Washington Debt Collection Laws: Your Rights Guide

Washington has two state debt collection laws: the Washington Collection Agency Act (CAA) and the Washington Consumer Protection Act (CPA). Combined, these laws protect you against original creditors, third-party debt collectors, and debt buyers.

You also get federal protection from the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

Been Sued by a Debt Collector in Washington?

Don't let debt buyers win by default. Washington requires collectors to prove extensive documentation when they sue. Respond properly and protect your rights.

Answer Your Lawsuit

The statute of limitations for credit card debt and medical bills in Washington is six years.

What Are the Debt Collection Laws in Washington?

Washington has two state laws regarding debt collection: the CAA and the CPA.

Washington Collection Agency Act (CAA)

The Washington Collection Agency Act outlines prohibited collection practices. It defines unprofessional acts by collection agencies.

The CAA applies to third-party debt collectors and debt buyers. It doesn’t apply to original creditors collecting under their own name. It also doesn’t apply to billing companies that only send account notices.

The CAA establishes licensing requirements for collection agencies. It creates additional rules for debt buyers who sue debtors.

The law follows FDCPA protections and related federal debt collection rules. However, some differences exist.

Washington Consumer Protection Act (CPA)

The Washington Consumer Protection Act makes unfair or deceptive practices unlawful. You have the right to sue debt collectors in civil court under this law.

Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)

Both Washington state laws work alongside the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The FDCPA protects consumers from harassment and abusive debt collection practices. Every Washington citizen gets FDCPA protection.

The FDCPA protects you against third-party debt collectors. It outlines what debt collectors must do:

Identify themselves when they contact you
Send you a validation notice within five days of first contact
Verify the debt if you dispute it within 30 days
Stop contacting you if you request it in writing

The FDCPA also limits what third-party debt collectors can’t do:

Call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
Contact you at work if they know your employer prohibits it
Harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties
Use false, deceptive, or misleading statements
Use unfair or unconscionable means to collect debt

Washington Provides Additional Protections Beyond the FDCPA

Not every state provides protections beyond the FDCPA. Washington does provide additional protections for residents.

Washington Limits Debt Collectors Contact

Washington defines harassment as:

Communicating more than three times in a single week
Calling or texting a cellphone more than twice daily
Contacting you at work more than once weekly

If you contact the collector first, their response doesn’t count toward these limits.

Washington Provides Additional Protections for Medical Debt

The Washington Collection Agency Act contains additional requirements for medical debt collectors.

For medical debt, the validation notice must state that:

You can request the original account number
You can request the date of your last payment
You can request an itemized statement including:
- The medical creditor’s name and address
- Dates of service and list of services provided
- Principal amount owed on the debt
- Any bill adjustments
- Payments from you or others
- Interest or fees
- Charity Care eligibility and payments applied

Debt collectors can’t report medical debt to credit bureaus for at least 180 days. The 180 days starts from when the collection agency received the debt information.

Washington Requires Additional Steps When a Debt Buyer Sues You

If a debt buyer files a lawsuit against you, they must attach specific documents. They need a copy of the debt contract showing your signature.

If no signed contract exists, they must attach both:

A copy of your most recent transaction statement showing activity
A copy of the account terms and conditions

They must also include a disclosure in the complaint (10-point font minimum) stating:

The action is brought by someone who purchases delinquent claims
The date they purchased the claim
Who they purchased the claim from
They may have purchased it for less than stated
Whether the debt was sold without warranty of accuracy
The action is within the statute of limitations

If you don’t respond to the lawsuit, the debt buyer can’t get a default judgment without additional proof. They must provide evidence establishing:

The debt amount and nature
Original account number at charge-off
Original creditor at charge-off
Amount due at charge-off (principal, interest, fees)
Itemization of post-charge-off additions
Date of last payment or transaction
Date the debt was incurred (if not revolving credit)
Proof they own the debt

What Can You Do if a Debt Collector Breaks the Law?

If a debt collector violates Washington’s debt collection laws, you have options:

Submit a complaint to the Washington State Department of Licensing
File a complaint with the Washington Attorney General’s Office
File a civil lawsuit against the debt collector

How To Bring a Civil Lawsuit Against a Debt Collector

If a debt collector breaks state laws, you can sue them. If you win, you may receive compensation including actual damages and punitive damages. You may also recover court costs and attorney fees.

