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What Debt Collectors Can and Cannot Do Under Federal Law

By CalculateBenefits Editorial Team · Reviewed by Mark Phaneuf, Publisher · September 2026

Federal law puts limits on many debt collectors. A collector cannot harass you, lie about a debt, or call at any hour. You also have a right to get facts about the debt and to dispute it.

These rules often cover a company that collects a debt for someone else. Rules for the first lender can differ. State law may give you more rights.

When may a debt collector call you?

A collector generally may not call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your time zone. A collector should not call you at work after you say your job does not allow those calls.

Federal rules also set a call limit. A collector is presumed to break the rule if it calls about one debt more than seven times in seven days. After you speak by phone about that debt, it should not call again for seven days. Some calls do not count, so keep your own call log.

You can tell a collector which way or place it may use to reach you. Save a copy of that request.

What must the collector tell you?

The collector must give you validation facts. It may give them in the first contact or send a notice within five days. The notice should name the creditor, show the amount, and tell you how to dispute it.

Do not rush because a caller sounds sure. Ask for the notice. Compare it with your records before you share bank or card facts.

How do you dispute a debt?

The notice gives you a 30-day validation period. If you dispute the debt in writing by the date shown, the collector must pause work on the disputed amount until it sends proof.

1. Write that you dispute all or part of the debt.
2. Say what looks wrong, if you know.
3. Ask for the name and address of the first creditor if needed.
4. Send the letter in a way you can track.
5. Keep the letter, notice, and proof of delivery.

You may still dispute a debt after 30 days, but the special pause rule may not apply. Do not ignore a court paper. A dispute letter does not stop a lawsuit deadline.

What is a collector not allowed to do?

A collector may not use threats, repeated abuse, or false facts. It cannot claim to be a police officer or lawyer when that is not true. It cannot tell friends or coworkers about your debt just to shame you.

A collector also cannot threaten an arrest for a normal unpaid bill. It may explain a real legal step that it can take, but it cannot invent one.

Can a collector take Social Security or VA pay?

Many federal benefits have strong protection from private debt. When a bank gets a garnishment order, it must often protect two months of eligible federal benefits that came by direct deposit.

Protection is not the same in every case. Child support, federal taxes, federal student loans, and other government debts can follow other rules. Money moved to another account may also be harder to trace. Get legal help before you move or spend funds because of a garnishment notice.

Can you make the contact stop?

You may send a written request that tells the collector to stop contact. After it gets the request, it may contact you to confirm that it will stop or to tell you about a real next step.

This does not erase the debt. The collector may still sue if the law allows it. If you want help making a plan, read our credit counseling guide.

What should you do after a collection call?

1. Ask for the caller's name, company, address, and notice.
2. Do not give a password or full bank number.
3. Check the debt against your own records.
4. Dispute errors in writing before the notice date.
5. Save calls, letters, texts, and voice messages.
6. Reply to any court paper by its due date.

You can file a complaint with the CFPB and your state consumer office. If a company asks for money before it will “protect” you, check our debt-relief scam guide first.