What Can You Do About Creditor Harassment?

 Posted on April 05, 2026 in Creditor Harassment

Debt collectors are entitled to notify their debtors about payments that are coming or past due. They have to be able to follow up with whoever owes them money, or they’d probably never get paid. There are creditors, though, whose attempts to collect can turn into actual harassment. This can take any number of forms: public shaming, discussing your debt with neighbors or family members, or threats, among others.

Not only is this stressful for you, but it’s illegal in 2026, and you don’t have to stand for it. A Brazoria creditor harassment lawyer can explain what’s legal and what crosses the line.

What Counts as Harassment by a Creditor?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, known as the FDCPA, is a federal law that sets clear boundaries on how debt collectors can behave (15 U.S.C. § 1692d). It applies to third-party collectors rather than the original company you owe money to. These include collection agencies, debt buyers, and lawyers who collect debts.

Legally, debt collectors are not allowed to:

• Call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your local time zone

• Contact you at work if they know your employer prohibits phone use

• Use obscene or abusive language

• Threaten you with violence or arrest

• Claim to be an attorney or government official when they are not

• Lie about the amount you owe or add charges not allowed by your original agreement or by law

• Publicly expose your debt, such as in a public posting

• Contact you directly if they know you have an attorney representing you

These are not guidelines. If a collector commits any of them, you have legal options.

How Do You Stop a Debt Collector from Harrassing You?

You have the right to demand that a debt collector stop contacting you. The request must be in writing. Once the collector receives your letter, they are only allowed to contact you one more time, either to confirm they will stop, or to inform you of a specific action they plan to take, such as filing a lawsuit.

Keep a copy of the letter and consider sending it by certified mail so you have a record of delivery. Also, keep notes of every call you receive: dates, times, what was said, and the collector's name. This documentation can matter if you need to take more action later.

It is important to understand that making a collector stop calling does not make the debt go away. If you ignore the debt entirely, the collector may escalate by suing you in court. For this reason, stopping contact works best as part of a broader plan for addressing the debt itself.

What Can You Do If a Debt Collector Has Broken Harassment Laws?

If a debt collector has already committed illegal harassment, you have several options.

Report the Violation

You can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov, or with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. You can also contact the Texas Attorney General's Office, which handles consumer protection complaints and has its own enforcement authority over deceptive and abusive debt collection practices in the state.

Sue the Debt Collector

The FDCPA gives you the right to sue a debt collector in state or federal court. You must file within one year of the violation. If you win, you may be able to recover damages, such as lost wages or medical costs caused by the collector's conduct, plus up to $1,000 in additional statutory damages. You may also recover attorney's fees. Even if you don’t get compensation for specific damages, the court can still award the $1,000.

Consider Bankruptcy

For many people, the most effective way to stop creditor harassment is to file for bankruptcy. The moment a bankruptcy case is filed, an "automatic stay" goes into effect. This is a federal court order that immediately halts all collection activity, including calls, letters, lawsuits, wage garnishments, and repossessions. Creditors who violate the automatic stay can face serious legal consequences.

Whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 is the right fit depends on your income, assets, and goals. Chapter 7 can get rid of some debts quickly. Chapter 13 creates a structured repayment plan, often allowing people to catch up on a mortgage or car loan while stopping collection pressure.

Call a Montgomery County, TX Bankruptcy Lawyer Today

If you’re being harassed by creditors in 2026 and considering any of the above actions, contact a lawyer who has experience in bankruptcy and harassment issues. Our Brazoria debtor harassment attorney at The Fealy Law Firm, PC can help. Attorney Fealy is Board-Certified in Consumer Bankruptcy Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has helped thousands of people and businesses work through debt and take back control of their finances. 

Call The Fealy Law Firm, PC at 713-526-5220 today for a free consultation.