§1692d — Title 15 Commerce and Trade | U.S. Code

Summary

Debt collectors must not do things that would naturally bother, frighten, or mistreat someone while trying to collect a debt. Forbidden actions include threatening or using violence or crime to harm a person or their property, using swear words to abuse someone, publishing lists of nonpayers (except to credit reporting agencies or people allowed under 1681a(f) or 1681b(3)), advertising a debt to force payment, calling repeatedly to annoy, or calling without clearly saying who they are (unless 1692b 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) 11 See References in Text note below. 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