How Many Times a Day Can Creditors Call You?

Dealing with debt can be stressful, and repeated calls from creditors only add to the pressure. Are you overwhelmed by frequent calls from debt collectors? Are you wondering how many times a day they’re legally allowed to contact you? Both federal and Georgia state laws protect consumers from creditor harassment. They laws ensure that debt collection practices remain fair and respectful.

How often can creditors call, what constitutes creditor harassment, and what can you do to protect yourself?

How Often Can Creditors Call?

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), a federal law, there is no specific limit on the number of times a creditor can call you each day. However, the FDCPA does set clear guidelines on what constitutes harassment. Calls made repeatedly or at odd hours with the intent to annoy, abuse, or harass you are illegal. This means that even if a creditor calls you multiple times in one day, the court might consider it harassment if the intent was to pressure you excessively.

In Georgia, similar protections exist under state law. While the state does not impose a specific limit on the number of calls, Georgia law aligns with the FDCPA in prohibiting abusive and harassing behavior by creditors.

If you believe a creditor is calling excessively, it’s important to document the frequency and nature of the calls, as this information can be used to support a claim of harassment.

What is Creditor Harassment?

Creditor harassment refers to any behavior by a debt collector that intimidates, pressures, or abuses you into paying a debt. Harassment can take many forms, including:

• Frequent or repeated calls: While there’s no specific cap on daily calls, a creditor who calls you multiple times a day could be crossing the line into harassment. This is especially true if the calls are made back-to-back or during inconvenient hours.
• Threatening or abusive language: Any use of threatening, profane, or abusive language by a creditor is a clear violation of the FDCPA. You have the right to be treated with respect, regardless of your debt situation.
• Calls at inconvenient hours: Under the FDCPA, creditors are not allowed to call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. unless you have given them permission to do so. In Georgia, these time restrictions also apply.
• Misrepresentation or deception: A creditor who falsely represents themselves as law enforcement, threatens legal action they cannot take, or uses other deceptive practices is engaging in harassment.

Legal Protections for Consumers

Federal and Georgia state laws provide strong protections for consumers against creditor harassment. The FDCPA is the primary federal law that regulates debt collection practices, ensuring that creditors treat consumers fairly. Some of the key protections under the FDCPA include:

• Right to request no contact: You have the right to request that a creditor stop contacting you entirely. This request must be made in writing. Once received, the creditor can only contact you to confirm they received your request or to notify you of specific actions. For example, if they file a lawsuit you’ll receive contact.
• Right to verify the debt: If you dispute a debt, you can request that the creditor provide verification of the debt. Until the creditor provides this verification, they must cease all collection activities.
• Right to file a complaint: If you believe a creditor is violating the FDCPA, you have the right to file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Or you can take legal action against the creditor.

In Georgia, additional protections may apply under state law. Consumers have the right to pursue legal action against creditors who violate these protections.

Consult a Bankruptcy Attorney

If a creditor is harassing you, it’s important to know your rights and take steps to protect yourself. While creditors can contact you about a debt, there are clear limits on what they can do. If you believe a creditor is crossing the line, consider reaching out to a bankruptcy attorney. They can help you understand your legal options.

A qualified attorney can guide you through the process of filing a complaint. Bankruptcy stops harassing calls. It can also help you address your debts in other ways. To learn more about bankruptcy and how you can protect yourself from creditor harassment, contact R. Flay Cabiness, II, P.C. at (912) 417-5041 (Brunswick, GA); (912) 809-2141 (Hazlehurst, GA) or; (912) 324-3176 (Jesup, GA) to schedule a consultation.