What is the statute of limitations for filing a complaint against a debt collector?
In Washington, the statute of limitations for filing a complaint against a debt collector is three years from the date of the violation or from the date the consumer discovered or should have discovered the violation. This means that if the debt collector has violated the consumer fraud laws in Washington, a consumer must file a legal complaint against the debt collector within three years of the date of the violation or within three years of their discovery of it. It is important to note that a complaint should be filed within the statute of limitations and not afterwards. This is because, in most cases, filing a complaint after the statute of limitations has expired will not be accepted, and any attempt to do so will likely be in vain. This rule applies to all kinds of consumer fraud cases, not just those involving debt collectors. It is also important to note that the statute of limitations may vary from state to state, so it is important to be aware of the applicable laws in the state in which the consumer resides. Additionally, some attorneys may be able to take advantage of something called ‘tolling’ which can extend the amount of time a consumer has to file a complaint. It is best to seek legal advice when making these decisions.
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