How long do I have to file an FDCPA debt-collection lawsuit?
1 year
Governing law: 15 U.S.C. § 1692k(d). Verified: 2026-06-22. This is federal law — the same deadline applies in every state.
What this means
If a debt collector violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (harassment, false statements, calling after a cease request), you have 1 year from the date of the violation to sue under federal law. This is the deadline to sue the COLLECTOR — it is separate from how long a creditor has to sue YOU on the underlying debt (that is set by your state's contract statute of limitations).
Important detail
The 1-year FDCPA clock runs from the date of the specific violation. A state consumer-protection (UDAP) claim may carry a longer window for the same conduct.
Don't risk your deadline
Missing the statute of limitations usually ends your case permanently. Talk to a fdcpa debtcollection violation attorney—most offer a free consultation.
Not legal advice. This page is informational only and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney. Statutes of limitations are subject to many exceptions — tolling, the discovery rule, minority (under-18) and incapacity rules, government notice-of-claim deadlines (often far shorter), and statutes of repose — any of which can shorten or lengthen the deadline in your specific case. The governing statute citation and the date it was verified are shown above so you can confirm the current text yourself. Never rely on this page to decide whether you can or cannot sue. Consult a licensed attorney in your state before your deadline.