Money · Debt

Debt collectors: your rights

Within five days of first contacting you, a debt collector must send validation information: who they are, who you owe, the exact amount, and how to dispute. Don't give out bank or personal details before you have it. Dispute in writing within 30 days and they must stop collecting until they send proof. They can't call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., more than seven times in seven days, threaten arrest, or tell others you owe. A written letter makes them stop contacting you, but never ignore court papers.

Moderate20 min to doFree, plus postage for certified mailChecked October 2, 2026

You'll need

The collector's letters, texts or emails
A notebook or phone note to log every contact: date, time, name, what was said
Your own records of the debt: old bills, statements, payment receipts

Do it like this

Don't pay or share anything yet. A collector must give you validation information when they first contact you or within five days. To avoid debt collection scammers, don't share personal or financial information until you have it, or already know the collector. Source: FTC¹ If a collector won't or can't give you this information, it could be a scam. Source: CFPB⁴
Read the validation notice. It must include the collector's name and mailing address, the creditor's name, how much you owe broken out into interest, fees, payments and credits, what to do if you don't think it's your debt, and your rights. Source: FTC¹ It often comes with a tear-off form with checkboxes to dispute or ask for more information. Source: CFPB³
Check it against your records. Is it yours? Is the amount right? Collectors can't add interest or fees unless your original contract or a law allows it. Source: FTC¹
Dispute in writing within 30 days if anything's wrong. Say you don't owe some or all of it, and ask for verification. The collector must stop collecting until it sends you written verification, like a copy of the original bill. Send it certified mail with a return receipt and keep a copy. If you don't dispute within 30 days, the collector will assume the debt is valid. Source: FTC¹ If you're disputing, do it right away, even before telling them to stop contacting you. Source: CFPB³
Know when they can contact you. Not before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. unless you agree; not at work if you say you can't take calls there; no more than seven calls in seven days; and no more emails, texts or private social media messages if you ask them to stop. Source: FTC¹
Stop contact if you want to. Mail a letter saying so. After that, they can only contact you to confirm they'll stop, or to tell you about a specific action, like a lawsuit. Source: FTC¹ But the FTC suggests talking with the collector at least once, especially if you don't think you owe it or can't pay right away, to confirm whether it's yours. Source: FTC¹
If you owe more than one debt to the same collector, you choose which one each payment goes to. A collector must apply your payment to the debt you choose. Source: FTC¹ And a collector can't deposit a post-dated check early. Source: FTC¹
Log everything. Write down dates, times and what was said, and keep copies of letters. Be careful what you say: collectors keep records too, and an apology or admitting you owe can be used against you. Source: CFPB³

Watch out Stopping contact doesn't make a real debt go away. The collector can still sue you or report it to the credit bureaus. Source: CFPB³ If you're sued, respond by the date in the court papers. Ignoring a lawsuit can lead to a court order, called a garnishment, that takes money from your paycheck or bank account. Source: FTC¹

What collectors can't do

Threaten to hurt you, or use obscene or profane language. Source: FTC¹
Lie about how much you owe. Source: FTC¹
Pretend to be a lawyer or from the government. Source: FTC¹
Say you'll be arrested, or threaten legal action they don't intend to take. Source: FTC¹
Tell anyone but you or your spouse that you owe a debt. They can contact others only to find your address, phone number or workplace, usually just once. Source: FTC¹
Reveal your debt publicly, like on a postcard or the outside of an envelope. Source: FTC¹
Report the debt to a credit bureau before contacting you about it by phone, in person, by letter or electronically. Source: FTC¹

Sample dispute letter

[Date] [Collector name and address]. Re: account or reference number [number]. I received your notice dated [date] about a debt you say I owe to [creditor]. I dispute this debt. [I do not owe it. / The amount is wrong.] Please send me verification of the debt, including a copy of the original bill and how you calculated the amount. Until you do, please stop collection. [Your name and mailing address]

Old debts

From the FTC. Source: FTC¹

Question	Answer
How long can they sue?	Until the statute of limitations runs out. It depends on the kind of debt and your state's law, and usually starts when you miss a payment.
Can paying restart the clock?	In some states, making a payment or even admitting in writing that you owe it starts a new period.
Can they sue on a time-barred debt?	No, it's illegal. If they do, tell the judge the statute of limitations has run out, and bring proof of your last payment date.
Can they still contact me about it?	It depends on your state. Either way, they can't sue or threaten you over it.

See it done

Video by FTCvideos Government

Debt Collection: Know Your Rights

Watch on YouTube: Debt Collection: Know Your Rights | Federal Trade Commission

Full title on YouTube: “Debt Collection: Know Your Rights | Federal Trade Commission”2017 · Checked October 3, 2026

Heads up: this is from 2017. Your rights are the same, but newer rules came later, like the limit of seven calls in seven days and what a validation notice has to say. Those are in the steps.

Video won't load at school or work? No problem. Everything you need is in the steps; the video's just a bonus. Watch it on YouTube later.

If it doesn't work

Missed the 30 days? You can still ask for information and dispute. Source: CFPB⁴ The collector will just assume the debt is valid until you do. Source: FTC¹
Collector broke the rules? Report it to your state attorney general, the FTC and the CFPB. Many states have their own debt collection laws. Source: FTC¹
You can also sue a collector that broke the law, within one year. Even without proving damages, a judge can award up to $1,000 plus attorney's fees and court costs. You may still owe the debt. Source: FTC¹
If you're sued and can't afford a lawyer, contact legal aid. See Getting free legal help.

Good to know

The details, if you want them. Tap a line to open it.

Which debts are covered

The federal law, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, covers credit cards, car loans, medical bills, student loans, mortgages and other household debts, but not business debts. Source: FTC¹

Protected benefits

Many federal benefits, including Social Security, SSI, veterans benefits and federal student aid, are generally exempt from garnishment, with exceptions for taxes, support and student loans. Source: FTC¹

Sample letters

The CFPB's debt collection page has sample letters for disputing, asking for more information, stopping contact and setting how they can reach you. Source: CFPB⁴

Take it with you

Printable card Download card (PDF)

Sources

Federal Trade Commission Debt collection FAQs
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Debt collection
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau How do I get a debt collector to stop contacting me?
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau What should I do when a debt collector contacts me?

Lesson M5.4 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed.

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