Recovery agent calling at night: time limits and how to complain

A recovery agent calling at night is breaking RBI's rules, unless you asked for that time. Recovery calls and visits are allowed only between 8 am and 7 pm. This guide is for borrowers getting late-night, early-morning or non-stop calls. It explains what counts as a violation, how to build a call log that holds up, and how to complain so that the calls stop.

What time can recovery agents call?

Agents may contact you only between 8 am and 7 pm. RBI's rules set this limit, and its Directions of 6 August 2026, effective 1 January 2027, repeat it as 08:00 to 19:00 hours. Calling earlier or later is allowed only if you have expressly requested or authorised it. The limit applies however overdue the loan is.

Recovery agent calling at night and other banned call patterns

RBI has not set a fixed number of calls per day. Excessive calling is judged on the facts, which is why your log matters.

How to make a call log that holds up

Keep one note or spreadsheet, and add to it each day. Screenshots of your phone's call history should show the number, date and time. Add these columns:

• Date and exact time of the call or message.
• Number that called, and any name or agency given.
• Lender and loan account mentioned.
• What was said, in a line, and any recording file name.
• Whether it was outside 8 am to 7 pm.

Two weeks of entries often say more than any description. Our guide on recording calls explains how to keep them safely.

How to stop a recovery agent calling at night

1. 1Tell the caller once, and calmly: "Please call only between [time] and [time]. Send anything else in writing." RBI's 2026 Directions say a request to avoid a particular time should be honoured in normal circumstances.
2. 2Email the lender's grievance redressal officer with your log and screenshots. Ask for the agency's name and for the calls to stop.
3. 3Keep the complaint number and the date you sent it.
4. 4If the complaint is not resolved in 30 days, or you are unhappy with the reply, file with the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in. You have 90 days from the end of those 30 days, or from the lender's last reply, so do not wait.
5. 5If a call contains threats, go to the police. Do not wait for the 30 days.

Complaint text you can copy

Subject: Recovery calls outside permitted hours, loan account [number]. Dear Grievance Redressal Officer, I have received recovery calls outside the hours of 8 am to 7 pm on the dates and times in the attached log, without any request from me. Please stop these calls, tell me in writing which agency handles my account, and preserve the call records. I remain willing to discuss the dues in writing. [Name, phone, date]

Can you block recovery agent numbers?

Yes, blocking a number is your choice. Save a screenshot first, since blocking can make records harder to retrieve. Blocking does not change what you owe, and you may miss genuine contact from the lender, so give the lender a written channel such as email. Do not ignore letters or notices that arrive by post.

What changes from 1 January 2027

Lenders will have to log the time and number of recovery calls, and record their content. Records must be kept for six months from the date of the call, or until a pending case ends. Ask the lender to preserve these records when you complain, because they can settle a dispute over who said what.

Conclusion: a recovery agent calling at night has broken the rules

A recovery agent calling at night has broken a clear limit, and the proof is on your phone. Keep a dated log, write to the lender, and go to the RBI Ombudsman if nothing changes. If you want the calls handled for you, our legal experts can take over communication with the lender and work on settling the genuine dues in writing.