Debt collectors are regulated: 

• They can't call before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. 
• They can't use insulting language. 
• They can't demand that you pay more than you owe. 
• They are not allowed to lie (and they cannot say that their papers are legal forms if they aren't). 
• They cannot make up consequences for not paying your debt.
• They cannot call you at work if your employer doesn’t allow it.

What to do:

• You can stop debt collectors from calling you by writing them a letter.
• Visit www.ftc.gov/moneymatters for information on how to handle your debt.