If a debt collector is calling you early in the morning or late at night, you may be wondering:
- Is that legal?
- What are the allowed hours for debt collection calls?
- Is this an FDCPA violation?
Under federal law, there are strict time limits on when a debt collector can contact you.
What the FDCPA Says About Call Times
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits debt collectors from contacting you at:
- Before 8:00 a.m.
- After 9:00 p.m.
These time limits are based on your local time zone, not the collector’s.
Calling outside of these hours is generally considered harassment and may violate federal law.
What Counts as “Contact”?
The time restrictions apply to:
- Phone calls
- Text messages
- Voicemails
- Emails (in many contexts)
- Direct messages
If a collector calls at 7:30 a.m. or 9:30 p.m., that may violate the FDCPA.
Even leaving a voicemail outside permitted hours can qualify.
Are There Exceptions?
There are limited exceptions.
A collector may contact you outside those hours if:
- You specifically agree to it
- You previously requested those times
However, consent must be clear.
Simply answering the phone once does not mean you agreed to future late-night calls.
What About Repeated Calls During Legal Hours?
Even if calls are made between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., collectors cannot:
- Call repeatedly to harass you
- Call continuously in a short period
- Use abusive or threatening language
Harassment can violate the FDCPA regardless of time of day.
What If They Call My Workplace?
If you tell a debt collector your employer prohibits personal calls, they must stop contacting you at work.
Continuing to call your job after being told not to may also violate the FDCPA.
What Can You Recover for Illegal Call Times?
If a collector violates the FDCPA, you may be entitled to:
- Up to $1,000 in statutory damages
- Additional actual damages in some cases
- Attorney’s fees and court costs
FDCPA claims must generally be filed within one year of the violation.
What Should You Do?
If a collector calls outside legal hours:
- Take screenshots of call logs.
- Save voicemails.
- Document dates and times.
- Avoid deleting texts or messages.
- Speak with a consumer protection attorney.
The more documentation you have, the stronger your case may be.
