Unfair Debt Collection Tactics: What’s Legal and What’s Not?
Written by Cooper & Friedman PLLC on October 14, 2025
If you’re dealing with aggressive or harassing debt collectors, you’re not alone, and you have rights. While debt collectors are legally allowed to try to recover owed funds, they must follow strict rules under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). At Cooper & Friedman, we help protect Kentucky residents from unfair, abusive, or deceptive debt collection tactics.
In this post, we’ll break down what’s legal, what’s not, and what to do if you believe a collector has crossed the line.
What Are Illegal Debt Collection Tactics?
Debt collectors are not above the law. The FDCPA prohibits them from using tactics that harass, mislead, or pressure consumers into paying. Here are some of the most common illegal debt collection practices with examples:
1. Harassment
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Repetitive phone calls, especially in a short period
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Using obscene or profane language
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Threatening violence or harm
2. Deceptive Practices
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Lying about the amount you owe
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Falsely claiming to be an attorney, law enforcement, or government agent
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Threatening legal action or arrest when they have no intent or legal basis to do so
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Sending fake legal documents
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Failing to identify themselves as a debt collector
3. Unreasonable Contact
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Calling before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM
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Contacting you at work after you’ve told them not to
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Repeated calls with the intent to annoy or harass
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Contacting you at times you’ve said are inconvenient
4. Sharing Debt Information
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Discussing your debt with anyone other than you, your attorney, or a credit bureau
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Publicly posting about your debt on social media or elsewhere
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Contacting people in your life (like your employer, family, landlord, or neighbors) to pressure you into paying
5. Ignoring Your Rights
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Failing to stop contact after you’ve sent a written request
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Trying to collect a debt you don’t actually owe
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Sending emails to work or using envelopes that indicate they’re from a debt collector
What Debt Collectors Can Legally Do
While collectors must follow the law, they are still allowed to pursue valid debts in legal and respectful ways.
1. Initial Contact
They can call, send letters, or email you to notify you of the debt—but they must send a written notice of the debt (called a validation notice) within five days of first contacting you.
2. Verification of the Debt
You have the right to request written proof of the debt, and they must stop collecting until they provide it.
3. Requesting Payment
Collectors can ask for payment on legitimate debts. They can also negotiate payment plans or settlements.
4. Locating You
They can contact third parties like friends or family only to get your address or phone number, but cannot mention the debt when doing so. In general, debt collectors can only discuss the debt with you, your spouse, your parents (if you are a minor), and your guardian, executor, or administrator.
Your Legal Rights Under the FDCPA
If you believe a collector has broken the law, you don’t have to deal with it alone. You can:
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Submit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
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Report the collector to your state attorney general’s office.
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Send a written request to the debt collector to stop all contact.
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Contact a consumer protection attorney like the team at Cooper & Friedman to understand your legal options.
Protecting Yourself from Unfair Debt Collection in Kentucky
At Cooper & Friedman, we’ve helped countless clients throughout Louisville and the state of Kentucky fight back against illegal debt collection practices. If you’re being harassed, threatened, or misled by a debt collector, you may be entitled to damages under federal or state law.
Frequently Asked Questions About Debt Collection Laws
1. Can a debt collector call me at work?
Yes, but only if your employer allows it. If you tell the collector that your employer prohibits such calls, they must stop immediately. This applies whether the notification is verbal or written.
2. What should I do if a debt collector is lying or harassing me?
Start by keeping records of all communications (calls, letters, emails). Then:
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Send a written letter requesting them to stop contact
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File a complaint with the FTC, CFPB, or your state attorney general
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Contact a consumer protection attorney to explore your legal options
3. Is it legal for debt collectors to contact my family or friends?
They may only contact third parties to locate you, but they cannot reveal that you owe a debt. They also cannot repeatedly contact the same person or share any specific information about the debt.
If you or someone you love has experienced unfair debt collection practices in the State of Kentucky and are in need of an experienced unfair debt collection attorney, give the lawyers at the Cooper & Friedman law firm a call. The attorneys at Cooper and Friedman PLLC have over 50 years of combined experience defending the rights of unfair debt collection victims. Contact us with questions you might have or schedule a free case consultation with an attorney by calling 502-459-7555 today.