Collection Calls at Work

Debt collectors love to call consumers at work. It creates pressure, embarrassment, and the fear of being fired. They hope you will pay just to make it stop.

Is It Legal?

Generally, a collector cannot call you at work if they know or have reason to know that your employer prohibits such calls.

How to Trigger the Ban

You must put them on notice.

• Oral Notice: Tell them on the phone: “I am at work. My boss does not allow personal calls. Do not call me here.”
• Written Notice: Send a letter stating: “My employer prohibits debt collection calls to my workplace.”

Once you give this notice, any future call to your workplace is a violation of the FDCPA (§ 1692c(a)(3)).

Calling Your Boss

Collectors generally cannot talk to your boss or coworkers about your debt. They can only contact third parties to get “location information” (your home address/phone), and they can usually only do that once. If they tell your boss you owe money, or if they call your workplace repeatedly after having your location info, they are breaking the law.

Protect Your Job

If a collector is threatening your employment, contact a consumer attorney immediately. We can send a Cease & Desist letter that stops the harassment instantly and sets up a claim for damages.