15 U.S.C. § 1692d: Harassment or abuse

Summary

Debt collectors must not harass, bully, or mistreat anyone while trying to collect a debt. They may not threaten violence or crime, use foul or abusive language, publish lists of people who allegedly won’t pay (except to credit agencies or others allowed by law), advertise a debt to force payment, call repeatedly to annoy someone, or call without clearly saying who they are unless another part of the law allows it.

Title 15, §1692d

Commerce and Trade, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

A debt collector may not engage in any conduct the natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section: (1)

(2)The use of obscene or profane language or language the natural consequence of which is to abuse the hearer or reader.

(3)The publication of a list of consumers who allegedly refuse to pay debts, except to a consumer reporting agency or to persons meeting the requirements of section 1681a(f) or 1681b(3) of this title.

(4)The advertisement for sale of any debt to coerce payment of the debt.

(5)Causing a telephone to ring or engaging any person in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with intent to annoy, abuse, or harass any person at the called number.

(6)Except as provided in section 1692b of this title, the placement of telephone calls without meaningful disclosure of the caller’s identity.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

section 1681b(3) of this title, referred to in par. (3), was redesignated section 1681b(a)(3) of this title by Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title II, § 2403(a)(1), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–430.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective upon the expiration of six months after Sept. 20, 1977, see section 819 of Pub. L. 90–321, as added by Pub. L. 95–109, set out as a note under section 1692 of this title.

§1692d Harassment or Abuse