# Debt collectors won’t stop calling: your rights > Debt collectors must follow federal rules. Look for the validation notice and dispute the debt in writing within 30 days; they must pause collecting until they verify it. They can’t call before 8 am or after 9 pm, harass you, lie, threaten arrest, or tell your family or boss. You can tell them in writing to stop contacting you. Report abuse to the CFPB or your state attorney general. - URL: https://explained.page/debt-collectors-calling - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=debt-collectors-calling ## Step by step 1. **Debt collectors won’t stop calling?** You have rights. Collectors have to follow federal rules, and you can make them prove the debt. 2. **Look for the validation notice.** Shortly after first contacting you, a collector must send details: who the debt is for, how much, and how to dispute it. 3. **Dispute it in writing within 30 days.** If you dispute in time, the collector has to pause collecting until it sends proof. Keep a copy and send it with tracking. 4. **Know what they can’t do.** Collectors can’t call at odd hours, harass you, lie, threaten arrest, or discuss your debt with your family or boss. 5. **You can tell them to stop contacting you.** Send it in writing. They can still tell you about a lawsuit, so keep watching your mail. Stopping calls doesn’t erase the debt. 6. **Check how old the debt is.** Very old debts may be past your state’s time limit for lawsuits. Before paying anything on an old debt, ask about it; in some states a payment can restart the clock. 7. **Report abuse.** If a collector breaks the rules, file a complaint with the CFPB or your state attorney general. Keep a log of calls and letters. 8. **Look it up the right way.** Search with your town or state in the words. Pick the official site: it usually ends in .gov. Skip ads and sites that charge for free forms. ## Checklist - Get the validation notice - Dispute in writing within 30 days - Know what collectors can’t do - Ask them in writing to stop contacting you - Check how old the debt is - Report abuse to the CFPB ## Make them prove it Shortly after first contacting you, a debt collector must send a **validation notice** showing who the debt is for, how much, and how to dispute it. If you dispute in writing within 30 days, they must pause collecting until they send verification. ## What collectors can’t do - Call before 8 am or after 9 pm, or at work if you’ve told them you can’t take calls there. - Harass you with repeated calls, use threats or lie, including threatening arrest. - Discuss your debt with your family, neighbors or boss (they may contact others only to find you). ## Stop the calls Tell them in writing to stop contacting you. They can still notify you of specific actions, like a lawsuit. It doesn’t erase the debt. ## Old debts Very old debts may be past your state’s time limit for lawsuits. In some states, a payment can restart the clock, so ask before you pay. ## If you’re sued Respond to court papers by the deadline. Ignoring a lawsuit can lead to a default judgment. ## Report abuse File a complaint with the CFPB or your state attorney general. Keep a log of calls and letters. ## Common questions ### Do these rules apply to the original lender? The main federal debt collection law mostly covers third-party collectors and debt buyers, not the original lender. Some states have rules that cover original lenders too. Source page: https://explained.page/debt-collectors-calling/questions/do-these-rules-apply-to-the-original-lender ### How long does a debt stay on my credit report? Most negative items stay up to 7 years from when the account first went delinquent. Source page: https://explained.page/debt-collectors-calling/questions/how-long-does-a-debt-stay-on-my-credit-report ### How do I stop debt collectors from calling me? Send the collector a letter telling them to stop contacting you, and keep a copy. They can still contact you to confirm they’ll stop or to tell you about specific actions like a lawsuit. Source page: https://explained.page/debt-collectors-calling/questions/how-do-i-stop-debt-collectors-from-calling-me ### What is a debt validation letter? The notice a collector must send after first contacting you, showing who the debt is for, how much, and how to dispute it. Disputing in writing within 30 days makes them verify the debt before collecting more. Source page: https://explained.page/debt-collectors-calling/questions/what-is-a-debt-validation-letter ### Can a debt collector call me at work? Not if you tell them your employer doesn’t allow it. Say so, and put it in writing. Source page: https://explained.page/debt-collectors-calling/questions/can-a-debt-collector-call-me-at-work ### Can debt collectors take money from my bank account? Not on their own. They usually need to sue you and win a court judgment first. Some money, like Social Security benefits, has extra protection. Source page: https://explained.page/debt-collectors-calling/questions/can-debt-collectors-take-money-from-my-bank-account ### Should I pay a debt I don’t recognize? No. Dispute it in writing and ask for proof. Paying an unknown debt may help a scammer or restart the clock on an old one. Source page: https://explained.page/debt-collectors-calling/questions/should-i-pay-a-debt-i-dont-recognize ### Where do I report a debt collector? To the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and your state attorney general. Include dates, call logs and copies of letters. Source page: https://explained.page/debt-collectors-calling/questions/where-do-i-report-a-debt-collector ## Official sources - [CFPB: debt collection](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/) - [FTC consumer advice: debt collection](https://consumer.ftc.gov/) - [AnnualCreditReport.com: free credit reports](https://www.annualcreditreport.com/) To find your local office, search for: - "CFPB debt collection sample letters" - "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.