The court may award up to three times your actual damages. The maximum is $25,000. Actual damages are real losses or harm you suffered. Washington has no cap on punitive damages.

You don’t need actual damages to sue under the CPA. If the collector’s actions violate state laws and harm the public, you can sue. You won’t get damages, but you can get a court order stopping the violation. You can also recover attorney fees and costs.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Debt Collection in Washington?

Statutes of limitations limit the time a debt collector has to sue you.

After the statute expires, debt collectors can still sue. However, you’ll have a strong defense in the lawsuit.

Type of Debt	Statute of Limitations
Written Contracts (medical debt, credit cards)	6 years
Oral Contracts	3 years
Open Accounts	6 years
Auto Loans	4 years
State Tax	4 years
Judgments	10 years

In most cases, the clock starts when you breach the contract. This is usually your last payment date.

Making a payment can restart the statute of limitations. So can promising to pay or acknowledging the debt. But once the statute expires, these actions won’t restart it. A promise or acknowledgment only restarts the clock if you make it in writing and sign it.

What Can Debt Collectors Do To Collect Debt in Washington?

Knowing what debt collectors can legally do protects you. Debt collectors start with phone calls and letters. But collection efforts can escalate.

Debt Collectors Can Garnish Your Wages (With a Court Order)

Debt collectors can take you to court for unpaid debt. If you get sued and lose, the judge issues a judgment. This allows the collector to get a wage garnishment order, bank levy, or property lien.

Wage garnishment orders are most common. Wage garnishment takes money directly from your paycheck. Washington state law limits how much can be taken.

If you’ve been sued by a debt collector, our partner Solo can help you respond and potentially settle for less.

Debt Collectors Can Repossess Your Car

If you miss car payments, the lender can legally repossess your vehicle. They don’t need to give you prior notice. They don’t need a court order. If you default on your auto loan, you risk repossession. This could happen after one missed payment. Review your auto loan contract to understand your terms.

Need Help With Debt Relief? Here Are Some Options

Feeling overwhelmed by debt is completely normal. If you’re not sure where to start, consider free consumer credit counseling.

A counselor might suggest a debt management plan, debt consolidation, or bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy is a powerful legal tool to reclaim your finances. If debt has become unmanageable, filing bankruptcy may give you a fresh start. Bankruptcy also stops all collection efforts, including wage garnishment.

Looking for Legal Help?

WashingtonLawHelp.org has self-help guides, online resources, and a comprehensive legal aid directory.
King County Bar Association provides free legal clinic aid to low-income King County residents.
Washington State Bar Association has an online hub with legal aid resources.
Northwest Justice Project provides legal assistance to low-income residents statewide.
Washington Pro Bono Council connects residents to legal aid resources in their area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the statute of limitations on debt in Washington?

The statute of limitations in Washington is six years for written contracts like credit cards and medical debt, three years for oral contracts, and four years for auto loans. Once the statute expires, you have a strong legal defense if a collector sues you.

How many times can a debt collector contact me in Washington?

Washington law limits debt collectors to three contacts per week, two calls or texts per day to your cellphone, and one contact per week at your workplace. If you initiate contact first, their response doesn't count toward these limits.

Can I sue a debt collector in Washington for breaking the law?

Yes. You can sue debt collectors who violate Washington's Collection Agency Act or Consumer Protection Act. If you win, you may receive up to three times your actual damages (up to $25,000), plus punitive damages, court costs, and attorney fees.

What protections does Washington provide for medical debt?

Washington requires detailed validation notices for medical debt, including your right to request itemized statements and Charity Care information. Collectors can't report medical debt to credit bureaus for at least 180 days from when they received the debt information.

What must a debt buyer prove to sue me in Washington?

Debt buyers must attach a signed contract or recent transaction statement to their lawsuit. They must disclose when they bought the debt, from whom, and that they may have paid less than the claimed amount. For default judgments, they need extensive proof of the debt's validity and ownership.

Washington Debt Collection Laws: Know Your Rights