Are Credit Card Companies Allowed To Harass You? | Lines They Can’t Cross

Credit card issuers can contact you about a past-due balance, but threats, profanity, deception, and repeated contact meant to annoy or intimidate can cross legal lines.

Falling behind on a credit card can feel noisy. Calls. Emails. Letters. Texts. Some contact is normal because the lender is trying to collect what it’s owed. The problem starts when the contact turns into pressure tactics that feel hostile or nonstop.

This piece explains what “harassment” usually means in debt collection, why credit card companies and third-party collectors get treated differently, and what steps actually reduce the contact. You’ll leave with a simple plan, plus a recordkeeping setup that makes complaints and disputes easier.

What Counts As Harassment In Debt Collection

There isn’t one magic number of calls that is always illegal. Context matters: timing, frequency, tone, and intent. Still, certain behavior patterns raise red flags fast.

Conduct That Commonly Crosses The Line

• Threats of violence or harm toward you, your family, or your property.
• Obscene or profane language used to shock or shame you.
• Repeated contact meant to annoy (especially bursts of calls, back-to-back attempts, or constant voicemails).
• Deceptive statements, like pretending to be a government agency or misrepresenting what can happen next.
• Public shaming, like posting about a debt publicly.
• Improper third-party contact, such as telling co-workers or neighbors details about your debt.

Many of these ideas show up in federal debt collection law for “debt collectors,” not always for original creditors. That split is the first thing to get clear.

Are Credit Card Companies Allowed To Harass You?

Credit card companies can pursue payment and can contact you to collect. They still must stay within consumer protection rules, plus state laws and general prohibitions on threats, deception, and unfair conduct.

The twist: a lot of the most well-known federal “no-harassment” language sits in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which mainly applies to third-party debt collectors. The FDCPA’s text and its limits are published by the Federal Trade Commission’s FDCPA statute page.

Original Creditor Vs. Debt Collector

Original creditor means the company that gave you the credit card. Debt collector often means a separate company collecting for someone else, or a buyer collecting on a debt it purchased. The FDCPA generally targets “debt collectors,” not the original creditor collecting in its own name.

That does not mean the original creditor can do anything it wants. It means your best “tool” depends on who is contacting you.

Why The Difference Changes Your Plan

If a third-party collector is involved, federal rules about call frequency and harassment standards are clearer. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau lays out harassment examples in its plain-language page on what counts as harassment by a debt collector. The CFPB also publishes the debt collection regulations that interpret federal law for collectors, including harassment standards in Regulation F.

If it’s the credit card issuer calling you directly, you may lean more on: state debt collection laws, state consumer protection laws, federal limits on robocalls/texts, and complaint channels that get internal review moving fast.

When Call Frequency Becomes A Problem

Even when someone has a right to contact you, constant contact can cross the line. Federal rules for debt collectors include “presumptions” tied to call frequency under Regulation F. The rule text and commentary live in the CFPB’s regulation pages, including 12 CFR 1006.14 on harassing conduct.

For credit card issuers, there’s no single federal “X calls per week” number that always applies the same way. Still, the practical signal is simple: if the contact feels designed to wear you down instead of collect in a fair way, start building your paper trail and shift to written channels.

Timing And Place Still Matter

Collectors face limits on calling at unusual times. Many states and company policies follow similar boundaries. If calls hit early morning or late night, log it. If they keep calling at work after you tell them not to, log that too. Those facts are often more persuasive than a general “they call a lot.”

What “Harassment” Looks Like In Real Life

Some patterns show up again and again. Use this table as a quick screen. If you spot several rows that match your situation, move to the action plan sections below.

Pattern You Might See	Why It Raises A Red Flag	Next Step That Helps
Multiple calls in a short window	Looks like pressure contact instead of normal collection	Start a call log with timestamps and voicemails saved
Calls continue after you ask for written contact	Shows they may be ignoring a clear boundary	Send a dated written request and keep proof of delivery
Threats of arrest, jail, or “criminal charges”	Debt is usually a civil matter; threats can be deceptive	Write down exact wording, then file a complaint
Profanity or insults	Shaming language can be unlawful for collectors	Save recordings where legal, or write a verbatim note
Contacting relatives with debt details	Sharing details can violate privacy rules	Document who was contacted and what was said
Texts or robocalls after you opt out	Consent and opt-out rules apply to automated contact	Reply STOP (if offered), then revoke consent in writing
Misstating the amount owed or adding fake fees	False amounts can be deceptive or unfair	Request validation details and compare with statements
Calling your workplace after you say “no work calls”	Work contact can create job risk and added pressure	Send a written “no workplace contact” notice

How To Tell Who Is Contacting You

Before you fire off letters, confirm who’s on the other end. This keeps you from using the wrong script and wasting time.

Fast Checks That Work

• Ask for the company name, the caller’s name, and a mailing address.
• Ask who owns the debt (the card issuer, or someone else).
• Check your credit card account for “charged off,” “assigned,” or “sold” notes.
• Watch the email domain and letterhead. Issuer domains often match brand ownership.

If the caller refuses to identify themselves or dodges basic questions, treat that as a warning sign and keep everything in writing.

Your Rights With Calls, Texts, And Robocalls

Even when the FDCPA isn’t a clean fit for original creditors, automated contact rules can still matter. If calls or texts are automated, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and FCC rules can come into play.

