Shepherd Outsourcing opened its doors in 2021, and has been providing great services to the ARM industry ever since.
About
Address
©2024 by Shepherd Outsourcing.
Ever wondered if a collection agency can call on Sunday and disrupt your day off? You're not the only one. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has reported that 63% of consumers feel they are contacted too often by debt collectors, with 36% stating they were contacted outside of acceptable hours, including early mornings and late evenings.
In this blog, we’ll discuss what the law says about weekend and holiday collection calls, your rights, and how to stop unwanted contact. If you’ve ever been annoyed or stressed by a debt call on your day off, this post is for you.
When it comes to debt collection, it's important to understand your rights regarding when debt collectors can contact you. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) regulates how third-party debt collectors can reach out to consumers, ensuring that contact is made at reasonable times.
The FDCPA sets clear rules for contact times. Debt collectors are allowed to contact you only between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in your local time zone. This helps protect you from unwanted calls at inconvenient hours, such as late at night or early in the morning.
While the FDCPA allows debt collectors to call during the legal time window, they must respect your specific preferences. If you request that calls be avoided during certain hours, on weekends, or on holidays, collectors must honor that request. This gives you control over when and how you are contacted.
Understanding whether debt collectors can call on Sundays requires addressing consumer rights and how the FDCPA works in this context. Keep reading to find out when these calls are legal and when they cross the line.
Must Read: Can Debt Collectors Call Your Family?
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), there is no outright ban on debt collectors calling on Sundays. However, it is crucial that these calls are made at reasonable times, and not during hours that could be considered inconvenient or intrusive. According to the FDCPA, debt collectors are prohibited from contacting you at times or places that are deemed inconvenient.
If Sunday is a day you prefer to rest, whether for religious or personal reasons, you have the right to request no calls on Sundays. Once you inform the debt collector in writing, they must comply with your request and cease contact on that day. For example, if a debt collector calls you at 8 a.m. on a Sunday, it could be considered an inconvenient time, especially if you have already made your preferences known.
Calls made during religious observances should also be respected by debt collectors. If you have specified that you prefer no calls on certain days, debt collectors are obligated to honor this request.
If you are a business seeking to outsource collections in a compliant and consumer-friendly manner, Shepherd Outsourcing Collections is here to help. Their team of professionals is trained to manage collections effectively while adhering to strict guidelines and fostering positive relationships with consumers.
Now that we’ve covered Sundays, let’s turn to another frequently asked question: Can debt collectors call on holidays?
Also Read: Can Debt Collectors Visit Your Home?
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), federal holidays are not explicitly off-limits for debt collectors. However, there are strict rules in place to protect consumers from contact at inconvenient times.
The FDCPA prohibits debt collectors from contacting consumers at "unusual or inconvenient times," which includes federal holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. These days are often considered inconvenient for many consumers.
While debt collectors are not banned from calling on holidays, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) notes that contacting someone during a holiday could be seen as harassment if it disrupts their personal time or rest. If you find a call disruptive, you have the right to request that no calls be made on specific days, including holidays.
If a debt collector contacts you on a holiday, you can request that they stop calling on those days. Once you make this request in writing, they are required to comply. Failure to do so can lead to legal consequences.
Debt collection calls on holidays or Sundays are not always illegal, but they can still be inappropriate or excessive, especially if you have previously communicated your preferences. For example, a collection call on Christmas morning could easily be considered harassment if it's unwelcome.
So, when do collection calls go too far? Let's explore the situations where debt collectors cross the line into harassment and what steps you can take.
While debt collectors are allowed to make calls under certain conditions, there are clear limits to their behavior. When collection calls cross the line, it usually involves actions that violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Here are some examples of unlawful behavior:
It’s also important to understand the distinction between original creditors and third-party debt collectors. The FDCPA applies only to third-party debt collectors—those hired by creditors to collect the debt. Original creditors can contact you at any time, but they are still bound by other rules regarding harassment and excessive contact.
If you’re experiencing collection calls that violate the law, there are steps you can take. Let’s explore how you can protect yourself and assert your rights.
Further Read: When Can A Debt Collector Pursue Unpaid Debt?
If you are receiving debt collection calls that violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you have several options to stop the harassment and protect your rights. Here are the steps you can take:
Under FDCPA § 805(c), you can send a written request to the debt collector asking them to stop contacting you. Once a consumer notifies a debt collector in writing that they refuse to pay a debt or wish to cease further communication, the debt collector must generally discontinue all communication, with certain exceptions.
If the debt collector continues to harass you after you’ve sent a cease and desist letter, or if they violate any other part of the FDCPA, you can file complaints with:
Under the FDCPA, you may also have the right to sue for damages if debt collectors continue their unlawful behavior. You can sue for up to $1,000 in statutory damages, plus any legal fees incurred while fighting the case. This gives consumers an additional layer of protection and ensures that violators are held accountable.
Debt collectors are prohibited from calling at inconvenient times, such as on Sundays, holidays, or after 9 p.m., unless you’ve given consent or a court order is in place. If you are dealing with debt collection calls on Sunday, and they violate your stated preferences or the law, taking action as described can help put a stop to the unwanted calls.
To sum it up, while the FDCPA does not outright ban holiday or Sunday calls, there are clear limits that protect your peace and privacy. If you’re wondering if a collection agency can call on Sunday, the answer is yes, but only within the 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. window and not if you’ve requested no contact. The same applies to holidays, where unwanted calls can be flagged as intrusive, especially when you've clearly communicated your preferences.
If you're a business looking to outsource collections in a respectful, compliant way, Shepherd Outsourcing Collections offers professional services tailored to consumer rights. Their team is trained to handle accounts with care, ensuring fair treatment and legal adherence every step of the way.
Ready to experience a more efficient and customer-focused collections process? Let Shepherd Outsourcing guide you. Contact us now for personalized solutions!
©2024 by Shepherd Outsourcing.