State Law References
This addendum contains links to state-specific resources that provide an overview of debt collection, citations of state debt collection laws, and web addresses to access those citations online. It is not intended to give legal advice and may not be complete.
Remember that The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) (15 USC §§1692-1695) applies to collection agencies in all states. The full text of the FDCPA is found at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf
Arizona Administrative Code, Title 20, Article 15 - Collection agencies, operations
www.azsos.gov/public_services/Title_20/20-04.pdf Scroll down to Article 15, Collection Agencies
File a complaint: www.azag.gov/consumer/complaintform.html
Fair Debt Collection Practices Guide
www.ag.arkansas.gov/consumers_consumer_tips_fair_debt_collection.html
Arkansas Code Title 17, Chapter 24, Section 203 (17-24-203)
www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB2228.pdf
File a complaint: www.ag.arkansas.gov/consumers_consumer_complaints.html
Attorney General's Collection Agencies Guide
www.ag.ca.gov/consumers/general/collection_agencies10.htm
Department of Consumer Affairs Guide:
www.dca.ca.gov/publications/newsletter/spring2011.pdf
What to do if a Debt Collector Calls: www.dca.ca.gov/publications/debt_collectors.shtml
California Civil Code Section 1788, et seq.
http://leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=civ&group=01001-02000&file=1788-1788.3
http://leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=civ&group=01001-02000&file=1788.10-1788.18
http://leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=civ&group=01001-02000&file=1788.20-1788.22
http://leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=civ&group=01001-02000&file=1788.30-1788.33
File a complaint: http://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/collection_agencies10
Collection Agencies and Debt Collection
www.ago.state.co.us/CADC/CADCmain.cfm
Colorado Revised Statute Title 12, Article 14, Section 101, et seq. (12-14-101), Go to: www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/Colorado/ (NOTE: To access (1) agree to terms (2) select revised statutes (3) search term "debt collector")
Collection Agency Board: www.coloradoattorneygeneral.gov/departments/consumer_protection/uccc_cab/cab
File a complaint: www.coloradoattorneygeneral.gov/departments/consumer_protection/file_consumer_complaint
Connecticut
Connecticut Statute § 36a-805, Connecticut law about debt collection: www.jud.ct.gov/lawlib/Law/debt_collection.htm
File a complaint: www.ct.gov/ag/lib/ag/consumers/consumercomplaintform.pdf
How to Protect Yourself: Debt Collections/Consumer
Go to: http://myfloridalegal.com/consumer, click on What Florida Law Provides, click on the link 'For information on how to protect yourself against consumer fraud,' scroll down to Debt Collection.
Florida Statute Title 33, Chapter 559, Section 72, (33-559.552, et seq.)
www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2010/Chapter559/Part_VI
File a complaint: http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/Main/60FD9BD8FA71A5B185256CD1005EE5C5
Georgia
Title 18, Debtor and Creditor, www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/gacode/Default.asp (NOTE: To acess (1) select ok (2) select Title 18, Debtor and Creditor)
Department of Consumer Affairs, http://consumer.ga.gov/consumer-topics/debt-collectors
File a complaint: : http://consumer.georgia.gov/consumer-services/filing-a-complaint
Hawaii Code § 433b, www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol10_Ch0436-0474/HRS0443B/HRS_0443B-.htm
File a complaint: http://hawaii.gov/dcca/ocp/consumer_complaint
Consumer Protection Manual, www.ag.idaho.gov/publications/consumer/CreditAndDebt.pdf
Title 26, Chapter 22
www.legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title26/T26CH22.htm
File a complaint: www.ag.idaho.gov/consumerProtection/forms/ComplaintFormInformation.html
Debt Collection, Illinois Attorney General, www.ag.state.il.us/consumers/debtcollection.html
Illinois Compiled Statute, Chapter 225, Section 425
www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp
File a complaint: www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/filecomplaint.html
Fair Debt Collection Guide
www.in.gov/dfi/2588.htm
