Can a debt collector call and text me non-stop all day?

Last updated: 2026-07-11 · Educational content; not legal advice.

Short answer

No. Repeated calls or messages made to annoy, abuse, or harass you are an unfair debt-collection practice under SEC Memorandum Circular 18 (2019), on top of the separate rule that bars contact before 6:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. There is no fixed legal 'number of calls per day,' so the way to prove harassment is to document the pattern: a call log showing dozens of calls in a single day, or a barrage of texts, is strong evidence for a SEC complaint. Contact so persistent and tormenting that its only purpose is to distress you can also be unjust vexation (Revised Penal Code, Article 287).

Primary sources

Frequently asked

Is there a legal limit on how many times they can call?

SEC MC 18 does not set a numeric cap, but it prohibits contact meant to annoy, abuse, or harass. Courts and the SEC look at the pattern — frequency, timing, and intent — so a documented flood of calls in a short window supports a harassment finding.

How do I document it?

Export or screenshot your call log and message threads with visible timestamps, and note any calls falling before 6 a.m. or after 10 p.m., which independently violate SEC MC 18. Keep the records for your complaint.

Can I make them stop while I sort out the debt?

Yes. Send a written cease-and-desist demanding contact only in writing at reasonable hours (see /answer/how-do-i-send-a-cease-and-desist-letter-to-a-debt-collector). Continued spamming after that strengthens your SEC case.