Federal · Title 15 — Commerce and Trade

15 U.S.C. § 1692d: Harassment or abuse

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Defines harassment or abuse as using or threatening violence, obscene language, publishing debt-refusal lists, advertising debts for coercion, making harassing phone calls, or calling without disclosing identity.

Read the full statutory text

The use or threat of use of violence or other criminal means to harm the physical person, reputation, or property of any person. The use of obscene or profane language or language the natural consequence of which is to abuse the hearer or reader. The publication of a list of consumers who allegedly refuse to pay debts, except to a consumer reporting agency or to persons meeting the requirements of section 1681a(f) or 1681b(3) 1 of this title. 1 See References in Text note below. The advertisement for sale of any debt to coerce payment of the debt. Causing a telephone to ring or engaging any person in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with intent to annoy, abuse, or harass any person at the called number. Except as provided in section 1692b of this title , the placement of telephone calls without meaningful disclosure of the caller’s identity.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.