How many times can a debt collector call before it's harassment?

The FDCPA prohibits debt collector from engaging in conduct that has the natural consequence of harassing, oppressing, or abusing you. The Act recognizes that making your phone ring repeatedly or continuously in order to annoy, harass, or abuse you to be a violation of this prohibition. This conduct is also prohibited by the debt collection statutes of many states. But the law does not put a number on “repeatedly or continuously.”

Is there a limit to how many times a creditor can call?

No bright line exists between a permissible and impermissible number of calls. However, the FDCPA does provide you with a way to draw that line. However, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the governmental agency responsible for enforcing the FDCPA, defines the terms “continuously” and “repeatedly” in its regulations. In the FTC regulations, “repeatedly” is defined as “calling with excessive frequency under the circumstances,” and “continuously” means “a series of collection calls, one right after another.”

When Can a Debt Collector Call You? Early Morning or Late?

Under the law, debt collectors can only call between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. your time. But time of day isn’t the only restriction—and some of the others you’ll want to know

debt collector calling late at night

If you’re being contacted by a debt collector, you might wonder: When are they legally allowed to call me? Knowing your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) can help you protect your peace of mind and your phone line.

What Are the Permissible Call Times

The FDCPA bans debt collectors from calling you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your local time zone.
These restrictions are meant to shield you from harassment and help preserve your right to privacy in your own home.

The 8 a.m.-9 p.m. rule applies to your time zone, not the debt collector’s.

Example:

You live in California, where it’s 6:00 a.m. A debt collector based in New York calls you at that time because it’s already 9:00 a.m. on the East Coast.
Even though it’s within legal hours in their time zone, it’s still a violation of federal law, which protects your time zone.

What About Inconvenient Times or Places?

The FDCPA also prohibits collectors from contacting you at a time or place they know is inconvenient, even if it’s between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.

For example:

If you ask not to be contacted on weekends, they must comply.
If you’ve told them not to call you at work or if they know your workplace prohibits personal calls; they’re not allowed to contact you there.

These protections give you more control over when and how you’re contacted. Collectors must honor your request unless you give clear written consent to do otherwise.

Are There Exceptions?

Yes, but only if you provide written permission to be contacted outside the usual time window. That permission must be:

Clear, and
In writing

Without written consent, they must stick to the 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. window in your time zone.

@lemberglaw When is it #illegal for a #debtcollector or #debtcollectionagency to call you? 📞☀🌑 #lawyer #lawsuit ♬ original sound – Lemberg Law

Other Call-Related Protections Under the FDCPA

Even when collectors stay within the legal calling hours, they can still cross the line. The FDCPA prohibits:

Repeated or excessive calls intended to annoy or harass you
Contacting you at work after you’ve asked them not to
Calling family, friends, or employers about your debt (except under narrow circumstances)

How Can I Stop the Calls?

You have the right to tell a debt collector to stop contacting you. The most effective way to do this is in writing.

What to include in your letter:

Your full name and mailing address
The name of the debt collector
A clear statement: “I am requesting that you cease all communication with me.”

Once the collector receives your written request, they may only contact you again to:

Confirm they won’t contact you again, or
Inform you of legal action they plan to take (such as a lawsuit)

If they continue to contact you for any other reason or call you at illegal hours or inconvenient times—they may be violating federal law.

And that means you may be entitled to compensation under the FDCPA.

Get a Free Case Evaluation

At Lemberg Law, we’ve helped thousands of consumers take action against debt collectors who ignored the law.
If you’re still receiving calls after sending a written request or if a collector contacted you outside the legal time window, we want to hear your story.

You don’t pay unless we win. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Reference: CFPB

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