When a debt collector calls before 8 a.m. or threatens you at work, that is not just stressful. It is often against the law. If collectors are calling you day and night in Louisville, you have more power than they want you to know.
Nick Thompson has helped Louisville families stop creditor harassment since 1991. There are two ways to make the calls stop. Filing bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay that shuts off collection right away. Or, when a collector breaks federal law, you can take direct action under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This page explains both, what Kentucky law actually says, and how to get the phone to stop ringing. The first step is a free consultation.
What Counts as Illegal Creditor Harassment?
Not every call is illegal. But many common tactics are. Under the FDCPA, a debt collector cannot:
- Call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your local time.
- Call again and again just to wear you down.
- Threaten you with arrest or jail. Owing money is not a crime.
- Lie about how much you owe or who they are.
- Use foul or abusive language.
- Call your job after you tell them your employer does not allow it.
The FDCPA does not set an exact number of calls that counts as harassment. A pattern of repeated calls is what matters. So write down to keep a record and also record every call if possible. Save the voicemails and the letters. That record is what proves a violation later.
They Are Calling My Family and My Job. Can They Do That?
This is one of the most upsetting parts of collection, and the law is on your side. A collector can contact other people only to find your address or phone number. They cannot discuss your debt with your boss, your parents, or your neighbors. Calling the people around you to embarrass you is illegal.
Two protections matter most here. Once you tell a collector your job does not allow these calls, they must stop calling you at work. And once you hire an attorney, the collector must talk to your lawyer, not you. That alone ends most of the contact.
How Bankruptcy Stops the Calls Fast
The fastest way to stop almost all collection is to file bankruptcy. The moment your case is filed, a court order called the automatic stay takes effect. It orders creditors and collectors to stop. Stop calling. Stop suing. Stop garnishing your pay. They do not get a choice.
This works on most debts, including credit cards, medical bills, and old loans. It even stops the original company you borrowed from, which the FDCPA does not cover. Both Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy trigger the stay. Which bankruptcy Chapter fits depends on your income and what you want to protect.
Suing a Collector Under the FDCPA
Sometimes the collector is the one who broke the law. The FDCPA is a federal law passed in 1977. It controls how outside collection agencies and debt buyers can act. If a collector crossed the line, you can sue. If you win, you can recover up to $1,000 in statutory damages, plus any real losses and your attorney’s fees. You do not have to prove the calls cost you money to get the statutory amount.
There is a deadline. You generally have one year from the violation to file. So keep your records and act fast. One point trips people up: the FDCPA covers outside collectors, not the original creditor you borrowed from. Original creditors are not covered. But bankruptcy’s automatic stay still stops them.
Old Debt in Kentucky: They May Be Calling About a Debt They Cannot Sue You For
Kentucky gives collectors a long time to sue. For most written contracts signed after July 15, 2014, the limit is 10 years. For signed contracts before that date, it can be 15 years (KRS 413.160 and KRS 413.090). That is longer than many states. So a collector here may still be able to sue on a debt you forgot about. For negotiable instruments which can include a mortgage it may only be 6 years.
But there is a flip side. Once a debt is too old to sue on, it is called “time-barred.” Under the FDCPA, it is illegal for a collector to sue or threaten to sue you over a time-barred debt. Two traps to avoid. Never give a caller your bank account or Social Security number, because scammers pose as collectors. And do not make a quick payment on a very old debt. A single payment can restart the clock and hand the collector new time to sue. When you are not sure how old a debt is, talk to a lawyer first. See our breakdown of the Kentucky debt collection statute of limitations.
What If the IRS or the Kentucky Department of Revenue Is After You?
Not every “creditor” is a collection agency. Sometimes it is the IRS or the Kentucky Department of Revenue. The FDCPA does not cover government tax collectors. But bankruptcy’s automatic stay still stops most tax levies and garnishments while your case is open.
Tax debt is its own world. Nick Thompson is a former tax prosector. He holds U.S. Tax Court License #51, which is rare among Louisville bankruptcy attorneys. Some income taxes more than three years old can even be wiped out in bankruptcy. If a tax agency is the one hounding you, that is worth a close look. Learn more about income taxes and bankruptcy.
Will Stopping the Calls Erase the Debt?
Here is the honest part. Stopping the calls and erasing the debt are two different things. A cease-and-desist letter or an FDCPA claim can make the calls stop. But the debt is still there. Bankruptcy is different. It can wipe out or reorganize the debt itself, which is why it ends the calls for good.
Debt settlement is another path, but it has trade-offs, Debt settlment can create a tax debt for the forgiven amount as income. It can be a scam, it often fails bills and it will also damage credit because the debt was not paid in full. The right move depends on your full picture.
Why Work With Nick Thompson
When you call this office, you work with Nick Thompson himself. He has filed Kentucky bankruptcy cases since 1988, and he personally prepares every petition. Your case is not handed to a paralegal. He meets clients at his Louisville office at 800 Stone Creek Parkway, Suite 6, and files cases at the Gene Snyder Courthouse in Louisville.
The office helps people across Jefferson, Oldham, Bullitt, Spencer, Nelson, and Meade counties. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with weekend appointments available when you need them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a debt collector call me before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.?
No. Under the FDCPA, collectors cannot call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your local time without your okay. A call at 7:30 a.m. or 10 p.m. can be a violation. Write down the date and time, then call our office at 502-625-0905.
Do you help people outside Louisville, like Oldham or Bullitt County?
Yes. The office serves clients in Jefferson, Oldham, Bullitt, Spencer, Nelson, and Meade counties. All cases are filed at the Gene Snyder Courthouse in Louisville. A free consultation is the first step.
How many calls counts as harassment?
The FDCPA does not set a number. What matters is a pattern of repeated calls meant to annoy or pressure you. Keep a log of every call and save the voicemails. That record is the proof.
Will my boss find out?
A collector cannot tell your employer about your debt. Once you say your job does not allow these calls, they must stop calling you at work. Hiring an attorney moves all contact to your lawyer.
Is the consultation really free?
Yes. Nick Thompson meets with you at no cost to review your options. There is no pressure to file. You will leave knowing where you stand. Call 502-625-0905.
What is the difference between creditor harassment and a wage garnishment? Harassment is the calls, letters, and threats. A garnishment is when a creditor takes money straight from your paycheck after winning a lawsuit. We handle both. See our page on how to stop a wage garnishment.
Take Back Your Phone
You do not have to take the calls one more day. The sooner you act, the sooner the phone stops ringing. Nick Thompson will look at who is calling, whether they broke the law, and which path stops them fastest. Call 502-625-0905 for a free consultation, or reach out online. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with weekend appointments when you need them.
Resources for Bankruptcy
Louisville Kentucky Bankruptcy Forms
Credit Counseling to Meet Bankruptcy Requirements
Chapter 11 Business Bankruptcy Information
Short Sale Checklist in Louisville Kentucky
List of Debtor Duties in Chapter 13 for Louisville Kentucky
Tax and Bankruptcy Lawyer for Business Trust and Income Tax
If you are thinking about filing bankruptcy, don’t delay because timing is crucial. I am here to help you. So, contact my office right away to start the conversation. Nick C. Thompson, Bankruptcy Lawyer: 502-625-0905.