Can Debt Collectors Contact You At Work?

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), “debt collectors can call you, or send letters, emails, or text messages to collect a debt.” Put simply, these collectors have no shortage of methods through which they can and will try to reach you.

The next question you may be asking, then, is “Can they contact me at work?”

Allow us to offer you both answers and solutions:

A Question of Contact

Technically, a debt collector can contact you at work. They will no longer be able to contact you at your workplace, however, if they are made aware of restrictions against personal calls at your place of employment.

Specifically, as written in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCA), “a debt collector may not communicate with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt … at the consumer’s place of employment if the debt collector knows or has reason to know that the consumer’s employer prohibits the consumer from receiving such communication.”

Debt collectors are also unable to contact you prior to 8 a.m. and/or after 9 p.m. unless you personally agree to accept communications during these timeframes.

Learning How to Hang Up

“If your employer does not allow you to receive personal calls at work you should let the debt collector know that,” the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) explains.

Unfortunately, this does mean that you may not be able to relay this message to the debt collector unless and until they contact you at your workplace. Otherwise, if you would like to try to mitigate such communication before this occurs, you may first contact them through the traditional mail system.

“You may stop a collector from contacting you by writing a letter to the agency telling them to stop,” the Office of the Attorney General (Florida) recommends. “Once the agency receives your letter, they may not contact you again except to say there will be no further contact, or to notify you if the debt collector or the creditor intends to take some specific action.”

Diving into Solutions with Dolaghan Law

If you’ve been barraged by an onslaught of debt collectors’ notices, you doubtlessly know the stress that is inherent in trying to pull your financial head above water.

Thankfully, bankruptcy offers options not only for long-term relief but also immediate relief from debt collector harassment. This is because, regardless of whether you file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, an automatic stay will go into effect, wherein the debt collectors will be prohibited from reaching out to you during the filing process.

If you’re ready to start over with a fresh fiscal slate, it’s time to contact Dolaghan Law.

Here at Dolaghan Law, we are devoted to guiding our clients through the bankruptcy filing process, thereby empowering them with the resources and knowledge they need to start anew. If you are wondering how to learn more, call Dolaghan Law today at 904-354-4935! You’re not alone.