Which of the following practices is considered unethical in debt collection?

The practice of contacting a debtor late at night without proper consent is considered unethical in debt collection due to the potential for harassment and the violation of the debtor's personal space and peace. Debt collectors are expected to adhere to guidelines that prevent them from contacting individuals at unreasonable hours, typically defined as outside of normal business hours, which generally means before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. This protects debtors from undue stress and maintains respect for their privacy, aligning with ethical standards in the financial and collections industries.

Polite language and professional communication are expected as part of ethical conduct, and offering payment plans to debtors demonstrates flexibility and understanding rather than coercion. Requesting immediate payment upon contact is not inherently unethical; it depends on the circumstances, such as when it is part of an agreed-upon collection strategy. In contrast, contacting debtors late at night without consent goes directly against the ethical principles designed to protect consumers' well-being.