaint

If a debt collector is calling you more than once per day, calling outside the 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. window, or calling after you have asked them to stop, keep a record of every call. Write down the date, time, phone number the call came from, the name of the collector or company, and what they said. If they left a voicemail, save it. If you have caller ID, take a screenshot. This record is evidence if you decide to file a complaint or sue.

You can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB investigates complaints about debt collection violations and can take action against collectors who break the law. You can also file a complaint with your state's attorney general or your state's banking regulator. These complaints do not get you money directly, but they create a record that can help if you decide to sue the collector.

If a collector has violated the FDCPA, you have the right to sue them in small claims court or federal court. You can recover up to $1,000 in damages plus attorney fees, even if you do not prove that you suffered actual financial harm. Many attorneys take FDCPA cases on contingency, meaning you do not pay unless you win. If you are being called repeatedly in violation of the law, talking to an attorney about your options is worth doing.

What to do if a collector ignores the rules

If a debt collector calls you more than once per day, your first step is to tell them to stop. You can do this verbally, but it is stronger in writing. Send a letter to the collector's address (you can find it on your credit report or in any letters they have sent you) saying: "I am requesting that you cease all communication with me regarding this debt." Keep a copy of the letter and send it certified mail so you have proof of delivery.

Once you send this letter, the collector must stop calling you. The only exception is if they are calling to tell you they are filing a lawsuit or that they have already filed one. If they keep calling after you have sent a cease-and-desist letter, that is a clear violation and gives you strong grounds to sue.

If you cannot afford an attorney, contact your local legal aid office or a nonprofit credit counseling agency. Many offer free or low-cost help with debt collection issues. You can also contact the CFPB's consumer complaint line at 1-855-411-2372 to report the violations and ask for guidance on next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a debt collector call me on weekends or holidays?

Yes. The FDCPA does not restrict calls based on the day of the week or whether it is a holiday. The only time-based restriction is the 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. window in your local time zone. A collector can call you on Saturday at 10 a.m. or on Christmas at 2 p.m. as long as it is within their one-call-per-day limit.

If a debt collector calls me twice in one day, can I sue them?

Yes. Two calls in one day is a violation of the FDCPA, and you can sue for damages. You do not have to prove you were harmed; the law allows you to recover up to $1,000 plus attorney fees just for the violation itself. Document the calls with dates and times, and consider consulting an attorney who handles FDCPA cases.

Does the one-call-per-day rule explore if I owe money to the same company for two different debts?

This is unclear under federal law. Some courts say each debt is separate and the collector can call once per debt per day. Others say one call per day total, regardless of how many debts you owe. Your state law may clarify this. If you are being called multiple times per day by the same collector, document the calls and file a complaint with the CFPB or your state attorney general.

What if a debt collector calls me from a blocked number or a number I do not recognize?

Collectors can call from any number, including blocked or spoofed numbers. However, if you ask them to identify themselves and they refuse, or if they misrepresent who they are, that is a violation. You have the right to ask the caller's name, the company name, and the debt they are calling about. If they will not tell you, hang up and report the call to the CFPB.

Can I record a call from a debt collector?

It depends on your state. Some states allow you to record a call if one party (you) consents. Other states require all parties to consent. Check your state's recording laws before you record. Even if recording is legal in your state, telling the collector you are recording may cause them to hang up, so consider whether it is worth doing.