Debt collectors can call you between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in your time zone, Monday through Friday, unless you tell them to stop

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) sets the hours when debt collectors are allowed to contact you by phone. They can call between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in your local time zone on any day of the week — but most collectors avoid weekends and holidays as a matter of practice. The 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. window is the federal limit, and it applies no matter which state you live in.

If a debt collector calls you outside those hours, or if they call repeatedly in a way that feels harassing, you have the right to tell them to stop. You can do this in writing, by phone, or through your attorney. Once you make that request, the collector must stop calling — with one exception: they can call back once to tell you they are stopping, or to say they are taking legal action.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal law allows debt collectors to call between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in your time zone, and they can call on any day of the week unless state law is stricter.
  • You can stop debt collector calls by sending a written request, which forces them to stop all contact except for a single follow-up call or notice of legal action.
  • Calls before 8 a.m., after 9 p.m., or to your workplace when your employer forbids it are illegal under federal law.
  • If a collector calls you repeatedly in a short period, calls you at work knowing your employer objects, or uses abusive language, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
  • Some states have stricter rules than federal law — for example, some ban calls before 9 a.m. or after 8 p.m. — so your state's limits may be narrower.

How to stop debt collectors from calling you

The fastest way to stop calls is to send a written request. Write a letter or email to the debt collection company saying you do not want them to contact you by phone. Include your name, account number (if you have it), and the date. Send it by certified mail with return receipt so you have proof they received it. Once they get your letter, they must stop calling — they cannot call again except to confirm they received your request or to tell you they are filing a lawsuit.

You can also tell a collector over the phone that you want them to stop calling. However, a written request is stronger because it creates a paper trail. If they call again after you send a letter, you have evidence they broke the law. Keep a copy of your letter and the certified mail receipt in a safe place.

If you have a lawyer, the collector must stop calling you and contact your attorney instead. Send the collector a letter saying your attorney is representing you and include your lawyer's contact information.

What counts as illegal calling under federal law

Debt collectors break the FDCPA when they call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your time zone. They also cannot call your workplace if they know your employer does not allow personal calls, and they cannot call you repeatedly in a way meant to harass or annoy you — for example, calling five times in one day or calling every hour.

Collectors also cannot use abusive language, threaten you with violence or arrest, or claim they will take action they cannot legally take (like threatening to have you jailed for owing a debt). They cannot tell your family members, friends, or coworkers about your debt — they can only tell your spouse or parent, and only to find out where you live or work.

If a collector breaks any of these rules, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. You can also sue the collector in small claims court or hire a lawyer to sue them in civil court. Many lawyers who handle FDCPA cases work on contingency, meaning they take payment only if you win.

State laws that are stricter than federal rules

Some states have their own debt collection laws that are stricter than the FDCPA. For example, California does not allow calls before 9 a.m. or after 8 p.m., which is one hour narrower on each end than federal law. New York bans calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., but also requires collectors to tell you in writing within five days of their first contact that you have the right to dispute the debt.

A few states require collectors to send you a written notice before they can call at all. Others limit how many times a collector can call in a week or require them to honor a request to stop calling by phone (not just in writing). Check your state's attorney general website or consumer protection office to see if your state has rules that protect you more than federal law does.

What to do if a collector calls at the wrong time

Write down the date, time, and phone number of the illegal call. If possible, record the call (check your state's recording laws first — some states require both parties to consent to recording). Write down the collector's name and the company name if they said it. Save any voicemails they leave.

Send the collector a written request to stop calling, as described above. Then file a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Include the dates and times of the illegal calls and explain why they were illegal (for example, "called at 7:30 a.m." or "called my workplace after I told them my employer forbids personal calls"). The CFPB will investigate and may take action against the company.

You can also file a complaint with your state's attorney general or consumer protection office. Many states have their own enforcement teams that handle debt collection violations. If the violations are serious or repeated, you may want to consult a lawyer about suing the collector.

Debt collection calls at your workplace

Collectors can call you at work, but only if your employer allows it. If you have told the collector that your employer does not allow personal calls, or if you know your workplace has a policy against them, the collector cannot call you there. If they do, that is a violation of the FDCPA.

Tell the collector in writing that your employer forbids personal calls. Include the date you told them and keep a copy. If they call your workplace after that, document the date and time, and file a complaint with the CFPB. You can also ask your employer to document that the call happened and that it violated company policy — this strengthens your complaint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can debt collectors call me on weekends or holidays?

Federal law does not ban weekend or holiday calls — the FDCPA only sets the 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. time window. However, some states do restrict weekend calls, so check your state's rules. Most collectors avoid calling on weekends and holidays as a matter of practice, even though they are allowed to.

What if I ask the collector to call at a specific time?

If you tell a collector to call you at a certain time, they can call during that time even if it is outside the 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. window. For example, if you say "call me at 7 a.m. before I go to work," they can do that. However, this agreement must be clear and specific — a vague conversation is not enough.

Do debt collectors have to leave voicemails?

Collectors can leave voicemails, but they cannot identify the debt in the message if someone other than you might hear it. They also cannot call repeatedly just to leave voicemails, as that can count as harassment. If a collector is leaving multiple voicemails a day, that may be a violation.

What happens if I ignore a debt collector's calls?

Ignoring calls does not make the debt go away, but it also does not give the collector the right to break the law. They still cannot call outside the allowed hours or harass you. If you ignore them long enough, they may file a lawsuit, which is why it is often better to respond or send a written request to stop calling.

Can I record a debt collector's call?

This depends on your state's recording laws. Some states allow you to record a call if you are part of the conversation (one-party consent). Other states require both people on the call to agree to recording (two-party consent). Check your state's laws before recording. Even if you cannot record, you can take notes on what the collector said and use those notes in a complaint.