Can Debt Collectors Call Your Family Members & Friends?

No. Debt collectors are allowed to call your family members, but only to get contact information. They cannot say you owe a debt or discuss any details about it. If they do, they may be violating federal law.

debt collection calls

Why Is a Debt Collector Calling My Family?

Debt collectors sometimes contact family members if they cannot reach you directly. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) allows this, but only to confirm:

  • Where you live
  • Your phone number
  • Where you work

They are not allowed to say they are collecting a debt or reveal that you owe money.

Some debt collectors go further than the law allows. They may try to pressure you by involving your family or create embarrassment to push you into paying. These tactics can violate your rights.

The FDCPA bans conduct that harasses, oppresses, or abuses consumers. It also prohibits disclosing your debt to third parties, which includes relatives, unless a specific exception applies.

@lemberglaw Can a #debtcollector call your friends and family? #lawyer #debt #lawsuit #debtcollectionagency #law #sue ♬ original sound – Lemberg Law

What Can Debt Collectors Say to My Family?

  • When calling a third party like a family member, a debt collector:
  • Must identify themselves by name
  • Must give their employer’s name if asked
  • Can only ask for your address, phone number, or employer
  • Cannot mention that you owe a debt
  • Cannot say they are trying to collect a debt
  • Cannot contact the family member more than once unless the person asks them to call back or provides new information
  • Cannot send any letters, emails, or written messages about your debt to a family member

Can Debt Collectors Call Family Members Illegal

Are There Any Exceptions?

There are a few situations where a debt collector can legally speak with someone else about your debt:

  • You gave permission. If you authorized the collector to talk to a family member, they may do so.
  • There is a court judgment. If enforcement of the judgment reasonably requires contact, it may be allowed.
  • A co-signer is involved. If a relative co-signed your loan or account, they are responsible too. In that case, they are not considered a third party.
  • The relative misrepresented themselves. If a family member falsely claimed to be you and the collector relied on that, it may not be a violation. (Lovelace v. Stephens & Michaels Assoc., Inc., 2007 WL 3333019)

Can I Stop Debt Collectors from Contacting My Family?

Yes. If the collector is not violating the law but you still want the calls to stop, you have two options:

  1. Send a cease and desist letter – This legally requires the debt collection agency to stop all third-party contact. After that, they can only reach out to you directly, and only to confirm they are ending collection efforts or taking legal action.
  2. Hire a consumer rights attorney – Once you are represented, the collector must contact your attorney, not you or your family.

If the collector keeps calling family members, uses threats, or contacts them repeatedly, they may be breaking the law.

What Can You Do if a Collector Breaks the Law?

You may be entitled to compensation under the FDCPA. That includes:

  • Actual damages
  • Up to $1,000 in statutory damages
  • Attorney’s fees
  • Court costs

You do not have to deal with this alone. At Lemberg Law, we hold debt collectors accountable. You pay nothing unless we win your case.

Get Help Today

If a debt collector has contacted your family, we can help. Call 475-277-1600 or fill out our online form for a free case evaluation.

We are here to protect your rights and stop the harassment.

If a debt collector has been hounding you, call 475-277-1600 or complete our online form for a free, no obligation case evaluation. Our attorneys have experience in fighting debt collectors and standing up for consumers.

Have questions? Call us now at 475-277-1600 for a Free Case Evaluation.

Our services are absolutely FREE to you.

The harassing company pays our fees.

11 COMMENTS
  • Emily

    I keep receiving calls from a debt collector at weird hours and very early mornings. They’ve now started calling my family members.

  • Orlando S

    I had a debt collection agency that called my old neighbor in Virginia after I had moved from there to Texas in 2020.

  • Tracey

    This collection agency has contacted my son from a different state, and I called them and they have been threatening my livelihood. I told them with rising inflation I am broke. They just didn’t care, he goes that’s not my problem. Can I sue this place for contacting my son?

  • Dee M

    A hospital collection agency has contacted me through text about both sons who are adults in regard to hospital bills. One son was wrongly billed, it was supposed to be paid by the employer but the collection agency is texting me, Mom, son is 27 fully employed and recently engaged. The other son is undergoing treatment and making payments 33 and they texted me I am Mom and son works for hubs since we have a family biz. Both are independent of us. Lastly they texted me and I havent been to the doc in about 10 years (no lectures please) recourse?

  • Crystal c

    I am have been renting from a storage company for about three years. I have never had issues with them until now. A new manager took over and has been calling my sister who is listed as a reference and has left her voicemails with my information about my debt. I pay monthly and when I’m late -within the 30 days I am permitted I always pay late fees without hesitation. I called him about the problem and he was condescending and told me he would be calling everybody on that list until I paid. When I reminded him i still had till the end of the month and that I have never missed a month he hung up on me. I’m from Texas.

  • Douglas C

    I am 66 years old and was just called by this company over an unknown matter concerning my long-deceased father with whom I have never engaged with in business or loans. It seems highly invasive that they can find my telephone number but not a death certificate.

  • Tennisha P

    GC Services keeps repeatedly calling my 85 year old grandfather after I asked them to stop because of his health. They are causing him stress & anxiety because they continue to call. Furthermore, I’m not even sure how they got his phone number to begin with!

  • Janet B

    Receiving calls regarding a credit card from 2013. They call me, my ex husband and people that I have not seen or spoke to in years stating that they will seek legal action and have a file number for me

  • Tamara

    Why is it legal for debt collectors to be calling me and my siblings during the workday about a family members’ debt where our connection is simply being related … we feel harassed and stressed. There MUST be some legal remedy, this is completely inappropriate.

  • Tiffany v

    I had a law firm contact my sister via cellular asking for me sayin I was being subpoenaed to go to court and left her a 800 number along with a 6 digit case number. When I called phone number to get a physical address they gave me a bogus address that wasnt affiliated with them it was a hotel in Pennsylvania.

  • Daniele D

    I have these collectors who keep harassing me, my husband, my mother in law, my sister in law and who knows who else. We have advised them we are identity theft victims and to cease all communication, except through the mail and they keep calling several times per day.

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