- Collectors generally cannot call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., and must follow your request to avoid certain times or places, such as work.
- The Debt Collection Rule presumes a violation after more than seven calls in seven days about a debt, or any call within seven days after a phone conversation about it.
- Dispute in writing within 30 days of the validation notice and the collector must pause collection until it provides verification.
- A written stop request ends contact in any channel, but it does not erase the debt. The collector can still sue.
First contact: ask before you answer
The CFPB says collectors generally must give you validation information during the first contact or within five days. That includes the creditor’s name, the amount you owe and how to dispute the debt. If they cannot or will not, the CFPB warns it could be a scam, and advises never giving sensitive financial information to the caller until you have confirmed they are legitimate.
You can ask for evidence that you are the right person and for how the amount was calculated. Ignoring a valid debt usually does not make it go away, and the collector may turn to other options, including a lawsuit.
The 30-day dispute window
If you do not believe you owe the debt, you have 30 days to dispute all or part of it. The CFPB says that once you dispute within 30 days of receiving a validation notice, the collector has to stop collecting until it sends verification. Send the dispute in writing, by certified mail with a return receipt, so you have proof of delivery. The CFPB offers sample letters for disputing the debt and requesting more information.
Be careful what you say on calls. Collectors keep records, and a statement such as an apology or an admission that you owe the money can be used later.
When and how often they can call
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Time of day | Generally no calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. |
| Times or places you name | If you tell a collector you do not want calls at a certain time or place, such as on weekends or at work, they must follow that. If they know you are not allowed to take personal calls at work, they cannot contact you there. |
| Harassing calls | The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act bars repeated or continuous calls meant to annoy, abuse or harass. |
| Presumption 1 | More than seven calls within a seven-day period about a particular debt. |
| Presumption 2 | Any call within seven days after a phone conversation with you about that debt. |
Two details from the CFPB page matter. Voicemails the collector leaves count as placed calls. The seven-call figure is a presumption, so other call patterns can also be violations: seven calls made on the same day could still count, and your consent to more frequent calls may be an exception. These presumptions cover phone calls only. Texts, emails, in-person visits and social media messages have other protections. The CFPB also says the limits generally apply per debt, but for student loans multiple debts may be counted together as one; see federal versus private student loans.
How to make them stop
You can tell a collector to stop contacting you. The CFPB says to do it by letter. Once the collector receives a written request covering all contact, it must stop, whatever the channel: phone, mail, email or text. After that it may only tell you there will be no further contact, or say that it may take other legal actions, such as filing a lawsuit.
The CFPB says stopping contact does not erase what you owe. The collector can still sue or report the debt to a credit reporting company. If you owe the money, consider a dispute or a payment arrangement alongside the stop request.
If a collector keeps contacting you after a written stop request, the CFPB says that is likely a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and that you can sue. If you win, the collector generally must pay your attorney’s fees and may owe damages.
Keep records
Keep copies of every letter you send and notes on each call, including the date, the time and the name of the person you spoke with. Your state may add protections of its own, and the state attorney general’s office can tell you more. For a problem with a collector, you can submit a complaint to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint or call (855) 411-2372.
Frequently asked questions
What time can a debt collector call me?
Generally not before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. You can also tell a collector not to call at certain times or places, such as work, and they must follow that.
How many times can a debt collector call in a week?
The Debt Collection Rule presumes a violation if a collector calls about a particular debt more than seven times in seven days, or within seven days after talking with you about it. Voicemails count as calls. It is a presumption, so fewer calls can still be a violation if they are meant to harass.
How do I stop a debt collector from contacting me?
Send a letter saying so, by certified mail with a return receipt. After the collector receives it, it must stop contact in every channel and may only confirm there will be no further contact or say it may take legal action.
Does a stop letter get rid of the debt?
No. The CFPB says the debt remains, and the collector may sue or report it to a credit reporting company.
How long do I have to dispute a debt?
The CFPB says you have 30 days after you are contacted to dispute the debt in writing. If you dispute within 30 days of getting the validation notice, the collector must pause collection until it provides verification. You can still ask for information after 30 days.
Sources
- CFPB: What should I do when a debt collector contacts me? (last reviewed October 15, 2026)
- CFPB: When and how often can a debt collector call me on the phone? (last reviewed December 9, 2024)
- CFPB: How do I get a debt collector to stop contacting me? (last reviewed May 14, 2024)
Each source was opened and read on October 26, 2026. See how we verify.