Can Debt Collectors Call You on Sunday?

Consumers are protected from unfair debt collection practices by the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, or FDCPA. This act, passed in 1978, applies to third-party debt collectors, not your original creditors. Some states have passed laws that make the rules applicable to original creditors as well. The FDCPA forbids creditors from contacting you at inconvenient times (such as ​before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m​.) or places (your workplace if you're not allowed to take calls), but doesn't restrict what days you can be called.

The FDCPA provides specific guidelines that debt collectors must adhere when collecting debts. While debt collection calls can be made on Sunday without violating the guideline. However, it is illegal for a debt collector to call on Sunday when the debtor has made it clear that they do not want to receive collection calls on Sunday. To protect yourself, you need to simply inform the debtor collector that Sundays are off-limits when it comes to receiving debt collection calls.

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Debt collectors can't call ​before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.​ unless you've given them permission to do so. They also can't talk about your debt to other people who answer the phone, although they can ask about your address, your home number and where you work.

Debt collectors also can't call repeatedly; ​once or twice​ per day is reasonable. They are also required to follow up their initial phone contact within ​five days​ with a letter explaining the reason for the phone call. The rules exist to protect debtors from harassment and ensure debt collectors operate within the law.

Debt collectors can't call you if they know you're being represented by an attorney and they have the attorney's contact information. If this is the case, let them know by phone or in writing. Debt collectors also have to honor any written requests to stop collections calls.

You can also request to have the debt validated; you have to make the request within ​30 days​ of the initial letter sent by the creditor and then the debt collector has to furnish you with proof the debt is valid. All written communication with a debt collector should be sent via certified mail with a return receipt.

The FDCPA forbids debt collectors from using obscene or abusive language, threatening you or calling you without identifying themselves. They can't say they're an attorney unless they actually are an attorney. They also can't imply that not paying your debt will result in your being arrested or having your wages garnished and they can't say you're going to be sued unless you're actually going to be sued. Such contact amounts to harassment and gives you a right to sue for the violation.

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If you have past debts and debt collectors are on your case calling even in unconvincing times, you need to consult with the FDCPA attorney. The attorney will determine if any laws are being violated and if the debt collectors have violated your constitutional or consumer rights. If any FDCPA law is violated, or your constitutional rights violated, your attorney can help file a lawsuit against the liable party. The court will hear the case and determine either issuing an injunction and if losses have occurred, you can receive damages for violation of your rights.

In most cases, the debt collector can be ordered to pay you damages of up to ​$1,000​ plus attorney's fees and court costs. You can also report the debt collector to your state attorney general's office or the Federal Trade Commission. Calling on a Sunday isn't a FDCPA violation, though, unless you've written to the collector and asked him to stop calling you.