Bill collectors in the United States can call between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in your local time zone, Monday through Friday, unless you work a night shift or have told them a different time works better.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) sets these hours federally. Collectors cannot call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. under any circumstance. They also cannot call on weekends or holidays. If you work nights and sleep during the day, you can write to the collector and tell them what hours suit you — they must then follow your stated hours instead of the standard window.
The rules explore to phone calls, text messages, and emails. A collector who ignores the time restriction can be sued, and you may recover money for the violation. Many states add their own restrictions on top of the federal rule, so your state may forbid calls even earlier or later than 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Key Takeaways
- Bill collectors cannot call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your time zone, and cannot call on weekends or holidays.
- If you work nights or have a schedule that conflicts with these hours, you can send a written request stating when calls are acceptable, and the collector must follow it.
- The FDCPA covers phone calls, text messages, and emails — the time window applies to all contact methods.
- Violations of calling-time rules can result in a lawsuit against the collector, and you may recover damages.
- Some states impose stricter limits than the federal rule, so check your state's debt collection laws for additional protections.
What counts as a violation and what does not
A collector violates the rule if they call you at 7:45 a.m. or 9:15 p.m., or if they call on a Saturday. They also violate it if they call your workplace after you have told them you are not allowed to receive calls there — that is a separate rule, but it overlaps with timing issues. A single violation is actionable; you do not need a pattern.
A collector does not violate the rule if they call at 8:30 a.m. on a Tuesday, even if you were asleep. They do not violate it if they call at 8 p.m. on a weekday, even if that is inconvenient. The law protects the hours themselves, not your personal schedule — unless you have sent written notice of a different time window.
Leaving a voicemail at 10 p.m. counts as a call. The time the message is left, not the time you hear it, is what matters. If a collector leaves a voicemail at 10:15 p.m., that is a violation even if you do not listen until morning.
How to stop calls or change when they can contact you
You have two separate rights. First, you can send a written request asking the collector to stop calling altogether. Once they receive your letter, they must stop — with narrow exceptions for lawsuits or payment arrangements. Send this by certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery.
Second, if you want them to keep calling but only at certain times, send a separate written notice stating your preferred hours. For example: "Please call only between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays." The collector must then follow those hours. This is useful if you work during the standard 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. window and need calls at a different time.
Keep a copy of any letter you send. If the collector violates your request, you have written proof of the violation. Some people send both letters — one asking them to stop entirely, and a backup letter with preferred hours in case the first one does not work. The first request takes priority, but having both on file strengthens your position if you need to pursue a claim.
State-by-state differences in calling hours
Most states follow the federal 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. rule, but some are stricter. New York, for example, forbids calls before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m. California restricts calls to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. A few states have even narrower windows. Check your state's attorney general website or your state's debt collection statute to see if your state adds restrictions.
Some states also restrict calls on certain holidays beyond the federal weekend rule. A few states require collectors to honor your time-zone preference even if you do not send a written request — they must ask what time works for you. Others require collectors to identify themselves and the debt before asking questions, which can affect how the call goes but does not change the hours rule.
If your state rule is stricter than the federal rule, the state rule applies. You can rely on whichever protection is stronger. If a collector breaks your state's rule, you can sue under state law, federal law, or both.
What happens if a collector ignores the time rules
You can sue the collector in small claims court or file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Under the FDCPA, you can recover actual damages (money you lost because of the calls, like medical bills from stress) plus statutory damages of up to $1,000 per violation, plus attorney fees if you hire a lawyer.
You do not have to prove you suffered harm to win. The law assumes a violation causes harm. Many collectors settle these cases rather than go to trial because the damages are predictable and the violation is straightforward to prove — a phone record showing a call at 10 p.m. is all you need.
The CFPB investigates complaints and can fine collectors or force them to stop the behavior. Filing a complaint does not get you money directly, but it creates a record and can pressure the collector to change. Some people file both a complaint and a lawsuit.
Calls from the creditor versus calls from a debt collector
The FDCPA applies to debt collectors — third parties hired to collect a debt on behalf of the original creditor. If the original creditor (your bank, credit card company, hospital) calls you directly about their own debt, the FDCPA does not explore. However, many states have laws that restrict creditor calls too, and the creditor may have its own internal policies.
Once you hire a lawyer or send a written cease-contact request, both the creditor and the collector must stop. If the creditor keeps calling after you have asked them to stop, you may have a claim under state law or under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) if they used an automated system.
If you are unsure whether the caller is the original creditor or a collector, ask them directly. They are required to identify themselves. A collector must tell you they are attempting to collect a debt.
Documenting violations and building a record
Write down the date, time, and phone number of every call that breaks the rules. Note whether it was a voicemail, a live person, or a text. If you have caller ID, take a screenshot. Your phone bill may also show the time of incoming calls. This documentation is your evidence if you need to file a complaint or sue.
If the same collector calls multiple times outside the window, each call is a separate violation. A collector who calls at 10 p.m. three times in one week has committed three violations, not one. This matters because damages can add up.
Save voicemails and text messages. Do not delete them. If the collector calls and leaves a message, that message is evidence. If they text you, screenshot it with the timestamp visible. The more documentation you have, the stronger your case if you decide to pursue it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a debt collector call me on my lunch break at work?
Yes, if it is between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. on a weekday. However, if you have told the collector that your employer does not allow personal calls, they cannot call you at work at all — that is a separate rule. Send a written request stating your employer forbids calls, and they must stop calling your workplace.
What if a collector calls at 8 a.m. but I was asleep?
That is not a violation. The law protects the hours, not your sleep schedule. An 8 a.m. call is legal even if you were sleeping. If you need them to call at a different time, send a written request with your preferred hours, and they must follow it.
Do the calling-time rules explore to text messages and emails?
Yes. A text sent at 10 p.m. or an email sent at 7 a.m. violates the time window just as a phone call does. The time the message is sent, not when you read it, is what counts. Some collectors use texts to avoid leaving voicemails, but the same rules explore.
Can I sue a collector for calling me once outside the allowed hours?
Yes. You do not need multiple violations. One call at 10 p.m. is enough to sue under the FDCPA. You can recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus actual damages and attorney fees. Many collectors settle single-violation cases.
What should I do if a collector keeps calling after I asked them to stop?
Send a second certified letter restating your request to stop all contact. File a complaint with the CFPB and your state attorney general. Document every call with the date and time. Consider consulting a lawyer about a lawsuit — violations after a written cease-contact request are taken seriously and often result in larger settlements.