Can a debt collector call my references?

In California, the answer to the question “Can a debt collector call my references?” is generally, no. Debt collectors are not allowed to contact your references to discuss your debt. According to the California Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, “Debt collectors shall not contact the consumer’s references other than to obtain the consumer’s address or telephone number.” Debt collectors are also prohibited from using abusive, oppressive, or unfair conduct when attempting to collect a debt. This means they cannot harass your references in any way, such as calling them multiple times. Although debt collectors cannot call your references, they can contact them to get your address or phone number. However, they should not make repeated calls, use any kind of threat, or otherwise act in a way that could be considered as harassment. If a debt collector does contact a reference, it is important to note that debt collectors cannot give out any personal information about you. This means that references cannot be asked about your employment, income, or credit information. If you feel that a debt collector has violated any laws or regulations in California, you should contact an attorney immediately. Your attorney can help you take legal action against the debt collector in order to protect your rights.

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