Can debt collectors call me at work or contact my family about what I owe?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act limits third-party collectors. They can't call you at work if you tell them your employer prohibits such calls, and they generally can't call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. your time or harass, threaten, or use obscene language. They may contact other people only to locate you, and while doing so they generally can't reveal that you owe a debt; they can't discuss your debt with family, friends, or your employer. A spouse may be contacted in some situations. You can tell a collector in writing to stop contacting you, and under newer CFPB rules they must respect certain limits on calls and texts. Keep records of every contact.