Ohio Debt Collection Laws: What Collectors Can't Do to You

Debt collectors calling at all hours. Threats of arrest. Lies about what you owe. If you live in Ohio and a collector has crossed the line, you have legal firepower most people don't know exists.

Ohio Revised Code Section 1321.45 works alongside the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) to create a legal fence around you. When collectors jump that fence, they break the law. When they break the law, you can hit back.

This article explains exactly what debt collectors can and cannot do in Ohio, what happens when they violate your rights, and how to stop illegal collection tactics immediately.

What Ohio Law Says Debt Collectors Must Do

Under Ohio Revised Code Section 1321.45, collectors must follow strict identification and contact rules. These aren't suggestions—they're legal requirements with consequences for violations.

They Must Identify Themselves and Their Purpose

Every time a collector contacts you, they must state who they are and why they're calling. No vague messages. No beating around the bush. They must explicitly say they're attempting to collect a debt.

If a collector leaves a voicemail saying "This is an important matter regarding your account," they've already violated Ohio law. The message must clearly identify them as a debt collector.

They Cannot Contact Your Employer, Family, or Friends About Your Debt

Collectors can contact third parties only to locate you,nothing more. They cannot tell your boss, coworkers, neighbors, or relatives that you owe money. Period.

If a collector calls your workplace and mentions a debt to anyone other than you, that's a violation. If they tell your mother you owe $8,000 to Capital One, that's a violation. Document it.

They Cannot Use Postcards or Marked Envelopes

Ohio law prohibits collectors from using postcards to contact you about a debt. Any envelope they send must be plain,no logos, no language, no symbols that hint at debt collection.

If an envelope arrives with "URGENT: Debt Collection Notice" stamped on the outside, save it. That's evidence.

If You Have an Attorney, They Must Contact Your Attorney

Once a collector knows you're represented by a lawyer, they must stop contacting you directly. All communication must go through your attorney. The only exception is if your attorney fails to respond within a reasonable time.

Send the collector written notice of your representation. Include your attorney's contact information. After that, any direct contact with you violates Ohio law.

Ohio Debt Collection Time Restrictions

Collectors cannot call you before 8 a.m. Or after 9 p.m. Eastern Time at your location. That applies seven days a week.

If a collector in California calls your Cleveland number at 10 p.m. Pacific Time (1 a.m. Your time), they've violated Ohio law. Time zone confusion is not a defense.

They also cannot call you at work if they know or have reason to know your employer prohibits personal calls. Tell them once. If they call again, document it.

Who Collectors Can and Cannot Talk To About Your Debt

Ohio law limits who collectors can discuss your debt with. The list is short:

• You
• Your attorney
• A consumer reporting agency (credit bureau), if otherwise permitted by law
• The collector's attorney

That's it. No exceptions for well-meaning relatives. No exceptions for your spouse unless they're also liable for the debt. No exceptions for your employer.

What Collectors Cannot Say or Do in Ohio

Ohio law bans specific collection tactics. These aren't gray areas. They're bright-line violations.

No Harassment, Threats, or Profanity

Collectors cannot harass you. That includes repeated calls intended to annoy, threats of violence or harm, and obscene or profane language.

Repeated calls means context-dependent, but calling you five times in one hour is harassment. Leaving messages that say "You're going to regret ignoring this" is a threat. Calling you a deadbeat is profanity for these purposes.

No False Representations

Collectors cannot lie about who they are. That means:

• They cannot claim to be law enforcement or government agents
• They cannot falsely claim to be attorneys unless they actually are
• They cannot misrepresent their authority to arrest you or seize property
• They cannot use fake company names to deceive you

If a collector says "This is Officer Johnson with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department" and they're not a sheriff's deputy, that's fraud and a violation of Ohio law.

No False Statements About the Debt

Collectors cannot lie about how much you owe, what will happen if you don't pay, or the legal status of the debt. Common violations include:

• Inflating the amount owed
• Claiming you'll be arrested for non-payment (you won't)
• Stating they'll garnish your wages without a court judgment (they can't)
• Threatening to sue when they have no intention of doing so
• Claiming the statute of limitations hasn't expired when it has

If a collector tells you that you owe $5,000 when the original debt was $3,200 and there's no valid basis for the increase, demand proof. If they can't provide it, they've violated the law.

The Ohio Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection

Ohio law limits how long collectors can sue you for unpaid debt. Once the statute of limitations expires, the debt becomes "time-barred." Collectors can still contact you, but they cannot sue you or threaten to sue you.

Here are the Ohio statutes of limitations for common debts:

• Written contracts: 8 years (Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.06)
• Oral contracts: 6 years (Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.07)
• Promissory notes: 15 years (Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.03)
• Open accounts (credit cards): 6 years (Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.07)

If a collector threatens to sue you on a seven-year-old credit card debt, they're violating Ohio law. The statute of limitations ran out at six years.

