 TITLE: Can You Go to Jail for Debt? CONTENT: What Can and Can't Debt Collectors Do?\n--------------------------------------\nIt's smart to be equipped with knowledge about what debt collectors legally can and cannot do when they're seeking a debt payment from you.\nLegally, a debt collector can only contact you about household debts like credit card bills, auto loans, medical bills, student loans and mortgage payments. A debt collector can reach out to you by phone, email, text message or letter—and, starting in October 2021, via social media.\nWithin five days of initially contacting you, a debt collector must send you a notice outlining how much money you owe, the name of the creditor to whom the money is owed and what you can do if you believe you don't owe this debt.\nDebt collectors are prohibited from harassing you, lying to you or engaging in unfair practices. For instance, a debt collector can't threaten to harm you, falsely claim you'll be arrested or threaten to take your property.\nAlso, debt collectors can't contact you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. unless you give them permission, can't reach out to you at work if you're unable to take calls there and can't contact you in most cases if you've asked them by letter to stop contacting you. In addition, a debt collector generally can't talk with anyone about your debt except you or your spouse. END