The FCC has published updates on how consumers can revoke consent for unwanted robocalls and robotexts, including an effective date notice on TCPA consent revocation rules. In plain terms: if you withdraw permission for certain automated calls or texts, the sender has to respect that within the rule’s scope.

Clean Steps To Reduce Automated Contact

• Use the opt-out method they provide (like replying “STOP” to a text) and screenshot it.
• Revoke consent in writing if you keep getting automated contact.
• Switch to mail-only contact where that option is available for collectors.

If you’re unsure whether calls are automated, pay attention to telltale signs: dead air when you answer, a pause before someone speaks, or a recorded voice that transfers to an agent.

What To Do When The Credit Card Issuer Is The One Calling

When the original creditor is calling, the goal is to set boundaries, create a record, and push the conversation into a channel that you control.

Step 1: Set A Single Contact Channel

Pick one: mail, a dedicated email address, or a set call window. Then state it clearly. If you can only take calls after work, say that. If you want mail-only, say that too. Even if the issuer does not have to follow the same collector rules in your state, this step sets up a clean “they ignored my request” record.

Step 2: Stop The Spiral With A Payment Plan You Can Keep

If you can pay something, propose a plan you can actually follow. Ask for the plan in writing. A plan that fails just restarts the pressure cycle.

Step 3: Ask For A Supervisor When Conduct Turns Hostile

If an agent gets aggressive, ask for a supervisor and ask for notes to be placed on your account about your contact preferences. Then follow up in writing. Internal notes matter when you later file a complaint.

What To Do When A Third-Party Collector Is Calling

If a collector is involved, your rights are often clearer. The CFPB’s call-frequency guidance explains how the FDCPA treats repeated calls and the Regulation F “presumptions” used to judge frequency in a seven-day window. You can read that plain-language breakdown at CFPB’s call frequency question page.

Step 1: Ask For Debt Validation In Writing

Request written details about the debt and who owns it. If the debt amount looks wrong, or you suspect the wrong person is being contacted, this step can slow contact while the facts get checked.

Step 2: Use A Written “Stop Contact” Or “Mail Only” Request

Collectors may have to limit contact after certain written requests, depending on the request type and what the law requires in your situation. Send the letter by a method that creates delivery proof, then save that proof.

Step 3: Escalate If Behavior Stays Aggressive

If the conduct fits harassment patterns, complaints are more persuasive when they include dates, times, the caller’s name, and a short quote of what was said.

Recordkeeping That Makes Complaints And Disputes Easier

When you’re stressed, it’s easy to delete voicemails or forget details. A simple system keeps you steady and makes your report stronger.

Action	How To Do It	Proof To Save
Start a contact log	Use a notes app or spreadsheet with date/time, number, and summary	Screenshot call history and keep the log backed up
Save written contact	Create a folder for emails and scanned letters	PDF copies of letters, envelopes, and email headers
Confirm who’s calling	Ask for company name, mailing address, and who owns the debt	Names, titles, and any reference numbers they give you
Send boundary requests	Mail a dated letter stating your preferred contact channel	Certified mail receipt or tracked delivery confirmation
Opt out of texts	Reply with the opt-out keyword they provide	Screenshot of the opt-out and any confirmation response
Write a call recap	Right after a call, write 3–5 bullet points with exact phrases	Timestamped notes, plus voicemails saved as audio files

Complaints That Get Attention

Complaints work best when they are specific and calm. Stick to facts. Dates. Quotes. Screenshots. A short timeline beats a long rant.

Where People Commonly File

• CFPB complaints (useful for credit card issuers and many collectors). State what happened, attach proof, and request the contact method you want.
• State attorney general for unfair or deceptive practices in your state.
• FCC complaints for unwanted robocalls or robotexts, especially after you revoke consent.

If you plan to speak with a lawyer, your log and saved messages are the first thing they will ask for. If you keep clean records, that conversation is faster and cheaper.

Scripts You Can Copy Into A Note

Use a steady tone. Repeat your boundary once. If they push, repeat it again and end the call.

Phone Script For Setting A Contact Boundary

“I’m willing to communicate about this account. Please contact me only by mail to my address on file. Please note that on the account.”

Phone Script When A Caller Gets Aggressive

“I’m ending this call now. Send any updates in writing. Do not call my workplace.”

Text Script To Revoke Consent

“I revoke consent to receive automated calls or texts at this number. Contact me by mail.”

Common Traps That Make The Pressure Worse

A few mistakes tend to increase contact.

• Answering every call can train the dialer that your number is active. If you want fewer calls, move to writing.
• Making a promise you can’t keep invites more follow-up when the payment doesn’t arrive.
• Sharing extra personal details can lead to more contact channels. Keep it tight.
• Ignoring notices can lead to escalation paths that feel worse than a planned negotiation.

A Simple Plan For The Next 72 Hours

1. Figure out who is contacting you (issuer or collector) and write it down.
2. Start a contact log and save the last few voicemails, texts, and emails.
3. Send one boundary message that sets your contact channel.
4. Request written details if a collector is involved and the debt info feels off.
5. Escalate with a complaint if threats, profanity, deception, or nonstop contact continues.

This approach does two things at once: it reduces the chaos, and it builds the kind of proof that gets a serious response.