Debt Collector Do's and Don'ts

This story originally aired on January 19, 2007.

Debt Collectors Can:

Contact a third party to find out where you live, what your phone number is and where you work. But they may not tell anyone else that you owe money or the amount, and they can't contact the party more than once.

Contact you by mail, telephone, telegram or fax, but only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. unless you agree to extended hours.

Related

For more information on your rights when contacted by a debt collector, go to the Web site for the Federal Trade Commission.

Debt Collectors Can't:

Use threats of violence and harm, or obscene and profane language.

Publish a list of consumers who refuse to pay their debts, except to a credit bureau.

Repeatedly call to annoy someone.

Imply they're attorneys or represent the government, or that they work for a credit bureau.

Call you at work if the collector knows your employer disapproves.