How Many Times a Day Can a Debt Collector Call?

According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), a debt collector isn't allowed to oppress, harass, or abuse debtors they contact. This rule applies to phone calls, emails, or mails by debt collectors. The question of how many times a day can a debt collector call has constantly remained unanswered and unregulated.

Up until late 2021, there was no limit as to the number of times a debt collector can call you. However, there was a reasonable limit, which, when crossed, constitutes creditor harassment. Currently, Federal Law limits the number of phone calls by ERC debt collection agencies.

What do you do if the debt collector calls every day? The Federal Trade Commission and the FDCPA regulate communication between debtors and third-party debt collectors. Below is a guide on dealing with debt collectors, learning how long can debt collectors try to collect, and how to stop the daily harassing calls from debt collectors.

What Are the Rules for Phone Calls From Debtors?

The Fair Debt Collection Practice Act was put in place to protect debtors from unfair and unethical debt recovery practices. Unfortunately, the FDCPA lacks a specific cap on the number of times a debt collector should call you.

However, it provides specific restrictions on how debt collectors may communicate with you.

A rule enacted in late 2021, amending Regulation F of the FDCPA, directs that debt collectors are presumed to violate federal law if they make phone calls to particular persons in connection with debt collection in either of these circumstances:

• A debt collector calls more than seven times within seven consecutive days.
• A debt collector calls within 7 consecutive days of having had a phone conversation about the debt. The date of the conversation is the first day of
• the 7-consecutive-day period.

However, this phone call frequency comes with a few exclusions, including:

• Calls not connecting to the dialed number
• Calls you initially gave consent to
• Calls made to specific professionals like your lawyer.

If you want to know more about FDCPA, you can check this information:

How Many Calls From a Debt Collector Is Considered Harassment?

Besides the time restrictions provided above, debt collectors can't call you repeatedly or continuously to abuse, harass, or annoy you? As such, while the FDCPA doesn't exactly dictate or limit the number of calls it can make to you, it certainly hinders them from calling you several times just to harass you (15 U.S. Code § 1692d).

What constitutes harassment is ambiguous when filing a complaint to the FTC or relevant authority. Since you can't argue the number of times the debt collector has called you, you may argue about the effects of the constant phone calls, which amount to creditor harassment. This also applies to the number of messages the debt collector can leave for you in a day.

Messages are often proportionate and comparable to phone calls. Therefore, constant phone call messages may also amount to creditor harassment.

When Can a Debt Collector Call You?

Fortunately, phone call time is regulated for debt collectors. For instance, a debt collector cannot call you at an inconvenient or unusual time. Debt collectors cannot contact you before 8:00 am and 9:00 pm unless you agree to it. Doing so gives you the locus standi to sue the debt collectors. Other breaches of law that make debt collection agencies liable include:

• Unprofessional, rude, or uncivilized communication
• Breaking the statute of limitation for debt collection, which protects you for a period of time before the collector can take further action
• Threatening creditors with court
• Forcefully taking protected items such as your stimulus check

In case of such violations, you can choose to deal with the debt collectors individually or hire an expert lawyer to file on your behalf.

How to Stop Debt Collector Calls by Yourself

In case you don't want to receive calls from the debt collector anymore, you can notify them to stop contacting you, either via writing a dispute letter or emailing them. In case you notify a debt collector—via writing—to cease calling you, they can't communicate further with you, except to:

• Inform you that it will stop calling you, or
• Inform you that they will or may pursue alternative remedies under the law, such as taking you to court.

To stop debt collectors from calling, you may first need to verify the details and authenticity of your debt. You may then decide to clear the debt if you can. You can also notify the collector to stop calling you, after which they may try taking you to court as a means of further debt collection.

Alternatively, you may specify how you want them to communicate with you. If this doesn't work and the collector insists on further violations, report them to the FTC or an alternative authority.

How to Stop Debt Collector Calls With the Help of DoNotPay

Whether dealing with credit cards, student loans, or medical debt collections, DoNotPay can help you handle your debt collectors accordingly. Here is how DoNotPay can help you stop frequent and harassing calls from debt collectors.

1. Search “debt collection” on DoNotPay.

2. Answer a series of questions about the debt collectors, including when you were contacted and how you were contacted, so we can determine if they have violated any debt collection laws.

3. Decide which course of action you want to take based on our guidance, such as filing a debt verification request, demanding for the collectors to stop contacting you, or reporting them to the CFPB.

Reach out to DoNotPay to help you stop debt collector calls and negotiate with debt recovery agencies on your behalf.

Why Use DoNotPay to Stop Debt Collectors From Calling?

• Fast: Less time following up with requests made to debt collectors
• Easy: No filling of unnecessary forms to get the service you desire
• Satisfaction guaranteed: DoNotPay makes a strong case on your behalf.

How Else Can DoNotPay Help?

Besides dealing with debt collection agencies, DoNotPay can also help you to:

• Help with bills
• Find missing or unclaimed money
• Draft and send financial aid appeal letters
• Cancel any services or subscriptions
• Increase your credit limit
• Get clean credit reports.

Check out DoNotPay's debt collection product page to start negotiating with your debt collectors on your terms, especially the frequency and nature of their calls.