I heard most of this from the media. There are different types of things that debt collectors can and cannot do. When calling people to get money that is owed. Here’s a short list afterwards are some links of additional information. I found out. I hope will be of use.

– Cannot contact before 8 am or 9 pm. if do, start making a log. Time, date, who contacted you.
– cannot contact at work after you told them they cannot.
– No threats of violence or harm
– Cannot publicize who hasn’t paid.
– Cannot swear
– Can’t use phone to pester someone
– Cannot identify themselves as government.
– Can’t falsely report they represent a credit agency.
– Cannot be arrested.
– Cannot sell or garnish land/property unless they have a court / summons. If not received summons.
– Cannot post check early.
– A person do a ‘cease and desist’ by phone. Can pay the original debtor not the bill collector

Here are some other resources to check out besides what I heard hear.
http://www.nclc.org/images/pdf/older_consumers/english_brochures/eng_dealing_with_debt.pdf
http://www.har.com/Houston-Real-Estate-Blogs/31575/New-Rules-for-Debt-Collectors
http://blogs.har.com/1277/18459/Houston-Short-Sales:-Is-this-debt-collector-breaking-federal-law
http://www.alabamaconsumer.com/2012/02/radio-interview-on-debt-collectors-and-credit-reports/#
http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Collection-Calls
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/If_a_lawyer_says_he_has_taken_over_a_charged_off_credit_card_debt_and_will_sue_you_unless_he_can_collect_should_you_pay_him
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/8006200371/11