Indiana Code Title 25, Article11
www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title25/ar11/
File a complaint: www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/2434.htm
Iowa
Iowa Attorney General's Guide to Debt Collection
www.iowaattorneygeneral.org/consumer/consumer_tips/debt_collect.html
Iowa State Code Sections 537.7103(1) - 7103(6), http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/Cool-ICE/default.asp?category=billinfo&service=IowaCode&ga=83
File a complaint: www.iowa.gov/government/ag/file_complaint/online_complaint_form.html
Kansas
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 16a-5-107 (UCCC), www.kansaslegalservices.org/taxonomy/term/1489
File a complaint: http://ag.ks.gov/contact-us/file-a-complaint
Louisiana Revised Statute Title 9, Section 5362
http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=107679
File a complaint:
www.ag.state.la.us/Article.aspx?articleID=36&catID=15
Debt Collector FAQ
www.maine.gov/pfr/consumercredit/faqs/debt_collector_faq.htm
Maine Revised Statute, Title 32, Chapter 109-A
www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/32/title32ch109-Asec0.html
File a complaint: www.maine.gov/ag/contact.html
Dealing with Debt Collectors Guide
www.oag.state.md.us/consumer/edge117.htm
Maryland Code § 14-2 (Click Commercial Law folder, then Subtitle 14)
http://www.michie.com/maryland/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&cp=mdcode
Maryland Business Regulation Code, Title 7, Subtitle 1, www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/mdcode/
File a complaint: www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/complaint.htm
Mass. General Law, Part 1, Title XV, Chapter 93, Sections 24-28 & Section 49
http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/gl-93-toc.htm
Code of Massachusettes Regulations, 940 CMR 7
www.lawlib.state.ma.us/source/mass/cmr/940cmr.html
Mass Laws about Debt Collectors, www.lawlib.state.ma.us/subject/about/debt.html
File a complaint: www.mass.gov/ago/consumer-resources/consumer-assistance/consumer-complaint.html
Michigan Compiled Law, Chapter 445, Act 70 of 1981
www.michiganlegislature.org/mileg.asp?page=getObject&objName=mcl-Act-70-of-1981
File a complaint: http://michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-164-17331-42077--,00.html
Know Your Rights: Guard Yourself Against Debt Collectors
http://www.ag.state.mn.us/consumer/
Minnesota Statute Chapter 332, Section 37 (332.37)
www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/getpub.php?type=s&num=332.37&year=2006
File a complaint: www.ag.state.mn.us/Consumer/Complaint.asp (scroll down)
Missouri Dept. of Finance - Debt Collection Problems? http://finance.mo.gov/consumers/debt_collection.php
File a complaint: http://ago.mo.gov/consumercomplaint.htm
Nebraska
Nebraska Code § 45-601 through § 46-622, http://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=45-601
File a complaint: www.ago.ne.gov/complaint
Nevada
Neveda Chapter 659, www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-649.html
File a complaint: http://ag.state.nv.us/about/complaints/complaints.html
New Hampshire Revised Statute, Title XXXI, Chapter 358-C (358-C:1)
www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/NHTOC/NHTOC-XXXI-358-C.htm
Department of Justice Consumer Sourcebook, http://doj.nh.gov/consumer/sourcebook/credit-debt-collection.htm
File a complaint: www.doj.nh.gov/consumer/complaints/index.htm
Annotated Code of New Mexico, Chapter 61, Article 18A (61-18A)
http://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/2006/nmrc/jd_ch61art18a-16315.html
File a complaint: www.debt-collector-problems.com/fair-debt-complaint-form/New-Mexico-Attorney-General-Complaint-Form.pdf
Debt Collection Guide
www.nyc.gov/html/dca/downloads/pdf/Debt.pdf
File a complaint: www.nyc.gov/html/dca/html/contact/contact_form.shtml
New York Code 29-H (Debt Collection Procedures)
http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/nycode/GBS/29-H
Managing the Overload, www.ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/pdfs/publications/Debt_Management.pdf
Penal Law, Part 3, Title K, Article 190.50
http://law.justia.com/newyork/codes/penal/pen0190.50_190.50.html
File a complaint: www.ag.ny.gov/complaint-forms
North Carolina General Statute, Chapter 75, Article 2, Section 75-50, et seq.
