Is it legal for a collection agency to call?

[interloafer]

Is it legal for a collection agency to call a persons neighbors and leave messages? I received a phone call from a collection agency in N.C. about my neighbor and they wanted me to leave a message for them on their front door. Apparently, their phone has been disconnected (how convenient). It seems they just ran the address and started calling neighbors. Isn't this a an invasion of privacy or some other form of illegal business practice on the part of the collection agency? If so, which agency is it reportable to?

[Sumeraine]

I believe it is legal for them to call you to ask for your neighbor's phone number or to ask you to pass on a message but they can only call you once.

[ruthiecrue2]

I keep getting calls for my brother who has NEVER lived with me so i'm assuming he gave out my number as a second number. Diffrent collection agencies have been calling me and my mom because he keeps changing his phone number.I think it's legal.

[sangreal]

I think you should really check with a lawyer, years ago a friend of mine had the same problem and he was able to sue the company for public humiliation and invasion of privacy. check it out !!

[mj69catz]

Well, they can't tell you what it is about. They can call you and leave a message for your neighbor. If they told you more than their company name, then they are in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. But they are perfectly in their right to try to contact their debtor thru you. You are, however, in your right to refuse to assist them. By the way, they should not be rude or condescending or anything like that to you.