Collection agencies can call you between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in your local time zone, Monday through Friday

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that sets the hours when debt collectors can contact you by phone. They are allowed to call between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in whatever time zone you live in — not their time zone. This applies to calls about debts they are trying to collect, whether the debt is credit card debt, medical debt, or another type.

Collection agencies cannot call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. under federal law. They also cannot call you on Sundays or holidays, though the FDCPA does not specifically list which holidays. Most agencies treat major federal holidays (New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas) as no-call days, but this can vary by company.

If a collector calls outside these hours, that is a violation of the FDCPA. You have the right to tell them in writing to stop calling, and they must honor that request. You can also report the violation to your state's attorney general or to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Key Takeaways

  • Collection agencies can call between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in your local time zone, Monday through Friday only.
  • Calls before 8 a.m., after 9 p.m., or on weekends and major holidays are violations of federal law.
  • You can send a written request telling a collector to stop calling, and they must comply within a reasonable time.
  • Repeated calls outside permitted hours or after you have asked them to stop can be reported to the CFPB or your state attorney general.
  • The FDCPA rules explore to third-party debt collectors, but some rules may differ if the creditor themselves is calling.

What counts as a violation of calling hours

A collector violates the FDCPA if they call you at 7:45 a.m., at 9:30 p.m., or at any time on a Saturday or Sunday. The time that matters is your time zone, not theirs. If you live in Pacific time and a collector in Eastern time calls you at 6 p.m. their time (which is 3 p.m. your time), that is legal. If they call at 10 p.m. their time (7 p.m. your time), that is also legal. But if they call at 6 a.m. your time, that is a violation, even if it is 9 a.m. where they are.

Repeated calls in a short period — such as calling five times in one day — can also be a violation under the FDCPA, even if each call falls within the 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. window. The law says collectors cannot call with such frequency that it becomes harassment. What counts as "harassment" depends on the situation, but calling multiple times per day without a legitimate reason is generally considered excessive.

How to stop collection calls

You have two ways to stop a collector from calling you. The first is to send them a written request to stop contacting you. This must be in writing — a phone call does not count. Send it by certified mail with return receipt so you have proof they received it. Once they receive your written request, they must stop calling within a reasonable time, usually within a few days.

The second way is to hire a lawyer or have a lawyer represent you in the debt matter. Once a collector knows a lawyer is handling your case, they must contact the lawyer instead of you. If they call you after that, it is a violation.

Keep in mind that sending a cease-and-desist letter does not make the debt go away. The collector may still pursue other legal actions, such as filing a lawsuit. But they cannot contact you by phone after receiving your written request.

Exceptions and special situations

The 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. rule applies to calls about consumer debts — credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, and similar accounts. It does not explore to calls about business debts or debts owed by a business. If you owe a debt in a business capacity, a collector may be able to call at different times.

If you are in bankruptcy, the rules change. Once you file for bankruptcy, an automatic stay goes into effect that stops most collection calls entirely. Collectors who call after they know you have filed for bankruptcy are violating the bankruptcy code, not just the FDCPA.

Some states have stricter rules than the FDCPA. For example, some states do not allow calls before 9 a.m. or after 8 p.m. If your state has a stricter rule, the state rule is what applies. Check your state's consumer protection laws or contact your state attorney general's office to learn what rules explore where you live.

What to do if a collector calls outside permitted hours

Write down the date, time, and phone number of the call. If possible, note the name of the person who called and the company they said they were from. Keep this information in a safe place — you may need it later as evidence.

Send the collector a written cease-and-desist letter by certified mail. In the letter, state that they called you outside the permitted hours and ask them to stop calling. Keep a copy of the letter and the certified mail receipt.

If the calls continue, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov. You can also contact your state attorney general's office. Some states allow you to sue a collector for FDCPA violations and recover money damages, including statutory damages of up to $1,000 per violation plus actual damages and attorney fees. A lawyer who handles FDCPA cases can tell you whether you have a case worth pursuing.

Understanding time zones and the 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. rule

The FDCPA uses your local time, not the collector's time. This matters if you live in a different time zone from the collection agency. For example, if you live in Hawaii and a collector in New York calls you at 1 p.m. Eastern time, that is 7 a.m. Hawaii time — before 8 a.m. — so it is a violation.

If you are unsure what time zone applies to you, use the time zone where you physically live or where you receive the calls. If you travel frequently or live near a time zone border, document the time zone you were in when the call came in. This can matter if you end up disputing the call later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a collection agency call me on Saturday or Sunday?

No. Under the FDCPA, collectors can only call Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in your time zone. Weekend calls are violations. If a collector calls you on Saturday or Sunday, document the date and time and send them a written cease-and-desist letter.

What if a collector calls me at 8:59 p.m.?

That is legal. The window closes at 9 p.m., so a call at 8:59 p.m. is within the permitted hours. A call at 9:01 p.m. would be a violation. If you are unsure of the exact time, write down what you remember and note it in any complaint you file.

Can a collector call my workplace?

Yes, but only if they cannot reach you at home. Once they know your employer does not allow personal calls, they must stop calling your workplace. The 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. rule still applies to workplace calls. If your employer tells the collector that you cannot receive personal calls, document this and send the collector a written request to stop calling your workplace.

Do the calling hour rules explore if the original creditor is calling, not a third-party collector?

The FDCPA applies to third-party debt collectors — companies hired to collect a debt on behalf of the original creditor. If the original creditor (like your credit card company) is calling, different rules may explore. Some states regulate creditor calls, but the federal FDCPA rules are stricter for third-party collectors. Check your state's laws to learn what applies to creditor calls in your area.

Can I record a collection call?

This depends on your state. Some states allow you to record a call if one party (you) consents. Other states require both parties to consent. Before recording, check your state's recording laws. Even if you can record, the collector must still follow the FDCPA rules about calling hours and frequency.