We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Finance

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Constitutes Collection Harassment?

Nicole Madison
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,242
Share

Unfortunately, some collections agents use harassment techniques to collect debts. Some forms of collection harassment include calling a debtor before 8 AM or after 9 PM. Threatening a debtor or using lies to induce him to pay also counts as harassment. Likewise, discussing a person’s debts with his boss, friends, or coworkers is considered harassment as well. Additionally, a collection agent is harassing a debtor if he calls him repeatedly in a short period of time or calls him at work despite an employer’s rule against employee phone calls.

Calling a debtor very early in the morning or very late at night is one type of collection harassment. In many jurisdictions, collection agents are not allowed to contact debtors by phone prior to 8 AM or after 9 PM. Calling a debtor's home between 8 AM and 9 PM is usually considered reasonable. In fact, creditors and collection agents usually have the right to call between these hours, even on the weekend. If the debtor agrees to allow a collection agent to contact him in the early morning or after 9 at night, such calls are not considered harassment.

A collection representative also may be guilty of collection harassment if he threatens a debtor or makes misleading statements during a collection attempt. For example, if a collection agent tells a debtor that he will show up at his door and embarrass him in front of his neighbors unless he pays a debt, this is considered collection harassment. The same goes for making misleading statements. For instance, a common collections harassment tactic involves telling a debtor that he will go to jail unless he pays a debt. In most countries, jail time is not used as a punishment for failing to pay one’s debts.

Discussing a party’s debts with others is also considered a type of collection harassment. In most jurisdictions, collections agents do have the right to contact a debtor’s attorney to discuss a debt. A collections agent may also speak with a party’s spouse without getting into legal trouble. If he does contact other parties about a debtor, he must usually do so for the purpose of learning where a debtor lives or works. If a collections agent discusses the debt with a person who is not the debtor’s spouse or attorney, this is usually considered harassment.

Repeatedly calling a debtor may be considered collection harassment as well. For example, calling a debtor several times in one hour may be considered harassment. Likewise, a collection agent may be guilty of collection harassment if he calls a debtor at work even though he knows the debtor is not permitted to receive phone calls at his place of employment.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Nicole Madison
By Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison's love for learning inspires her work as a WiseGeek writer, where she focuses on topics like homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. Her passion for knowledge is evident in the well-researched and informative articles she authors. As a mother of four, Nicole balances work with quality family time activities such as reading, camping, and beach trips.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison's love for learning inspires her work as a WiseGeek writer, where she focuses on topics like...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-constitutes-collection-harassment.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.