How many times a day can a debt collector call?

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), federal law does not define a specific number of times a debt collector is permitted to call, but the amount must not be enough to qualify as harassment. This rule extends to family and friends of the debtor.

Consumers have the right to tell a debt collector to stop contact if the notification is in writing. The debt collector, henceforth, is only allowed to contact the debtor to affirm that there will be no further contact or to notify of a legal ramification of the debt, such as a lawsuit. Debt collectors, however, are still allowed to file a negative report with the Consumer Reporting Agency, thus affecting the debtor's credit score.