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

# §1692d. Harassment or abuse


A [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) may not engage in any conduct the natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any [person](/usc/15/1602.md?p=e) in connection with the collection of a [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5). 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](/usc/15/1602.md?p=e), reputation, or property of any [person](/usc/15/1602.md?p=e).
- (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](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) who allegedly refuse to pay [debts](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5), except to a [consumer reporting agency](/usc/15/1681a.md?p=f) or to [persons](/usc/15/1602.md?p=e) meeting the requirements of section [1681a(f)](/usc/15/1681a.md?p=f) or [1681b(3)](/usc/15/1681b.md)[^1] of this title.
- (4) The advertisement for sale of any [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5) to coerce payment of the [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5).
- (5) Causing a telephone to ring or engaging any [person](/usc/15/1602.md?p=e) in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with intent to annoy, abuse, or harass any [person](/usc/15/1602.md?p=e) at the called number.
- (6) Except as provided in [section 1692b of this title](/usc/15/1692b.md), the placement of telephone calls without meaningful disclosure of the caller’s identity.

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

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

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### 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, § 2403(a)(1), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–430.

### 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.