Is there a statute of limitations on debt collection?
Yes, there is a statute of limitations on debt collection in Washington. The state has a six-year statute of limitations on collection of most debt. This means that after six years, the debt is considered "time-barred" and the creditor cannot use legal action to collect. However, if the debt is unpaid after six years, the creditor can still report it to the credit bureaus, and the debtor may still be responsible for paying the debt. In addition, Washington also has a three-year statute of limitations on consumer debts like credit card bills, medical bills, and utility bills. This means that creditors cannot use legal action to collect these types of consumer debts after three years. It is important to note that the statute of limitations is the time period in which creditors can legally pursue a debt. It does not mean that the debt is forgiven or canceled. The statute of limitations simply sets the limits for how long creditors can pursue the debt. Even if the debt is time-barred, the debtor may still be responsible for paying the debt.
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