What qualifies as harassment by a debt collector?

Federal law places strict limits on debt collector behavior, prohibiting tactics that cross into harassment. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act restricts when collectors can call, what they can say, and how they can contact debtors—with violations potentially triggering lawsuits and damages. Common harassment includes repeated calls, threats, calling before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., disclosing debt to third parties, or using abusive language. Understanding these protections matters because many consumers are unaware of their rights when facing aggressive collection attempts. Debtors who believe they've been harassed can file complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or pursue legal action against collectors.