Catherine’s: How to Handle Phone Harassment Over Your Comenity Card
If Catherine’s (via Comenity Bank) or its collection agents are calling you repeatedly—demanding payments, making threats, or contacting you at odd hours—you don’t have to take it. You have rights under federal and state laws that protect consumers from abusive debt collection practices. This article explains what harassment looks like, how to assert your rights, and how to stop the calls for good.
What Is Catherine’s Its Credit Strategy
Catherine’s offers a store credit card through Comenity Bank. When cardholders fall behind on payments, their accounts may be assigned to collection agencies. Those agencies are supposed to collect back what’s owed—but they must do so without violating your rights. Unfortunately, not all follow the rules.
Recognizing Harassing Behavior
Some debt collection practices cross the line into illegal harassment. Watch out for:
Multiple calls in one day or calls repeated over several days
Dialing outside reasonable hours (very early or very late)
Threats of lawsuits, wage garnishment, or arrest without proper basis
Sharing debt details with friends, family, coworkers, or your employer
Calling you at your workplace after you’ve asked them not to
Failing to validate the alleged debt in writing when requested
Continuing collection after you’ve disputed the debt
If Catherine’s collectors engage in these behaviors, they may be violating consumer protection laws.
Your Legal Protections
Rights Under the FDCPA
When dealing with third-party collectors, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) gives you important protections:
Validation right – You can demand written proof that the debt is yours, the amount owed, and documentation of the original creditor.
Limited calling hours – Collectors may not call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. unless you explicitly permit it.
Cease desist right – If you tell a collector in writing to stop contacting you, they must comply for most communications.
No harassment or threats – They can’t use profanity, threaten you unlawfully, or repeatedly call with intent to annoy.
Pause during dispute – If you formally dispute the debt in writing, collecting must halt until validation is provided.
Collectors who violate these rules can be held responsible and may owe you damages or legal costs.
Steps to Take Right Away
Document every interaction
Keep a log of calls, texts, letters, noting date, time, number, and content. Save messages and mail for evidence.Request written validation
Send a certified letter to Catherine’s or the collector demanding proof of the debt. Do not admit it—just request documentation.Issue a cease-and-desist notice
If harassment continues, send a written instruction asking them to stop contacting you, except for legally required notices.Submit complaints
Report wrongdoing to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and your state’s Attorney General’s consumer division.Consult a consumer law attorney
If harassment persists, an attorney can assess whether your rights have been violated and assist in legal enforcement or compensation.
If unwanted calls, repeated demands, or threats from Catherine’s are making life miserable, remember: you have lawful defenses. Learn more about your rights and next steps at Catherine’s Phone Harassment – Comenity Bank.
