Alorica is a call center that collects debts on behalf of other companies

Alorica is a third-party debt collection agency that contacts people by phone on behalf of creditors, lenders, and other businesses. They do not own the debt — they work as contractors for the original creditor or for debt buyers who purchased your account. When you receive a call from Alorica, it means someone you owe money to has hired them to collect.

Alorica operates call centers across the United States and handles collections for credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, and other consumer debts. The company is large enough that many people receive calls from them, but that size does not change your rights or what you can do about the calls.

If you are receiving calls from Alorica, you have legal protections under federal law. Understanding what those protections are and how to use them is the first step toward stopping unwanted contact or resolving the debt itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Alorica calls on behalf of creditors and debt buyers, not as the original creditor, which affects what information they must provide and what they can do.
  • You can request in writing that Alorica stop calling you, and they must comply within five business days under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
  • Alorica must provide you with the name of the original creditor, the amount owed, and proof of the debt if you request it in writing within 30 days of first contact.
  • If you believe Alorica has violated collection laws — calling before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., calling repeatedly, or misrepresenting the debt — you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
  • Paying or promising to pay a debt to Alorica may restart the statute of limitations in your state, so understand your state's rules before responding to collection calls.

What Alorica can and cannot do when they call

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that sets strict rules for how Alorica and other third-party collectors must behave. They cannot call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your time zone. They cannot call your workplace if your employer has told them your employer does not allow personal calls. They cannot call repeatedly in a short period or use abusive language.

Alorica also cannot threaten you with arrest, wage garnishment, or property seizure unless they actually have the legal right to do those things. They cannot tell you the debt is yours if they have not verified it. They cannot contact your family members, friends, or neighbors to discuss your debt — they can only contact those people to find your contact information, and they must tell those people they are looking for you.

What Alorica can do is call you at home, on your cell phone, or at work (if allowed). They can discuss the debt with you directly. They can tell you that legal action may be taken if you do not pay. They can report the debt to credit bureaus. They can sell the debt to another collector if they have not collected it.

How to stop Alorica from calling you

You have the right to tell Alorica to stop calling you. Send a written request to the address on your bill, on their website, or in any letter they sent you. Email is not enough — it must be a letter, postcard, or certified mail. In the letter, state clearly that you are requesting that Alorica cease all contact with you regarding this debt.

Alorica must stop calling within five business days of receiving your written request. After that, they can only contact you to confirm they have stopped or to tell you they are taking legal action (such as filing a lawsuit). They cannot call to collect the debt.

Stopping the calls does not erase the debt or stop them from suing you. It only stops the phone contact. If you want to resolve the debt itself, you will need to contact them or the original creditor directly, or you may want to speak with a lawyer about your options.

Requesting proof that the debt is yours

When Alorica first contacts you, you have 30 days to request proof of the debt in writing. This is called a "debt validation request." Send a letter to Alorica stating that you are requesting validation of the debt and ask them to provide the original creditor's name, the amount owed, and proof that the debt is yours (such as a copy of the original contract or account statement).

Alorica must respond within 30 days with the information or they must stop collection efforts. If they cannot prove the debt is yours, they should not continue calling. Keep a copy of your request and note the date you sent it. If you send it certified mail with return receipt, you will have proof they received it.

This step is important because debt buyers sometimes purchase accounts with incomplete records, and collectors sometimes call the wrong person. Requesting validation gives you a way to confirm the debt is actually yours before you pay anything or agree to a payment plan.

Understanding the statute of limitations on your debt

Every state has a statute of limitations — a time limit for how long a creditor or collector can sue you over a debt. This period varies by state and by the type of debt, ranging from three to ten years in most states. You can find your state's rules by searching "[your state] statute of limitations on debt" or by asking a lawyer.

The statute of limitations does not erase the debt or stop Alorica from calling. It only means that after the time limit passes, they cannot win a lawsuit against you. However, if you make a payment on the debt or promise in writing to pay it, the clock may restart in many states, giving them a new window to sue.

Before you respond to Alorica's calls or agree to pay anything, find out your state's statute of limitations. If the debt is very old, paying it could be a costly mistake. A lawyer or your state's attorney general's office can tell you whether the debt is still within the time limit to sue.

Filing a complaint if Alorica violates the law

If Alorica has called you repeatedly, called outside the allowed hours, used threatening language, or otherwise violated the FDCPA, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Go to consumerfinance.gov and use their complaint tool. You can also file a complaint with your state's attorney general's office.

Keep records of every call from Alorica: the date, time, what was said, and whether you asked them to stop. If you have a phone that records calls, save those recordings (check your state's laws on recording — some states require both parties to consent). These records are evidence if you need to prove a violation.

You can also sue Alorica in small claims court or hire a lawyer to sue them in civil court if they have violated the FDCPA. Many lawyers who handle these cases work on contingency, meaning they take payment only if you win. The FDCPA allows you to recover up to $1,000 per violation, plus actual damages and attorney fees.

What happens if Alorica sues you

If Alorica files a lawsuit against you, you will receive a summons and complaint in the mail. This is a formal legal document, not just a collection letter. You must respond within the time stated in the summons (usually 20 to 30 days, depending on your state) or you will lose by default.

If you receive a lawsuit, do not ignore it. Contact a lawyer or your local legal aid office when ready. Many people lose collection lawsuits straightforward because they did not respond. If you lose, Alorica can ask the court for a judgment, which allows them to garnish your wages, freeze your bank account, or place a lien on your property (rules vary by state).

In court, you can challenge whether the debt is actually yours, whether Alorica has the right to collect it, or whether the amount is correct. You can also raise defenses based on how old the debt is or whether Alorica has violated the law in collecting it. A lawyer can help you understand your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Alorica call my family or friends about my debt?

No. Alorica can contact family members or friends only to find your phone number or address. They must tell those people they are trying to locate you. They cannot discuss your debt with anyone except you, your spouse, your lawyer, or a credit counselor. If they have called your family to discuss the debt itself, that is a violation of the FDCPA.

What if I do not recognize the debt Alorica is calling about?

Send a written debt validation request when ready. Alorica must prove the debt is yours within 30 days or stop collection efforts. If the debt is not yours, it may be a case of mistaken identity, or your information may have been used fraudulently. A validation request forces them to show their proof before they continue.

If I pay Alorica, does that stop them from suing?

Paying the debt in full stops the lawsuit if one has already been filed. If no lawsuit has been filed yet, paying may prevent one. However, before you pay, confirm the amount is correct and understand whether paying will restart the statute of limitations in your state. A lawyer can advise you on whether paying is in your best interest.

Can I dispute the debt amount Alorica says I owe?

Yes. Request validation of the debt in writing and ask them to provide the original contract or account statements showing how they calculated the amount. If the amount includes interest, fees, or other charges added by Alorica or the original creditor, you can challenge whether those charges are legal under your loan agreement or state law.

What should I do if Alorica keeps calling after I asked them to stop?

Document every call with the date, time, and any message left. Send a second written request to stop, this time by certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery. File a complaint with the CFPB and your state's attorney general. Consider consulting a lawyer about suing Alorica for violating the FDCPA.