Be careful: making a payment or acknowledging the debt in writing can restart the clock. Before you pay anything on an old debt, talk to a lawyer or check if bankruptcy might be a better option.

Your Right to Stop Collector Contact in Ohio

You can tell a collector to stop contacting you. Under both Ohio and federal law, you have the right to send a written cease-and-desist letter. Once the collector receives it, they must stop all communication except to:

• Confirm they're ceasing communication
• Notify you they're taking a specific action, like filing a lawsuit

Send your cease-and-desist letter via certified mail with a return receipt. Keep a copy. After that, if the collector calls you again for any reason other than the two exceptions, they've violated the law.

One caveat: stopping contact doesn't make the debt go away. The collector can still sue you. If you're sued, you must respond. Ignoring a lawsuit leads to a default judgment.

What Happens When Collectors Violate Ohio Law

When a debt collector violates Ohio Revised Code Section 1321.45 or the FDCPA, you can take legal action.

You Can Sue Them

Under the FDCPA, you can sue a debt collector within one year of the violation. If you win, you can recover:

• Up to $1,000 in statutory damages
• Actual damages (emotional distress, lost wages, etc.)
• Attorney's fees and costs

Ohio law (Section 1321.45) allows similar remedies. If a collector violated both state and federal law, you can pursue both claims.

Many consumer rights attorneys take these cases on contingency. You pay nothing upfront. If you win, the collector pays your attorney's fees.

You Can File a Complaint

Report violations to:

• Ohio Attorney General's Office: File a consumer complaint at ohioattorneygeneral.gov
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): Submit a complaint at consumerfinance.gov/complaint
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov

These agencies track patterns of abuse. Your complaint might contribute to enforcement actions against repeat offenders.

How to Respond When a Collector Contacts You

When a debt collector first contacts you, they must send you a written notice within five days. This notice must include:

• The amount of the debt
• The name of the creditor
• A statement of your right to dispute the debt

You have 30 days from receiving this notice to dispute the debt in writing. If you dispute it, the collector must stop collection efforts until they provide verification.

Send a Debt Validation Letter

If you don't recognize the debt or think the amount is wrong, send a debt validation letter. Demand that the collector provide:

• Proof you owe the debt
• The original creditor's name and account number
• Verification of the amount owed
• Documentation showing they have the legal right to collect

Send this letter via certified mail within 30 days of the initial notice. The collector cannot continue collection efforts until they respond with proof.

If they can't prove the debt is yours or the amount is accurate, they must stop collection. If they continue anyway, they've violated the law.

If You're Sued for Debt in Ohio

Collectors can sue you even if they've violated Ohio law. If you're served with a lawsuit, respond immediately. You typically have 28 days to file an answer.

In your answer, raise any violations as defenses or counterclaims. If the collector harassed you, lied about the debt, or contacted third parties, those violations can offset or eliminate what you owe.

Many Ohio residents who face lawsuits also explore filing for bankruptcy as a way to stop the lawsuit and eliminate the debt. Bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay that immediately stops collection lawsuits, garnishments, and creditor harassment.

Bankruptcy Stops Debt Collection Immediately

If you're drowning in debt and collectors are relentless, bankruptcy might be your fastest way out. Once you file, federal law imposes an automatic stay. That means:

• All collection calls stop
• All lawsuits stop
• All garnishments stop
• All foreclosures stop

Chapter 7 bankruptcy wipes out most unsecured debts (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans) in about four months. Chapter 13 creates a payment plan that consolidates your debts and stretches payments over three to five years.

Both options give you breathing room. Both stop collectors cold. If you're considering bankruptcy in Ohio, start with our bankruptcy screener to see which chapter fits your situation.

Document Everything

If a collector violates Ohio law, documentation is your weapon. Keep records of:

• Every phone call (date, time, what was said)
• Every voicemail (save the audio if possible)
• Every letter or email
• Names of collectors who contacted you
• Any witnesses to harassing behavior

If you're recording calls, Ohio is a one-party consent state. That means you can record a conversation you're part of without telling the other person. Check if your phone has a built-in call recording feature or download an app.

When to Hire a Lawyer

You don't need a lawyer to send a cease-and-desist letter or dispute a debt. But you should hire one if:

• You're being sued
• A collector violated Ohio law and you want to sue them
• You're considering bankruptcy
• A collector ignored your dispute or validation request

Many consumer rights attorneys offer free consultations. If you have a strong FDCPA or Ohio law violation, they may take your case on contingency.

Ohio Protects You,Use That Protection

Debt collectors thrive on fear and confusion. They count on you not knowing Ohio law gives you teeth.

You don't have to take their calls. You don't have to tolerate threats. You don't have to let them lie to you about what you owe or what they can do.

If a collector crosses the line, document it and fight back. If the debt is real and you can't pay, explore settlement, payment plans, or bankruptcy. If the debt is old, verify the statute of limitations hasn't expired.

You have options. Ohio law gives you leverage. Use it.