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Direct answer: A debt collector must send you validation information: who you owe, how much, and the date your 30-day dispute window ends. Dispute in writing by that date and it must pause collection until it sends proof. Collectors can't call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., or sue on time-barred debts.
By the numbers: A debt collector is presumed to violate the law if it calls about a particular debt more than seven times within seven consecutive days, or within seven days after a phone conversation about it. Source: 12 CFR 1006.14(b)(2) (Regulation F)
“The failure of a consumer to dispute the validity of a debt does not constitute a legal admission of liability by the consumer.” — 12 CFR 1006.38(d)(1)
Updated 2026-10-23
The validation period ends 30 days after you receive the validation notice. The collector may assume you got it 5 days after sending it, not counting weekends and federal holidays, and the notice must print the end date it is using. Dispute in writing by that date (12 CFR 1006.34).
If your written dispute arrives within the validation period, the collector must stop collecting the debt (or the disputed part) until it sends you verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment (12 CFR 1006.38(d)). You can also ask in writing for the original creditor's name and address. Not disputing is not an admission that you owe it.
A collector is presumed to be harassing you if it calls about one debt more than 7 times in 7 days, or within 7 days after talking with you about it on the phone (12 CFR 1006.14(b)(2)). Calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. your local time are presumed inconvenient (1006.6(b)(1)).
Tell the collector in writing that you want it to stop, or that you refuse to pay. It then must stop, except to say it is ending its efforts or that it or the creditor may take, or intends to take, a specific step such as suing (12 CFR 1006.6(c)). The debt does not go away.
Not if the debt is time-barred, meaning your state's deadline to sue has passed: collectors can't sue or threaten to sue (12 CFR 1006.26(b)). The CFPB says most states set 3 to 6 years, and in some states a payment or acknowledging the debt can restart the clock. If you are sued anyway, raise it in court.
Usually not. Debts are generally paid from the estate. The CFPB says you're responsible only in specific cases, such as being a co-signer or joint account holder, or where state law requires it. Collectors may contact a spouse or executor but can't suggest you must pay from your own money.
As of Oct. 23, 2026
A debt collector has to tell you who you owe, how much, and the date your 30-day dispute window ends. If you dispute in writing by that date, it must stop collecting until it sends proof. Federal law also limits when and how often it can contact you, who it can talk to about your debt, and what it can say. This page explains those rights from the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the CFPB's Regulation F and CFPB and FTC guidance, with a date check for your dispute deadline.
Sources: 12 CFR 1006 · 15 U.S.C. 1692g · CFPB: validation information.
Date math from Regulation F (12 CFR 1006.34(b)(5)). It runs in your browser; nothing is sent or saved. Your notice must print the end date the collector uses; this check helps you see whether it adds up.
EXAMPLE Made-up letter, not a real case: a notice dated Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. Monday, Oct. 12 is Columbus Day, a legal public holiday, so the 5 countable days are Oct. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 19. Assumed receipt is Monday, Oct. 19, and the earliest end date is Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026. Sources: 12 CFR 1006 · 5 U.S.C. 6103.
The rules apply to debt collectors: businesses whose main purpose is collecting debts, or that regularly collect debts owed to someone else, such as collection agencies, debt buyers and many collection law firms. A lender that collects its own debt under a different name also counts. A creditor's own employees collecting in the creditor's name generally don't, nor do government employees doing their jobs or nonprofit credit counselors.
The law covers personal, family and household debts, like credit cards, car loans, medical bills, student loans and mortgages. Business debts are not covered. Some states have their own collection laws that can add protections; federal law doesn't override stronger state rules.
Sources: 12 CFR 1006 · FTC: Debt Collection FAQs.
Sources: 12 CFR 1006 · 15 U.S.C. 1692g · CFPB: validation information · CFPB: when a collector contacts you.
CFPB sample letters (Word files, free, not legal advice): I do not owe this debt · I need more information about this debt · Stop contacting me · Contact my lawyer only · Here's how you can contact me.
