Can Debt Collectors Call on Holidays and How to Deal

Debt collectors can be relentless, but are they allowed to call on holidays? The good news is that the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits debt collectors from calling you at inconvenient times, including holidays.

However, debt collectors can still call you on holidays, but they must follow certain rules. For example, they can't call you before 8am or after 9pm local time, regardless of the day.

If you're expecting a call on a holiday, you can take steps to prepare. Knowing your rights and being prepared to respond can help you navigate the situation with confidence.

Debt collectors can't contact you at times they know are inconvenient, such as before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits debt collectors from contacting you at your job if you ask them to stop.

Debt collectors can't repeatedly contact you throughout the day, threaten you, or lie to you about the debt.

You can report debt collectors to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and your state Attorney General if you believe they're violating the law by calling outside allowed times or after you've asked them to stop.

The FDCPA doesn't specifically state which days of the week debt collectors can and can't call you, but it does say they can't communicate with you during times known to be inconvenient.

A call on Christmas Eve could be considered a violation of the FDCPA, as it's a time known to be inconvenient.

If you're getting calls from bill collectors and want to minimize interruptions, you can take steps to protect yourself.

Intriguing read: How to Sue Debt Collectors for Fdcpa Violations

You have the right to protect yourself from debt collectors, especially during the holidays. Debt collectors cannot contact you at times they know are inconvenient, such as before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

If you ask a debt collector to stop contacting you at work, they must comply. Debt collectors cannot repeatedly contact you throughout the day.

You can report debt collectors to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and your state Attorney General if you believe they're violating the law. This includes calling you outside allowed times or after you've asked them to stop calling.

Debt collectors cannot threaten you or lie to you about the debt. If you receive a call from a debt collector during the holidays, you can argue that it's a violation of the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA).

Debt collectors can't contact you at times they know are inconvenient, such as before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. They also can't contact you at your job if you ask them to stop.

You can report debt collectors to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and your state Attorney General if you believe they're violating the law by calling you outside the allowed times or after you've asked them to stop.

Broaden your view: How Do You Stop Debt Collectors from Calling

Debt collectors can contact you on Sunday, but they can't call repeatedly, and phone calls must be made at a "reasonable" time, which is generally defined as 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time.

You have the right to tell debt collectors not to contact you on Sundays if you consider it inconvenient, especially if you observe important religious practices or spend time with your family.

Debt collectors must send you a debt validation letter with details of the debt and their contact information before their first contact or within five days after first contact.

If you don't receive this letter, you can send a debt verification letter to get the details you need and avoid debt collection scams.

Validating the debt helps you verify that you really owe the debt, and sending a cease and desist letter will stop debt collectors from contacting you, but it won't make your debt disappear.

Discover more: Sample Letters to Debt Collectors

Debt collectors can still contact you during the holidays, but there are some restrictions. Debt collectors are not allowed to call repeatedly during the same day, after 9 pm local time, or before 8 am local time.

Debt collectors must also respect your request to communicate in a specific way, such as through a certain method or at a specific time. If you've asked them to stop calling you at work, they can't do it.

Debt collectors can't discuss your debt with anyone except you, unless you've given them permission to do so. They also can't call you if the debt hasn't been verified.

Here are some tips for dealing with debt collectors during the holidays: