
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: 15USC1692d]

 
                      TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND TRADE
 
                 CHAPTER 41--CONSUMER CREDIT PROTECTION
 
                 SUBCHAPTER V--DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES
 
Sec. 1692d. Harassment or abuse

    A debt collector may not engage in any conduct the natural 
consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person in 
connection with the collection of a debt. Without limiting the general 
application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of 
this section:
        (1) The use or threat of use of violence or other criminal means 
    to harm the physical person, reputation, or property of any person.
        (2) The use of obscene or profane language or language the 
    natural consequence of which is to abuse the hearer or reader.
        (3) The publication of a list of consumers who allegedly refuse 
    to pay debts, except to a consumer reporting agency or to persons 
    meeting the requirements of section 1681a(f) or 1681b(3) \1\ of this 
    title.
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    \1\ See References in Text note below.
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        (4) The advertisement for sale of any debt to coerce payment of 
    the debt.
        (5) Causing a telephone to ring or engaging any person in 
    telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with intent to 
    annoy, abuse, or harass any person at the called number.
        (6) Except as provided in section 1692b of this title, the 
    placement of telephone calls without meaningful disclosure of the 
    caller's identity.

(Pub. L. 90-321, title VIII, Sec. 806, as added Pub. L. 95-109, Sept. 
20, 1977, 91 Stat. 877.)

                       References in Text

    Section 1681b(3) of this title, referred to in par. (3), was 
redesignated section 1681b(a)(3) of this title by Pub. L. 104-208, div. 
A, title II, Sec. 2403(a)(1), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009-430.