Sources: 12 CFR 1006 · CFPB: when a collector contacts you · CFPB: stop contact · FTC: Debt Collection FAQs.
Sources: 12 CFR 1006 · FTC: Debt Collection FAQs.
Write to the collector that you want it to stop contacting you, or that you refuse to pay. Once it gets your letter it must stop, except to tell you it's ending its efforts, or that it or the creditor may take, or plans to take, a specific step it normally takes, such as filing a lawsuit. The debt doesn't go away, and the collector or creditor can still sue. The CFPB suggests disputing first if you think you don't owe it, before asking them to stop.
Sources: 12 CFR 1006 · CFPB: stop contact.
Sources: 12 CFR 1006.
A debt doesn't usually disappear, but each state sets a deadline to sue, called the statute of limitations. The CFPB says most states set 3 to 6 years, and it can depend on the type of debt, your state and the state law named in your contract. Some debts, like federal student loans, have no deadline. Once it passes, a collector can't sue or threaten to sue (bankruptcy proofs of claim are the exception). Depending on your state, it may still contact you to ask for payment.
Careful: in some states, a partial payment, a promise to pay or acknowledging the debt in writing can restart the clock. If you're sued on an old debt, a court can still enter a judgment if you don't show up and raise the deadline as a defense. Old debts can still appear on credit reports for up to 7 years.
Sources: CFPB: old debts · FTC: Debt Collection FAQs · 12 CFR 1006.
Debts are generally paid from the person's estate. If the estate can't pay, the debt usually goes unpaid. The CFPB says you are not usually responsible unless you co-signed, were a joint account holder (not just an authorized user), or state law requires it, such as some community property rules for a surviving spouse. Collectors may contact a surviving spouse or the executor, but it's illegal for them to suggest you must pay from your own money.
Sources: CFPB: debts after a death · 12 CFR 1006. See also Estate planning hub.
Sources: CFPB complaint · 15 U.S.C. 1692k · FTC: Debt Collection FAQs · CFPB: when a collector contacts you.
Related: Wage garnishment: how much can they take? · Free credit reports & fix mistakes · Debt relief options · Chapter 7 bankruptcy · Is this a scam? · Credit hub.
Facts, not legal advice. We summarize federal law, the CFPB's rule and CFPB and FTC guidance, with dates. State laws can add protections, and your state's deadline to sue is not on this page. The date check is arithmetic, not a ruling. We don't link to or get paid by debt relief, settlement or law firms.
The validation period ends 30 days after you receive the validation notice. The collector may assume you got it 5 days after sending it, not counting weekends and federal holidays, and the notice must print the end date it is using. Dispute in writing by that date (12 CFR 1006.34).
If your written dispute arrives within the validation period, the collector must stop collecting the debt (or the disputed part) until it sends you verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment (12 CFR 1006.38(d)). You can also ask in writing for the original creditor's name and address. Not disputing is not an admission that you owe it.
A collector is presumed to be harassing you if it calls about one debt more than 7 times in 7 days, or within 7 days after talking with you about it on the phone (12 CFR 1006.14(b)(2)). Calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. your local time are presumed inconvenient (1006.6(b)(1)).
Tell the collector in writing that you want it to stop, or that you refuse to pay. It then must stop, except to say it is ending its efforts or that it or the creditor may take, or intends to take, a specific step such as suing (12 CFR 1006.6(c)). The debt does not go away.
Not if the debt is time-barred, meaning your state's deadline to sue has passed: collectors can't sue or threaten to sue (12 CFR 1006.26(b)). The CFPB says most states set 3 to 6 years, and in some states a payment or acknowledging the debt can restart the clock. If you are sued anyway, raise it in court.
Usually not. Debts are generally paid from the estate. The CFPB says you're responsible only in specific cases, such as being a co-signer or joint account holder, or where state law requires it. Collectors may contact a spouse or executor but can't suggest you must pay from your own money.
Estimates, not financial advice. Taxes, insurance, PMI and fees vary by lender, county and city; confirm with your lender, dealer and state agency before acting.