Can debt collectors discuss my debt with my children?

Published: Thursday, August 31, 2006

No, not without prior consent from the consumer. Under Section 805(b) of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a debt collector may not communicate in connection with the collection of any debt with any person other than the consumer, the consumer's attorney, a consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, the attorney of the creditor or the attorney of the debt collector. A collector may not reveal the existence of a debt to any other party in connection with the collection of the debt unless the consumer gives prior consent directly to the debt collector, a court of competent jurisdiction gives its express permission, or it is reasonably necessary to carry out a post-judicial remedy. Therefore, a debt collector may not discuss a consumer debt with the consumer's employer and coworkers, friends, neighbors, and relatives (excluding the consumer's spouse).