Can Debt Collectors Call on Holidays?

When you’re in debt, getting calls from debt collectors is an unwelcome but common occurrence. But can debt collectors call on holidays? Unfortunately, there are no regulations that specifically make debt collection calls on holidays illegal, but there are regulations that prohibit debt collectors from contacting consumers at unusual or inconvenient times.

Find out more about the answer to this common question, and learn what you can do to take care of your debt for good.

In This Piece

• Can Debt Collectors Call on Holidays?
• Can a Debt Collector Call on Sundays?
• What Hours Can a Debt Collector Call?
• How Many Times in a Day Can a Debt Collector Call?
• Can a Debt Collector Contact You on Social Media?
• Can You Tell a Debt Collector to Stop Calling?
• What Happens If You Ignore Debt Collectors?
• How Can You Keep Debt Collectors from Interfering with the Holidays?

Can Debt Collectors Call on Holidays?

While technically there are no specific prohibitions on debt collectors calling on holidays, it may fall into a category that’s not allowed by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). According to the FDCPA, a debt collector may not communicate with a consumer “at any unusual time or place or a time or place known or which should be known to be inconvenient to the consumer.”

Because many holidays are public knowledge, you can generally expect that debt collectors won’t call at these times. However, it’s important to note that not all localities, states, or countries acknowledge the same holidays. It’s less likely for debt collectors to call on “major holidays,” such as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, than on “smaller holidays” such as Ash Wednesday or Rosh Hashanah.

Tip: If everyone is already gathered in one place and you’re worried about debt collectors calling and ruining the mood, consider putting your phone on silent or do not disturb so you can enjoy the festivities uninterrupted.

Can a Debt Collector Call on Sundays?

There are no specifics in the FDCPA that stop a debt collector from calling on Sundays. It’s not necessarily considered an unusual day or a known inconvenience. If you want to keep debt collectors from calling you on Sundays or Shabbat, you must tell them that it is an inconvenient time for you.

What Hours Can a Debt Collector Call?

According to the FDCPA, debt collectors can only call between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. These times are also determined by your local time and not where the debt collector is located.

How Many Times in a Day Can a Debt Collector Call?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act doesn’t specify a certain number of times a debt collector can call in a day. However, it does say that a debt collector can’t call repeatedly or continuously with an intent to harass you.

Can a Debt Collector Contact You on Social Media?

Debt collectors are allowed to contact you on social media. However, they are only allowed to message you directly on a platform and are not allowed to post any comments or put messages where anyone else can see them.

Tip: You can tighten your privacy settings on most social media platforms so that only people you’re friends with can send you direct messages. This can help you cut down or eliminate messages from debt collectors.

Can You Tell a Debt Collector to Stop Calling?

If you don’t want a debt collector to call on holidays or you’re getting calls at unreasonable hours, you can send a letter requesting that they stop. Creditors must cease contacting you by phone once you make the request, but that doesn’t mean you don’t still owe the debt. They can continue to take other actions to collect it, and they can contact you to let you know that they will be taking legal action.

What Happens If You Ignore Debt Collectors?

You might be thinking of ignoring calls from debt collectors but worry about the consequences. When you ignore these calls, in some cases, nothing will happen. The creditor might stop reaching out.

But that’s not always the case. You could face negative consequences for ignoring these calls.

If the debt is yours and you continue to ignore debt collections, you might face wage garnishment or a lawsuit. Your credit score and credit report can also take a hit. Though you shouldn’t have to take calls at unreasonable times or on holidays. If you owe a debt, you may want to work with the collection company and consider how you can pay it to avoid other negative consequences.

How Can You Keep Debt Collectors from Interfering with Holidays?

If you’re getting calls from bill collectors and are worried about the possibility of them calling on holidays, here are some steps you can take

Ask Them to Stop

Consumers have rights, which are outlined by the FDCPA. One of them is that a debt collector must stop contacting you after you send a letter requesting them to do so. You’ll still be responsible for any debt you owe, but they must follow your request and stop reaching out by phone.

This needs to be done in writing—not by phone. Consider keeping a copy of the letter that you send for your records. You may also want to send the letter by certified mail so you know when the debt collector received it.

Work Out a Payment Plan

If you want to lessen your financial stress and don’t want the collector to take further action, consider negotiating a repayment plan with your creditor. If you do this, make sure everything is outlined in writing.

If the debt hasn’t gone to collections yet, the creditor may be willing to work with you. In some cases, creditors might waive fees, lower the total amount due, or lower the interest rate if it means they can collect some of the debt from you.

Note: While getting on a repayment plan can stop debt collection calls, it may not have any positive effect on your credit until the debt collector marks the debt as current or paid.

Consult an Attorney

If a debt collector continues to call after you requested they stop or if you don’t owe the debt, consider contacting an attorney. They can advise you of your rights and any next steps you might want to take.

Help Is Available

No one wants to be harassed by creditors—and no one should be. Remember that regulations are in place to protect consumers like you. Don’t be afraid to reach out to collectors to ask them to stop calling if it’s interfering with your happiness or day-to-day affairs.

If you have unpaid debt and want to improve your credit situation, ExtraCredit® can give you the tools to help you make positive changes. The service lets you track your credit scores and offers a discount on credit repair services from one of the leaders in credit repair if that’s something you decide to pursue. If you think debt collectors are calling due to errors on your credit report, a credit repair service could help.

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