How long can a debt collector attempt to collect a debt?

In North Carolina, a debt collector generally has up to six years to attempt to collect a debt. This six year time frame is based on the period of time known as the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations begins to run from the date that the debt became due and payable. This means that if a debt is due on January 1st, then the debt collector has up to six years from that date to attempt to collect the debt. It is important to note that the six year period begins from the date the debt became due, not the date the debt is charged off. It is also important to remember that the statute of limitations only applies to collecting a debt; it does not prevent a debt collector from attempting to collect a debt. If a debt is not paid within six years, it does not mean that the debt is “erased” or forgotten—there is still a legal obligation to pay the debt, even after the statute of limitations has expired. Additionally, depending on the type of debt, the statute of limitations may be even shorter or longer than six years. It is important to verify the statute of limitations of a particular debt to ensure that it is being collected within a legal timeframe.

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How long can a debt collector attempt to collect a debt?

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