Can Debt Collectors Call on Sunday? Your Rights Explained
Bill collectors are legally allowed to call you on Sundays during reasonable hours (8 a.m. to 9 p.m.). However, if you tell them not to call you on Sundays, they must stop. Continuing to call is a violation of the FDCPA, and you can report the collector to several state and federal agencies.
Get a Payment PlanGetting collection calls on a Sunday? You’re not alone. Many people wonder whether debt collectors are allowed to call on Sundays. More importantly, you want to know how to make them stop.
In this article, you’ll learn:
Stop Collection Calls With a Real Payment Plan
Tired of Sunday collection calls disrupting your family time? Cambridge Credit Counseling can help you create a structured payment plan with lower interest rates so collectors stop calling.
Reduce Your Payments- When debt collectors can legally call you
- How to stop collection calls if they’re bothering you
- What to do if a debt collector keeps calling after you’ve told them to stop
- Your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
When Can Debt Collectors Call?
Debt collectors can only call between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. local time. They cannot call outside these hours unless they know it’s convenient for you.
If you work nights or have scheduling conflicts, you can tell them not to call at certain times. They must respect your request.
While debt collectors can legally contact you during these hours, they can’t harass you. Excessive calls designed to annoy or pressure you are illegal under federal law.
Can Debt Collectors Call on Sundays?
Yes, debt collectors can contact you on Sunday.
They can’t call repeatedly on any day, including Sunday. Phone calls must be made at a “reasonable” time, generally defined as 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time.
Debt collectors also can’t call you at times they know are inconvenient. For example, if you work nights and must sleep during the day, they cannot call then.
You have the right to tell debt collectors not to contact you on Sundays. Many people observe religious practices on Sunday or spend time with family. To effectively stop Sunday phone calls, send a cease and desist letter.
How To Stop Collection Calls
If you’re tired of collection calls, you have the right to tell debt collectors to stop contacting you. One of the most effective ways is by sending a cease and desist letter.
A cease and desist letter is a written notice telling them to stop contacting you about a debt. The letter can stop collection calls, text messages, and other unwanted contact.
You don’t have to be a lawyer to send one. Though you can tell a debt collector to stop contacting you via phone, sending a letter provides important documentation and proof.
Send the letter via certified mail so you can prove the debt collector received it. Before you send this letter, make sure the debt is valid if you haven’t already.
What’s a Debt Validation Letter?
The debt collector should send you a debt validation letter with details of the debt. They’re required to do this before their first contact with you or within five days after first contact.
If they don’t send this letter or you think something is off, send the debt collector a debt verification letter to get the details you need.
Verifying the debt helps you avoid debt collection scams. It confirms that you really owe the debt. If you do owe it, sending a cease and desist letter will stop debt collectors from contacting you. But it won’t make your debt disappear.
You’ll need to make a plan to deal with the debt. Our partner Cambridge Credit Counseling can help you create a payment plan with lower interest rates.
If the debt isn’t yours or you don’t believe you owe it, you can send a dispute letter.
What Happens If a Debt Collector Keeps Calling After You Told Them to Stop?
If you’ve explicitly told a debt collection agency not to call you on Sundays, but they continue calling, this is a violation of the FDCPA. You can submit a complaint to federal agencies that enforce the FDCPA or pursue legal action.
Where Do You Report Violations of the FDCPA?
You can and should take action if debt collectors are harassing you. Remember that the FDCPA gives you rights. To help assert those rights, document your interactions with debt collection agencies.
Keep a written log of what has been said, when they’re calling, and what efforts you’ve made to negotiate.
If you believe a collection agency has broken the law, you can file a consumer complaint online via the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB works with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce federal debt collection laws.
You can also file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and your state attorney general’s office.
Can You Sue Debt Collectors for FDCPA Violations?
Yes. If a debt collector violates the FDCPA, you can sue them for damages. Bringing legal action against a collection agency won’t make your debt disappear if you owe it.
But it can help you win damages. It may also provide some bargaining power to negotiate a debt settlement.
Know Your Rights When It Comes to Debt Collection Agencies
Telling a debt collector to stop contacting you is just one of many rights you have. The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects consumers from debt collector harassment.
If you have unpaid debts that have been sent to collections, you’ve probably noticed debt collectors can be relentless. The FDCPA prohibits collection agencies and debt collectors from abusing, harassing, and misleading consumers during the debt collection process.
What Types of Debt Are Covered Under the FDCPA?
The FDCPA applies to consumer debts such as credit card debt, medical bills, payday loans, and student loans.
The FDCPA only applies to third-party debt collectors, not the original creditor. That means the bank or financial institution that originally lent you the money isn’t subject to the FDCPA’s restrictions in most cases.
What Does the FDCPA Prevent Debt Collectors From Doing?
Debt collectors can now legally reach you at home, by mail, on your cellphone, and even through social media. But no matter how they contact you, they must follow the law.
The FDCPA aims to prevent debt collection agencies from harassing you or treating you unfairly. Here are a few things debt collectors cannot do:
- Verbally abuse you, use profane language, or threaten you
- Show up at your place of work or call you at work if you’ve told them not to
- Discuss your debt with any third party, including friends, family, or your employer (though they may ask for your contact information from a third party)
Common Questions About Debt Collection Calls
How Many Times Can a Debt Collector Call You?
Debt collectors can’t call excessively or harass you. Federal law (the FDCPA) limits them to:
- No more than 7 calls in 7 days
- No calls for 7 days after speaking with you about a debt
Even if they follow these limits, repeated calls meant to annoy or pressure you may still be illegal.
Can Debt Collectors Call You at Work?
Yes, but only if your employer allows personal calls. If you tell them not to call you at work, they must stop.
Can Debt Collectors Text You?
Yes, but they must give you a clear opt-out option. You can ask them to stop texting you just like with phone calls.
If I Stop Hearing From Debt Collectors, Does That Mean My Debt Is Gone?
Probably not.
If you send a cease and desist letter and the debt collector follows the law, they will stop contacting you. But that doesn’t mean they’ll stop their collection activities. In fact, they may decide to sue you as a last resort.
If they sue you and win, they can get a court order to collect the debt via other means. If a debt collector sues you and wins a judgment, they may have access to wage garnishment or a bank account levy until repayment of the debt is complete.