
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 15USC1692c]

 
                      TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND TRADE
 
                 CHAPTER 41--CONSUMER CREDIT PROTECTION
 
                 SUBCHAPTER V--DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES
 
Sec. 1692c. Communication in connection with debt collection


(a) Communication with the consumer generally

    Without the prior consent of the consumer given directly to the debt 
collector or the express permission of a court of competent 
jurisdiction, a debt collector may not communicate with a consumer in 
connection with the collection of any debt--
        (1) at any unusual time or place or a time or place known or 
    which should be known to be inconvenient to the consumer. In the 
    absence of knowledge of circumstances to the contrary, a debt 
    collector shall assume that the convenient time for communicating 
    with a consumer is after 8 o'clock antemeridian and before 9 o'clock 
    postmeridian, local time at the consumer's location;
        (2) if the debt collector knows the consumer is represented by 
    an attorney with respect to such debt and has knowledge of, or can 
    readily ascertain, such attorney's name and address, unless the 
    attorney fails to respond within a reasonable period of time to a 
    communication from the debt collector or unless the attorney 
    consents to direct communication with the consumer; or
        (3) at the consumer's place of employment if the debt collector 
    knows or has reason to know that the consumer's employer prohibits 
    the consumer from receiving such communication.

(b) Communication with third parties

    Except as provided in section 1692b of this title, without the prior 
consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector, or the 
express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, or as 
reasonably necessary to effectuate a postjudgment judicial remedy, a 
debt collector may not communicate, in connection with the collection of 
any debt, with any person other than the consumer, his attorney, a 
consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, 
the attorney of the creditor, or the attorney of the debt collector.

(c) Ceasing communication

    If a consumer notifies a debt collector in writing that the consumer 
refuses to pay a debt or that the consumer wishes the debt collector to 
cease further communication with the consumer, the debt collector shall 
not communicate further with the consumer with respect to such debt, 
except--
        (1) to advise the consumer that the debt collector's further 
    efforts are being terminated;
        (2) to notify the consumer that the debt collector or creditor 
    may invoke specified remedies which are ordinarily invoked by such 
    debt collector or creditor; or
        (3) where applicable, to notify the consumer that the debt 
    collector or creditor intends to invoke a specified remedy.

If such notice from the consumer is made by mail, notification shall be 
complete upon receipt.

(d) ``Consumer'' defined

    For the purpose of this section, the term ``consumer'' includes the 
consumer's spouse, parent (if the consumer is a minor), guardian, 
executor, or administrator.

(Pub. L. 90-321, title VIII, Sec. 805, as added Pub. L. 95-109, Sept. 
20, 1977, 91 Stat. 876.)
