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Money

Debt collectors: your rights

A debt collector has to tell you who you owe, how much, and how to dispute it. You have 30 days to dispute in writing, there are limits on when they can contact you, and you can tell them to stop.

Moderate20 min to doFree

You'll need

  • The collector's letters or messages
  • A notebook to log every call: date, time, name, what was said

Do it like this

  1. Get the validation information. A collector has to give it to you when they first contact you or within five days, including the creditor's name and how much you owe (FTC).
  2. If it isn't your debt, or the amount is wrong, send a dispute letter within 30 days. The collector then has to stop collecting until it sends you written verification (FTC).
  3. Know the limits. Collectors can't call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. unless you agree, and can't contact you at work if you tell them you can't take calls there (FTC).
  4. To stop contact, send a letter. After that, the collector can generally only contact you to confirm they'll stop, or to tell you about a specific action, like a lawsuit.
  5. Keep copies, and report problems to the CFPB or the FTC.
Watch out. Stopping contact doesn't make a real debt go away. If you get court papers, respond by the date in them, or you could lose by default (FTC).

See it done

Debt Collection: Know Your RightsFederal Trade Commission · Length 1:24 · 2017

Video blocked on this network? You don't need it. The written steps above are the whole lesson, and the video is extra. Watch it on YouTube later.

If it doesn't work

  • If you miss the 30-day window, you can still dispute, but the collector will assume the debt is valid until you do (FTC).
  • If a collector threatens you or lies, write down exactly what was said and when, and report it.
  • If you're sued and can't afford a lawyer, contact a legal aid office. See Getting free legal help.

Good to know

Don't share info too soon

Don't give personal or financial information until you've gotten validation information or already know the collector (FTC).

Old debts

Collectors have a limited time to sue you, called the statute of limitations. It varies by state (FTC).

Sample letters

The CFPB's debt collection page has sample letters for disputing and for stopping contact.

Sources

  1. Federal Trade Commission Debt collection FAQs
  2. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Debt collection
  3. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau How do I dispute an error on my credit report?

Lesson M5.4 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed. See a mistake?