www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByChapter/Chapter_75.html
File a complaint: http://ncdoj.com/complaint.aspx
North Dakota
North Dakota Collector Regulation Statute § 13-05
www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t13c05.pdf
File a complaint: www.ag.state.nd.us/CPAT/ConsumerComplaints.htm
Ohio Revised Code, Title 13, Chapter 1319
http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/1319
Ohio Legal Services Q&A
http://www.ohiolegalservices.org/public/legal_problem/consumer-rights/debt-collection/qandact_view
File a complaint: www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/ConsumerComplaint.aspx?from=nav
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Statute, Title 15, Chapter 20,Section 755.1
http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/Index.asp?ftdb=STOKST15&level=1
Oklahoma Statute, Collection Practices, Subchapter II, Title 160:70-1 - 160.70-8,
www.ok.gov/okdocc/documents/Title160DDL.pdf
File a complaint: www.oag.state.ok.us/oagweb.nsf/complaint.html
Oregon Revised Statute, Chapter 646, Section 646.639 et seq.
www.leg.state.or.us/ors/
File a complaint: https://justice.oregon.gov/complaints/
PA Debt Collection Practices, www.attorneygeneral.gov/consumers.aspx?id=244
Pennsylvania Statute, Title 18, Chapter 73, Subchapter A, §7311,
www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.073.011.000..HTM
File a complaint: www.attorneygeneral.gov/complaints.aspx
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Debt Collections Act § 19-14.9
www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE19/19-14.9/INDEX.HTM
File a complaint: www.riag.state.ri.us/documents/consumer/ConsumerComplaintForm.pdf
South Carolina
Debt collection FAQ, www.consumer.sc.gov/faqs/Pages/fairdebtcollection.aspx
Consumer Protection Code, Title 37-5-108, www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t37c005.php
File a complaint: www.scag.gov/contact-us
South Dakota
Attorney General Consumer Protection Guide (pg. 62), http://atg.sd.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=lDkq1k3V-yM%3d&tabid=525
NOTE: South Dakota has no state debt collection statute, but follows the FDCPA.
File a complaint: http://atg.sd.gov/Consumers/HandlingComplaints/ConsumerComplaintForm.aspx
Title 62, Chapter 20
http://www.michie.com/tennessee/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&cp=tncode
File a complaint:
www.tn.gov/attorneygeneral/cpro/filecomplaint.html
Texas Statute, Finance Code, Title 5, Chapter 392
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/FI/htm/FI.392.htm
Texas Attorney General Office - Debt Collection
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/debt_collection.shtml
File a complaint: www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/complain.shtml
Utah Annotated Code, Title 12, www.le.state.ut.us/~code/code.htm
What Rights Do I Have When Collectors Call?, www.utahlegalservices.org/public/legal_problem-en-us/consumer/collections/qandact_view?log=2&searchterm=debt%20collectors
File a complaint: http://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/contact_us.html
Vermont Code
http://www.atg.state.vt.us/assets/files/CF%20104.pdf
File a complaint:
www.uvm.edu/consumer/?Page=complaint.html
Revised Code of Washington, Title 19, Chapter 16
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/
Attorney General, In Debt? Know Your Rights When Dealing with a debt collector, www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=24992
File a complaint: www.atg.wa.gov/FileAComplaint.aspx
West Virginia
West Virginia Code, Chapter 47-16-2, www.legis.state.wv.us/WVCODE/47/code/WVC%2047%20%20-%2016%20%20-%20%20%202%20%20.htm
What Are My Rights as a Consumer with Debts in Collection? Guide
www.wvs.state.wv.us/wvag/faq/consumer/debt_collection.html
Fair Debt Collection FAQ, www.wvago.gov/faqs.cfm?fx=cat&id=2#106
File a complaint: www.wvago.gov/takeaction.cfm
Wisconsin Statute, Chapter 427
www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/Statutes.html
Illegal Debt Collection Practices and Debt Collection Scams, Attorney General Publications, www.doj.state.wi.us/absolutenm/templates/template_col_share.aspx?articleid=1824&zoneid=8
File a complaint: www.doj.state.wi.us/dls/ConsProt/cp_complaints.asp
Prohibited Collection Practices
www.audit.state.wy.us/banking/cab/cab_brochure.pdf
Wyoming Statute, Title 33, Chapter 11
http://legisweb.state.wy.us/statutes/statutes.aspx?file=titles/Title33/T33CH11.htm
File a complaint: http://attorneygeneral.state.wy.us/PDF/ComplaintForm.pdf