A FOTONOVELA 

FROM THE FEDERAL 

TRADE COMMISSION

Debt Collectors

Juan Learns His Rights 

When Dealing with
The Federal Trade Commission is the nation’s consumer 

protection agency. Its mission is to protect consumers from 

fraudulent and deceptive practices. 

This fotonovela is part of the FTC’s ongoing efforts to help 

the Latino community avoid scams and stop fraud. For more 

information, visit consumer.ftc.gov/fotonovela.

Report fraud by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP or at 

ftc.gov/complaint.

ABOUT THE FTC

Debt Collectors

Juan Learns His Rights 

When Dealing with
1

Juan, I didn’t want to 

say anything, but a 

debt collector called 

my house yesterday. 

He was looking for you. 

A debt collector called? 

What did he say? 

That you took out a loan and 

haven’t paid it back. He said 

you owe a lot of money. 

He really scared me. 
2

The next day, a friend visits Juan’s mother. 

I saw this and 

remembered what you 

told me about Juan. 

Maybe you should tell him 

about this workshop.

Oh, thank you. Do 

you think Juan could 

be in trouble? They 

won’t stop calling 

here looking for him.
3

Juan’s mother gives him the flyer about 

the debt collection workshop. 

Thanks for 

watching the kids. 

This is a big help.

Juan, the debt 

collector keeps 

calling even though 

I told him you don’t 

live here. Look at this. 

You should go. Maybe 

they can help you. 

You have rights.
4

What can I do to make 

the calls stop? 

The debt collector 

said I’ll be 

arrested and 

deported if I don’t 

pay immediately!

They told my 

neighbor I owe 

money!

Juan takes his mother’s advice and goes to the workshop. 
5

Let’s learn what 

the law says...
6

The law says that debt collectors:

• can’t call you before 8 in the 

morning

• can’t call you after 9 in the 

evening

• can’t harass or insult you, ever
7
8

If you don’t pay, 

you’ll be arrested.

Debt collectors:

• can’t make up consequences about what will 

happen if you if you don’t pay

• can’t have you arrested just because 

you owe money

• can’t lie 
9

Do you know your neighbor? 

She owes money. I’m going 

to call her at work.

Debt collectors:

• can’t talk to 

anyone about 

your debt

• can’t call you 

at work if they 

know those calls 

are not allowed
10

They call me over and 

over. What can I do to 

make them stop?

You have to send them a 

letter asking them to stop 

contacting you. This won’t 

get rid of the debt, but it 

should stop the calls.

If they keep calling or you 

feel like they’re harassing 

you, report them at 

ftc.gov/complaint or by 

phone at 1-877-FTC-HELP.
11

On the other hand, don’t pay 

just because someone says 

they are going to sue you. 

You won’t be arrested for owing 

money. But a company can sue 

you if they think you owe them 

money. If you get documents 

from a court, pay attention. You 

need legal advice. 

You also have the right to 

dispute the debt. You have 

to do it in writing and the 

debt collector has to verify 

the debt and mail you the 

verification.
12

Gram, I learned a lot at the 

financial workshop. The letter I 

sent to the debt collector stopped 

the calls. Now I have to figure out 

what’s going on with this debt.
13

When you’re dealing with debt collectors, you have rights. The law says debt collectors:

YOUR RIGHTS WHEN DEALING WITH DEBT COLLECTORS

can’t call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

can’t harass you – for example, they can’t curse at you or threaten you

can’t lie to you or make up consequences for not paying your debt

can’t tell anyone else about your debt, except for your spouse and your attorney

can’t call you at work if they know your employer doesn’t allow these calls

The law also gives you the right to dispute the debt. To do that, you must send the debt 

collector a letter saying you dispute the debt or part of it. The debt collector has to 

obtain verification of the debt and mail it to you.

Learn your rights when dealing with debt collectors. Find out more information and 

tips on managing your debt at consumer.gov/debtcollection.

REPORT PROBLEMS 

WITH DEBT 

COLLECTORS 

1-877-FTC-HELP

FTC.GOV/COMPLAINT

Let me see that website. 

www.consumer.gov/debtcollection
This fotonovela is part of the Federal Trade Commission’s 

ongoing efforts to raise awareness about scams targeting 

the Latino community. The story offers information 

about dealing with debt collectors.

See all of the FTC’s fotonovelas at 

www.consumer.ftc.gov/fotonovela.

Sign up to get free scam alerts and other news at 

ftc.gov/stay-connected.

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Trade Commission at bulkorder.ftc.gov.

October 2014