Can a debt collector attempt to collect a debt that’s past the statute of limitations?

In Washington, a debt collector cannot attempt to collect a debt that is past the statute of limitations. This is because the statute of limitations is a legal limit on how long creditors or debt collectors can pursue a debt in court. Generally, in Washington, the statute of limitations is 6 years on contracts, 3 years on most other debts, and 2 years on oral contracts. After the applicable statute of limitations, a creditor or debt collector cannot sue a customer for the debt. However, even though a creditor or debt collector cannot sue a customer for the debt, they can still try to collect the debt past the statute of limitations. This is known as “time-barred debts” and a creditor or debt collector may still contact you to ask you to pay, even though they cannot legally pursue the debt in court. If a creditor or debt collector attempts to collect a debt that is past the statute of limitations in Washington, you can tell them that the debt is too old and that they are no longer legally allowed to collect it. You can also send them a cease and desist letter or send a complaint to the Washington State Attorney General’s Office. It is important to note that even if the debt is past the statute of limitations, the debt is still legally yours and must be paid. Therefore, if you can afford to pay the debt, you should do so as soon as possible.

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Can a debt collector attempt to collect a debt that’s past the statute of limitations?

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