A debt collector is contacting me
See your rights when a debt collector contacts you, the time limit to dispute the debt, and prepare a letter you review and send yourself.
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General legal information from official sources, not legal advice. You decide what to do.
What this problem is
Federal law gives you the right to dispute a debt, to ask a debt collector to stop contacting you, and protection from being sued over debts that are too old. If you dispute in writing within 30 days of the validation notice, the collector must verify the debt before continuing.
Your rights in plain language
Dispute the debt
30 days from receiving the debt collector's validation notice
Verified source: 15 U.S.C. § 1692g — Validation of debts(opens in a new tab)
Ask them to stop
15 U.S.C. § 1692c(c). If you tell a debt collector in writing that you refuse to pay or want it to stop contacting you, it must stop, with limited exceptions.
Verified source: 15 U.S.C. § 1692c — Communication in connection with debt collection(opens in a new tab)
Old debts
California
12 CFR § 1006.26(b). A debt collector must not sue, or threaten to sue, to collect a debt that is past the statute of limitations.
Verified source: 12 CFR § 1006.26 — Collection of time-barred debts (Regulation F)(opens in a new tab)4 years from the date the claim arose (written contracts)
Verified source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337 — Actions on written contracts(opens in a new tab)
Florida
12 CFR § 1006.26(b). A debt collector must not sue, or threaten to sue, to collect a debt that is past the statute of limitations.
Verified source: 12 CFR § 1006.26 — Collection of time-barred debts (Regulation F)(opens in a new tab)5 years from the date the claim arose (written contracts)
Verified source: Fla. Stat. § 95.11 — Limitations other than for the recovery of real property(opens in a new tab)
New York
12 CFR § 1006.26(b). A debt collector must not sue, or threaten to sue, to collect a debt that is past the statute of limitations.
Verified source: 12 CFR § 1006.26 — Collection of time-barred debts (Regulation F)(opens in a new tab)
Texas
12 CFR § 1006.26(b). A debt collector must not sue, or threaten to sue, to collect a debt that is past the statute of limitations.
Verified source: 12 CFR § 1006.26 — Collection of time-barred debts (Regulation F)(opens in a new tab)4 years from the date the claim arose (debt)
Verified source: Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 16 — Limitations(opens in a new tab)
State law
California
Cal. Civ. Code § 1788.17. California's Rosenthal Act requires debt collectors, including original creditors, to follow the federal debt collection rules.
Verified source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1788.17 — Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act(opens in a new tab)
Florida
Fla. Stat. § 559.72. Florida's consumer collection law lists practices anyone collecting a consumer debt may not use, such as harassment or false threats.
Verified source: Fla. Stat. § 559.72 — Prohibited practices generally(opens in a new tab)
Texas
Tex. Fin. Code ch. 392. Texas law prohibits debt collectors from using threats, coercion and other unfair practices.
Verified source: Texas Finance Code, Chapter 392 — Debt Collection(opens in a new tab)
Key deadlines
| Place | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| California, Florida, New York, and Texas | Dispute the debt in writing to make the collector verify it: 30 days (receiving the debt collector's validation notice) | |
| California | 4 years (the date the claim arose (written contracts)) | |
| Florida | 5 years (the date the claim arose (written contracts)) | |
| Texas | 4 years (the date the claim arose (debt)) |
The official process
Read the validation notice
It tells you the amount, the creditor and how to dispute.
Dispute in writing within 30 days
If you think the debt is wrong, say so in writing and ask for verification.
Keep records
Keep every letter and a log of calls.
Report problems
Complain to the CFPB or your state attorney general if the collector breaks the rules.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring court papers: they have strict deadlines.
- Making a payment on an old debt before checking your rights.
- Disputing only by phone.
Rules where you live
- A debt collector is contacting me in California
- A debt collector is contacting me in Florida
- A debt collector is contacting me in New York
- A debt collector is contacting me in Texas
Somewhere else? Start the guided questions and choose your state: we'll show free information and people who can help.
Questions
Is this free?
The information on this page and your personalized results are free. If you want us to prepare a letter for you to review and send, the price is shown before you start.
Will asking them to stop make the debt go away?
No. It stops most contact, but the collector or creditor may still take other legal steps, such as a lawsuit.
Which states can you prepare a letter for?
Right now: Florida, California, New York and Texas. For other states we show free information and people who can help.
Get help from a person
Free and low-cost help, and official bodies that can step in.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: submit a complaintFederal complaints about credit cards, banks, lenders and debt collectors.
- LawHelp.orgPlain-language guides and legal aid directories, by state.
- Legal Services Corporation: find legal aidFree civil legal aid organizations in every state, for people on lower incomes.
- Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraudReport scams, fraud and bad business practices to the federal government.
Sources
Every rule on this page comes from these official sources. We check them regularly.
- 15 U.S.C. § 1692g — Validation of debtsU.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo) · checked Oct 24, 2026
- 15 U.S.C. § 1692c — Communication in connection with debt collectionU.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo) · checked Oct 24, 2026
- 12 CFR § 1006.26 — Collection of time-barred debts (Regulation F)Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School · checked Oct 24, 2026
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337 — Actions on written contractsCalifornia Office of Legislative Counsel · checked Oct 24, 2026
- Fla. Stat. § 95.11 — Limitations other than for the recovery of real propertyThe Florida Senate · checked Oct 24, 2026
- Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 16 — LimitationsTexas Legislative Council · checked Oct 24, 2026
- Cal. Civ. Code § 1788.17 — Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices ActCalifornia Office of Legislative Counsel · checked Oct 24, 2026
- Fla. Stat. § 559.72 — Prohibited practices generallyThe Florida Senate · checked Oct 24, 2026
- Texas Finance Code, Chapter 392 — Debt CollectionTexas Legislative Council · checked Oct 24, 2026
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