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A debt collector may contact you in the following ways:
He or She may contact you in person, by mail, telephone, telegram or fax. A debt collector also may not contact you at work if the collector knows that your employer disapproves. A debt collector may not contact you at unreasonable times or places, such as before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., unless you agree.

You can stop a debt collector from contacting you by writing a letter to the collection agency telling them to stop. Once the creditor receives the letter, they may not contact you again except in the case of a legal action.

For example, debt collectors may not:
Use any false statements!
Harass, oppress or abuse anyone, in any way.
Use threats of violence or harm against the person, property or reputation;
Publish a list of consumers who refuse to pay their debts (except to a credit bureau);
Use obscene or profane language;
Repeatedly use the telephone to annoy someone;
Telephone someone without identifying themselves;
Advertise your debt.
Falsely imply that they are attorneys or government representatives;
Falsely imply that you have committed a crime;
Falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit bureau;
Misrepresent the amount of your debt;
Misrepresent the involvement of an attorney in collecting a debt;
Indicate that papers being sent to you are legal forms when they are not;
Indicate that papers being sent to you are not legal forms when they are.
Give false credit information about you to anyone;

Debt collectors also may not state that:
You will be arrested if you do not pay your debt;
They will seize, garnish, attach or sell your property or wages unless the collection agency or creditor intends to do so, and it is legal to do so;
Actions, such as a lawsuit, will be taken against you, which legally may not be taken, or which they do not intend to take.
Send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency which it is not.

What can you do if you believe a debt collector violated the law?
You have the right to sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date you believe the law was violated. Court costs and attorneys fees also can be recovered.

Where can you report a debt collector for an alleged violation?
Report any problems you have with a debt collector to your state Attorney General's office and the Federal Trade Commission. Many states have their own debt collection laws and your State's Attorney General's office can help you determine your consumer rights.