Can a debt collector sue me after the statute of limitations has expired?

In Maryland, the statute of limitations (SOL) on debt collections is generally three years. This means that debt collectors have three years from the date that the debt was first due to sue a consumer. After the SOL has expired, debt collectors cannot sue the consumer. However, debt collectors can still attempt to collect the debt even after the SOL has expired. This is because creditors do not need to sue consumers in order to collect a debt. For example, they may send letters, call, or even garnish wages without going to court. In addition, consumers should be aware that the SOL on debt collections can be extended. For example, if the consumer acknowledges the debt or makes a payment on the debt, the statute of limitations can be “reset,” allowing the debt collector to sue the consumer even after the SOL has expired. Finally, consumers should also note that in Maryland, the SOL on certain types of debt, such as student loan debt, is longer than the 3-year SOL for other types of debt. In these cases, debt collectors may still sue consumers even if more than 3 years have passed since the debt was due. In conclusion, it is possible for debt collectors to sue consumers after the SOL has expired. However, this is only true if the SOL has either been extended or if the debt is of a type with a longer SOL than the 3 years normally applicable. Consumers should be aware of these potential exceptions to the statute of limitations when deciding how to handle a debt.

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