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How to Report a Debt Collector: Stop Harassment and Know Your Rights

Quick answer

Report a debt collector to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint or call 1-855-411-2372. Under the FDCPA debt collectors cannot call before 8am or after 9pm, threaten arrest, or contact your employer after being told to stop.

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Quick answer: File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov/complaint or call 1-855-411-2372. Also report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and your state attorney general. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) makes harassment, threats, and false statements illegal.

Debt collectors cannot harass you, call at all hours, threaten you, or lie about what you owe. If a collector crosses the line, you can report them to federal and state regulators and even sue for damages. This guide explains your FDCPA rights and exactly how to file a complaint.

Illegal Debt Collection Practices

Under the FDCPA, collectors cannot call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., contact you at work after being told to stop, use profane or threatening language, threaten arrest or violence, misrepresent the amount owed, pretend to be attorneys or government officials, or discuss your debt with third parties. Repeated calls intended to annoy or harass are also prohibited.

You have the right to request written validation of the debt within five days of first contact, and to demand in writing that the collector stop contacting you.

Where to Report and Get Help

The CFPB is the primary federal regulator for debt collection and forwards your complaint to the company with a required response. The FTC tracks patterns of abuse, and your state attorney general enforces state debt-collection laws. For illegal practices you can also consult a consumer-protection attorney — FDCPA violations can entitle you to statutory damages.

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Where to Report a Debt Collector

SituationAgencyContact
Harassment, threats, or false statementsCFPBconsumerfinance.gov/complaint | 1-855-411-2372
Deceptive or unfair practicesFTCreportfraud.ftc.gov
State law violationsState attorney generalSearch “[your state] attorney general complaint”
Scam / fake debt (phantom debt)FTC + FBI IC3ic3.gov
Lawsuit for damagesConsumer attorneyNACA: consumeradvocates.org

How to Report a Debt Collector Step by Step

  1. Request debt validation in writing. Within 30 days of first contact, send a written request for validation. The collector must verify the debt and pause collection until they do.
  2. Keep detailed records. Log every call with date, time, the collector’s name and company, and what was said. Save voicemails, letters, texts, and emails. This documentation is your evidence.
  3. Send a cease-contact letter if needed. You can demand in writing that the collector stop contacting you. Send it by certified mail and keep the receipt. After that, they may only contact you to confirm they’ll stop or to notify you of legal action.
  4. File a CFPB complaint. Go to consumerfinance.gov/complaint or call 1-855-411-2372. The CFPB forwards it to the company, which must respond, usually within 15 days.
  5. Report to the FTC. File at reportfraud.ftc.gov to help regulators spot patterns of abuse across many consumers.
  6. Notify your state attorney general. Many states have debt-collection laws stronger than federal rules and their own complaint systems.
  7. Verify the debt is real. If you don’t recognize the debt, it may be a “phantom debt” scam. Don’t pay; report it to the FTC and FBI’s IC3 instead.
  8. Consider legal action. FDCPA violations can entitle you to up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus actual damages and attorney fees. Many consumer attorneys offer free consultations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stop a debt collector from calling me?
Yes. Send a written cease-contact request by certified mail. After receiving it, the collector may only contact you to confirm they will stop or to inform you of specific legal action such as a lawsuit.
What is debt validation?
Within five days of first contact, a collector must tell you the amount, the creditor, and your right to dispute. If you request validation in writing within 30 days, they must verify the debt and pause collection until they provide proof.
How do I know if a debt collector is a scam?
Warning signs include demands for payment by gift card or wire, refusal to provide written validation, threats of immediate arrest, and pressure to pay a debt you don’t recognize. Report suspected scams to the FTC and IC3 — don’t pay.
Does reporting a collector hurt my credit?
No. Filing a complaint with the CFPB, FTC, or your attorney general has no effect on your credit. Separately, you can dispute inaccurate collection accounts with the credit bureaus.
Can I sue a debt collector?
Yes. The FDCPA lets you sue for violations and recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages, plus actual damages and attorney fees. You generally have one year from the violation to file.

For related guides see: How to Report Credit Card Fraud, How to Report Identity Theft, How to Report an Online Scam.

Independent resource — not affiliated with any U.S. government agency. Last reviewed: June 2026.

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Official sources

Use these official channels for your complaint — verify details on the agency site before you submit.

What happens next

  • Most agencies send an acknowledgment or reference number — save it with your copies.
  • Investigations vary by agency; complex cases can take weeks or months.
  • If you do not hear back within the timeframe listed on the agency site, follow up in writing.
  • Keep reporting to additional agencies if your issue crosses categories (for example, fraud plus billing).