According to the Fair Trade Commission, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act lists what rights consumers have when dealing with debt collectors, including:
* A debt collector can’t contact you at unreasonable hours, defined by the act as between 9 p.m. to 8 a.m., unless you give permission.
* You can tell a collector — by a letter or by voice — not to call you at work; the collector must abide.
* A collector can call your family and friends, but only to find out your contact information. They are not allowed to discuss the debt with anyone but you unless you have an attorney. * A collector has to provide written information on the debt within five days of contacting you. The l