Stop debt collector harassment in any state

Every page below maps a specific abusive collector tactic to the exact federal and state statute it violates — and generates the Cease & Desist + Debt Validation notice you need to claim up to $1,000+ in statutory damages.

1,020 state-specific templates ready to deploy.

Calling your workplace

15 U.S.C. § 1692c(a)(3) — A debt collector may not contact you at your job if they know or have reason to know your employer prohibits such communication.

Calling before 8 AM or after 9 PM

15 U.S.C. § 1692c(a)(1) — Collectors may only call between 8:00 AM and 9:00 PM in the consumer's local time zone — anything outside that window is a per-call violation.

Threatening arrest or jail time

15 U.S.C. § 1692e(4) — It is illegal for a collector to represent that nonpayment of any debt will result in arrest, imprisonment, or seizure unless such action is lawful AND they intend to take it.

Threatening a lawsuit they cannot file

15 U.S.C. § 1692e(5) — It is illegal to threaten any action the collector cannot legally take or does not actually intend to take.

Refusing to provide debt validation

15 U.S.C. § 1692g — Within 5 days of first contact, a collector must send written validation. If you request validation within 30 days, all collection must STOP until they produce it.

Collecting on time-barred zombie debt

15 U.S.C. § 1692e (and CFPB Regulation F) — Suing — or threatening to sue — on a time-barred debt is a deceptive practice under federal law and the CFPB's debt collection rule.

Calling your family or friends

15 U.S.C. § 1692c(b) — Collectors may only contact third parties to obtain location information — and may not reveal that you owe a debt, even to family members.

Calling after a cease & desist letter

15 U.S.C. § 1692c(c) — Once a collector receives your written notice to cease communication, they may only contact you to confirm they are stopping or to notify you of legal action.

Robocalls and autodialer harassment

47 U.S.C. § 227 (TCPA) + 15 U.S.C. § 1692d(5) — Robocalls to your cell phone without prior express consent violate the TCPA, and repeated dialing to annoy or harass also violates the FDCPA.

Collecting on a discharged bankruptcy debt

11 U.S.C. § 524 + 15 U.S.C. § 1692e(2)(A) — Once a debt is discharged in bankruptcy, the discharge injunction permanently bars any further collection activity — calls, letters, lawsuits, or credit reporting.

Re-aging debt on your credit report

15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2 (FCRA) + 15 U.S.C. § 1692e(8) — Reporting a debt with a falsified 'date of first delinquency' to keep it on your credit report past 7 years violates both the FCRA and the FDCPA.

Using abusive or profane language

15 U.S.C. § 1692d(2) — Use of obscene, profane, or otherwise abusive language by a debt collector is expressly prohibited by the FDCPA.

Falsely posing as an attorney or government agent

15 U.S.C. § 1692e(1) and (3) — It is unlawful to falsely represent that a communication is from an attorney, a government agency, or any law enforcement entity.

Misrepresenting the amount of the debt

15 U.S.C. § 1692e(2)(A) — It is illegal to misrepresent the character, amount, or legal status of any debt — including tacking on unauthorized interest or fees.

Contacting you after you have an attorney

15 U.S.C. § 1692c(a)(2) — If a collector knows you are represented by an attorney on the debt, they must communicate only with the attorney — not with you.

Threatening to ruin your credit

15 U.S.C. § 1692e(5) + 1692e(10) — Threatening credit reporting they don't intend to take, or that they have no legal right to take, is a deceptive practice under the FDCPA.

Continuing to call after a written dispute

15 U.S.C. § 1692g(b) — Once you dispute the debt in writing within 30 days, the collector must cease all collection until they mail you verification of the debt.

Targeting elderly or disabled consumers

15 U.S.C. § 1692d + state elder-abuse statutes — Harassing, oppressive, or abusive conduct toward any consumer violates the FDCPA — and most states layer elder-financial-abuse penalties on top.

Demanding postdated checks

15 U.S.C. § 1692f(2)–(4) — It is unlawful to accept a postdated check more than 5 days in advance without specific written notice, or to deposit one early, or to threaten criminal prosecution over it.

Sending fake court summons or 'legal' documents

15 U.S.C. § 1692e(9) + (13) — Documents designed to look like court process, government forms, or legal documents — when they are not — are per se FDCPA violations.