Learn more at consumerfinance.gov. 1 of 2 Consumer Financial

Protection Bureau

Know your rights when a 

debt collector calls

When a debt collector calls, your 

best response is to confront the 

situation head-on. 

Your first instinct may be to hide or ignore the 

situation and hope it goes away. But that can make 

things worse. 

First, be sure the debt collector 

and the debt are legitimate.

Find out: 

§ Who you’re talking to (get the person’s name)

§ The name of the debt collection company

§ The company’s address and phone number

§ The name of the creditor

Ask the debt collector for: 

§ The amount owed

§ The name of the creditor

§ How you can dispute the debt or verify the 

debt is yours 

If the debt collector doesn’t tell you this 

information the first time it contacts you, ask for the 

information in writing. It is a good idea to get this 

written notice before you agree to pay the debt 

collector or try to negotiate. 

Harassment is illegal

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act says 

debt collectors can’t harass, oppress, or 

abuse you or anyone else they contact.

For example, debt collectors can’t: 

§ Make repeated phone calls that are 

intended to annoy, abuse, or harass you 

or any person answering the phone.

§ Use obscene or profane language.

§ Make threats of violence or harm.

§ Publish lists of people who refuse to 

pay their debts (this does not include 

reporting information to a credit 

reporting company).

§ Call you without telling you who they are.

If you believe a debt collector is harassing 

you, you can submit a complaint with 

the CFPB.
Learn more at consumerfinance.gov. 2 of 2 Consumer Financial

Protection Bureau

Second, identify the debt

If you recognize the debt

You can contact the debt collector and work out a 

repayment plan that makes sense for you.

If the debt is several years old

Before making a payment or agreeing to a payment 

plan for a debt that is old, find out what your state’s 

statute of limitations is for filing a lawsuit to collect 

the debt. You may want to consult an attorney or 

the applicable law in your state. 

If you’re not sure the debt is yours

Write and ask for formal written verification of the 

debt, including: 

§ The name and address of the original creditor (if 

different than the current creditor)

§ How much you owe

§ Proof the debt is yours

If the debt is not yours 

Write the debt collector to tell it the debt is not 

yours and that you do not want to be contacted 

about it again. 

Third, keep your letters

Keep the letters you receive and make copies of the 

letters you send in case you need to dispute the 

issue later.

CFPB answers and sample letters

More information about your debt collection rights 

are available at www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb.

You can also access sample letters at 

www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/debtcollection.

Submit a complaint

If you have a credit reporting problem, you 

can submit a complaint:

 Online

consumerfinance.gov/complaint

 By phone

Toll free: (855) 411-CFPB (2372) 

TTY/TDD : (855) 729-CFPB (2372)

 By mail

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

P.O. Box 4503

Iowa City, Iowa 52244

We’ll forward your complaint to the 

company and work to get a response from 

them. You will receive email updates along 

the way and can track the status of your 

complaint online.