---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 1692c"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "1692c"
heading: "Communication in connection with debt collection"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/1692c"
units:
  - "Chapter 41 — Consumer Credit Protection"
  - "Subchapter V — Debt Collection Practices"
---

# §1692c. Communication in connection with debt collection

- (a) **Communication with the consumer generally—** Without the prior consent of the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) given directly to the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, a [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) may not communicate with a [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) in connection with the collection of any [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5)—
  - (1) at any unusual time or place or a time or place known or which should be known to be inconvenient to the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3). In the absence of knowledge of circumstances to the contrary, a [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) shall assume that the convenient time for communicating with a [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) is after 8 o’clock antemeridian and before 9 o’clock postmeridian, local time at the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3)’s location;
  - (2) if the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) knows the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) is represented by an attorney with respect to such [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5) 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](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=2) from the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) or unless the attorney consents to direct [communication](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=2) with the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3); or
  - (3) at the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3)’s place of employment if the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) knows or has reason to know that the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3)’s employer prohibits the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) from receiving such [communication](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=2).
- (b) **Communication with third parties—** Except as provided in [section 1692b of this title](/usc/15/1692b.md), without the prior consent of the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) given directly to the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6), or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, or as reasonably necessary to effectuate a postjudgment judicial remedy, a [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) may not communicate, in connection with the collection of any [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5), with any [person](/usc/15/1602.md?p=e) other than the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3), his attorney, a [consumer reporting agency](/usc/15/1681a.md?p=f) if otherwise permitted by law, the [creditor](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=4), the attorney of the [creditor](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=4), or the attorney of the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6).
- (c) **Ceasing communication—** If a [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) notifies a [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) in writing that the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) refuses to pay a [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5) or that the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) wishes the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) to cease further [communication](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=2) with the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3), the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) shall not communicate further with the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) with respect to such [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5), except—
  - (1) to advise the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) that the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6)’s further efforts are being terminated;
  - (2) to notify the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) that the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) or [creditor](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=4) may invoke specified remedies which are ordinarily invoked by such [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) or [creditor](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=4); or
  - (3) where applicable, to notify the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) that the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) or [creditor](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=4) intends to invoke a specified remedy.

  If such notice from the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) is made by mail, notification shall be complete upon receipt.

- (d) **“Consumer” defined—** For the purpose of this section, the term “[consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3)” includes the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3)’s spouse, parent (if the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) is a minor), guardian, executor, or [administrator](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1).

## Source credit

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

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective upon the expiration of six months after Sept. 20, 1977, see section 819 of Pub. L. 90–321, as added by Pub. L. 95–109, set out as a note under section 1692 of this title.