Can a debt collector contact me if I’ve offered to settle a debt?

In California, a debt collector can still contact you if you have offered to settle a debt. However, debt collectors must obey the law and treat you fairly. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) in California, a debt collector must not contact you more than once for the same settlement offer. If you are contacted multiple times for the same settlement offer, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Also, a debt collector cannot call you repeatedly or over a long period of time in an effort to pressure you into paying the debt. Additionally, a debt collector cannot contact your friends, family, or employer in an effort to collect the debt. A debt collector also cannot call you before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m., or at any other unreasonable time. If a debt collector makes threats of arrest or threatens to sue you, this is considered harassment and is a direct violation of the law. If you believe that a debt collector has threatened you or is harassing you, then you can file a complaint with the FTC or pursue legal action against the debt collector. Overall, a debt collector can still contact you if you offer to settle a debt, but they must follow the rules and treat you fairly. If a debt collector breaks the law, then you can take legal action against them.

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Can a debt collector contact me if I’ve offered to settle a debt?

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