Debt collectors calling you? Here’s what you need to know about your rights

(InvestigateTV) — For millions of people who borrow money, the debt has led to nonstop calls from collection companies — and an InvestigateTV investigation found some of those calls cross the line.

In June 2025, the average American owed about $105,000 in debt, according to Experian.

A Georgia woman said she dug herself out from under roughly $40,000 in credit card debt, despite relentless calls from collectors, and she is sharing strategies for people facing the same situation.

‘The calls can be ridiculous’

Quiana Blake said her debt problems began shortly after her divorce in 2020, when she went from two incomes to one while managing nearly the same number of bills.

“The calls can be ridiculous. They just call in at all times on a day. They just want the money. They don’t care what time they call you, how many times,” Blake said. “They try to act like they’re your friends or family.”

Blake said she tracked her balances, payments, and due dates on a spreadsheet and the interest rates were as high as 27 percent on some cards.

She said the calls would stress her out.

“It almost makes you kind of want to comply,” Blake said. “More aggressive ones, you probably tend to pay first because they’re going to call you.”

Federal law limits what collectors can do

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) makes it illegal for debt collectors to harass or threaten consumers when attempting to collect a debt. Collectors cannot threaten violence, use obscene language or repeatedly call someone with the intent to annoy them.

InvestigateTV combed through 15,000 consumer complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) over the past 10 years about frequent debt collection calls.

Most complaints involved credit cards, medical debt, auto loans and payday loans.

One consumer wrote: “They call from an unknown number and then a normal number and then a block number again to make it seem like it’s not them.”

Another stated: “Over the span of two weeks, I received 26 calls to my cell phone from a debt collection company. I do believe it is considered harassment. I would like the calls to stop and to pursue legal repercussion in regards to this harassing behavior.”

When calls become illegal

Danny Karon, a consumer attorney, law professor and author, said he recently settled a case for $7.5 million involving debt collections.

“Under CFPB rules, more than seven in a week is considered excessive,” Karon said.

Karon said consumers should know that collectors cross into illegal territory when they violate the FDCPA.

“They call earlier than they should. They call after they should. They threaten, they lie. They say the debt is worth more than it is. They say they’re going to sue you,” Karon said. “Certain ugly things that border on harassment or are harassment are things that often check or trigger the FDCPA and can trigger a federal case.”

Karon said debt collectors have the right to pursue debts — but within legal limits.

“Debt collectors can come after you. They just have to act legally and work within the guardrails,” he said. “If you have a debt, you have to pay it. Or if you can’t pay it, work out a payment plan.”

Validate before you engage

Naomi Peden, senior housing counselor with Money Management International, said the first step for any consumer receiving collection calls is to request written validation of the debt before making any agreements.

“Well, it can be very deceitful. The first thing that I always tell people is initially before you make any arrangements, any agreements with anybody, you ask them to send you validation of the debt in writing,” Peden said. “I’m not talking to you. I’m not going to engage in any kind of conversations with you until I can validate.”

Peden said collectors often pressure consumers into making immediate decisions.

“They think that because the person is coming off aggressive, they feel threatened, they feel like I have to make the decision at this moment. And that’s just really not the case,” she said.

Blake’s path out of debt

Blake said her balance has dropped from roughly $40,000 to about $13,000, and she expects to pay it off within the next year.

“My credit is higher than it’s ever been — it’s over 700, which is a blessing," Blake said.

The calls have also stopped, she said, because she is no longer behind on any payments.

What you can do

Consumers having issues with a debt collector can file a complaint with their state attorney general.

Experian recommends consumers calculate their total minimum monthly payment, create a budget to pay at least the minimum and — ideally — pay extra each month to get out of debt faster.