Perspectives

If you’re dealing with old debts, you might be wondering whether a debt collector can still sue you. The answer lies in something called the statute of limitations-a legal time limit for debt collectors to take action.

What is the Statute of Limitations on Debt?

That statute of limitations is the period during which a creditor or debt collector can legally sue you to collect on a debt. After this period passes, your debt is considered “time-barred”, and while you may still owe the money, a collector cannot sue you in court to enforce the debt.

How Long is the Statute of Limitations?

In general, debt collectors or creditors have 6 years from the date of your last payment or acknowledgment of the debt to file a lawsuit. This means if you haven’t made a payment or admitted to owing the debt in that time, they may be out of legal options to collect through the courts.

What Can Restart the Clock?

It’s important to be cautious-certain actions can restart the 6 year clock:

• Making a payment: Any payment-no matter how small-resets the 6 year statute of limitations.
• Acknowledging the Debt: Simply admitting that you owe the money (even in a phone call) or asking for more time to pay can restart the clock.

These seemingly small actions can give debt collectors a fresh opportunity to sue.

What if a Debt Collector Still Sues?

Just because a debt is time-barred doesn’t mean a collector won’t try to sue. A lawsuit officially starts when you’re served with a summons and complaint-not when it’s filed in court.

If this happens, you must respond-usually within 20 days-by serving an answer and asserting the statute of limitations as a defense. If you don’t respond, the court could enter a default judgment against you, even if the debt is legally uncollectible.

What Happens if a Judgment is Entered?

A judgment gives the deebt collector powerful tools to collect the debt, such as:

• Placing a lien on your real property
• Garnishing wages
• Levying your bank account

A Word of Caution

While the statute of limitations can protect you from being sued for old debt, relying on it as a strategy to avoid your obligations is risky. The creditor can sue at any point within the 6-year window, and unpaid debts can damage your credit for up to 7 years-or even longer for certain types of debt like student loans and tax debt.

Final Thoughts

If you’re unsure about the status of debt or have been contacted by a collector, don’t go it alone. Understanding your rights-and your risks-can help you make informed decisions. In some cases, seeking legal guidance can help you protect yoruself and your financial future.

WFJ can help with that. 

Your credit report plays a crucial role in your financial well-being. It can impact your ability to secure loans, rent an apartment, and even land a job. To ensure that consumer credit information is accurate, fair, and private, the federal government enacted the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Understanding your rights under this law can help you protect your financial reputation and take action if inaccuracies arise.

What is the Fair Credit Reporting Act?

The Fair Credit Reporting ACt is a federal law designed to promote the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of consumer information held by consumer reporting agencies, commonly known as credit bureaus. The three major consumer reporting agencies in the U.S. are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Key Consumer Rights Under the FCRA

Here’s a breakdown of your most important rights under the FCRA:

You Must Be Notified if Information in Your Report is Used Against You: If a company or lender denies your application for credit, insurance, employment or other benefits based on information in your credit report, they must notif you. They are also required to provide the name, address, and phone number of the credit bureau that supplied the information.

You Have the Right to Know What’s in Your Credit File: You are entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three major credit bureaus. To accesss your free reports, visit AnnualCreditReport.com. You may also request a free report it:

• You’ve been denied credit due to your report
• You are a victim of identity theft
• Your file contains fraudulent or inaccurate information
• You are on public assistance

You Can Dispute Inaccurate or Incomplete Information: If you find errors on your credit report, you have the right to dispute them. The credit bureau must investigate your claim unless they determine it to be frivoulous. If the information is incorrect, the agency must correct or delete it, usually within 30 days.

Outdated Negative Information Cannot be Reported: Consumer reporitng agencies are prohibited from reporting negative credit information beyond a certain timeframe:

• Most negative information: Cannot be reported after seven years
• Bankruptcies: Cannot be reported after 10 years

Employers Must Have Your Permission to Access Your Credit Report: If an employer wants to check your credit report for hiring or employment purposes, they must obtain your written consent before doing so.

You Have the Right to Seek Action Against Violators: If a credit bureau, lender, or company violates the FCRA, you may have the right to sue in state or federal court. This could allow you to recover damages for any harm caused by incorrect or improperly shared information.

Take Control of Your Credit Health

Your credit report is a vital financial tool, and errors can have serious consequences. By regularly reviewing your credit reports and understanding your FCRA rights, you can take proactive steps to ensure your financial reputation remains intact.

If you believe your FCRA rights have been violated or need assisstane disputing inaccuracies, consider reaching out to a trusted legal professional to guide you through the process. Don’t hesitate to seek legal counsel if you believe your credit report has been unfairly used against you.