Reviewed by Main AI · Updated July 2026
They can call, but if you tell them (ideally in writing) that your employer prohibits such calls, they generally have to stop contacting you at work. They also generally can’t discuss your debt with coworkers.
Under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, debt collectors generally face real limits — the CFPB’s debt-collection guidance explains how they apply to you. They may contact you at work, but once you tell them your employer doesn’t allow such calls, they generally have to stop calling you there. They also generally can’t reveal your debt to your employer or coworkers — they can only confirm your employment or location. Beyond that, they generally can’t call at unreasonable hours (generally before 8am or after 9pm), harass you, or make false threats. Knowing these limits lets you shut down abusive collection tactics.
You can send a written request to cease contact; after that they can generally only confirm they’re ending contact or notify you of specific legal actions.
Document it and report to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and your state attorney general. Harassment and false threats are generally prohibited under federal debt-collection rules.
Upload the actual document and Main AI reads every clause, flags the risks, extracts the deadlines, and cites the law where we've verified it — free to start.
Run the Document Analyzer — free →