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List of Collection Agencies in Washington

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List of collection agencies in Washington

Washington State Debt Collection Laws

  1. Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA): Like all states, Washington is subject to the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The FDCPA applies to third-party debt collectors and prohibits them from using deceptive, abusive, or unfair practices when collecting a debt.
  2. Washington Collection Agency Act: Washington has its own law governing debt collection practices called the Washington Collection Agency Act. This state law extends protections to consumers and governs the conduct of both third-party debt collectors and, in certain circumstances, original creditors.
  3. Statute of Limitations: As of 2021, the statute of limitations for written contracts in Washington state is 6 years, and for oral contracts, it is 3 years. Once this period has passed, debt collectors cannot sue to collect the debt. It is important to note that acknowledging the debt or making a payment can restart the statute of limitations.
  4. Wage Garnishment: In Washington, if a creditor obtains a judgment against a debtor, they may be able to garnish wages. However, there are limits on how much can be garnished. Federal law limits garnishment to the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage, and Washington generally follows these limits.
  5. Bank Account Levies and Property Liens: After obtaining a judgment, a creditor may seek to levy a debtor’s bank account or put a lien on property. However, Washington law provides certain exemptions that may protect a portion of the debtor’s assets.
  6. Communication with Debt Collectors: Under Washington law, debt collectors are subject to restrictions on their communication practices. For example, they cannot contact debtors at inconvenient times, harass them, or communicate with third parties about the debtor’s debt without permission.
  7. Exemptions: Washington law provides various exemptions to protect a debtor’s property from being seized to pay a judgment. This includes exemptions for homesteads, personal property, wages, and certain types of income such as social security and retirement benefits.
  8. Licensing and Bonding: Debt collectors operating in Washington must be licensed and bonded.

Please remember that laws and regulations can change over time. For the most current information and advice on dealing with debt collectors in Washington, consult a lawyer or legal aid organization.

A collection agency with a license to recover money in Washington State can send Collection Letters, make Collection Calls or even sue a debtor in Court to recover the debt. All debt collectors must obtain a license before collecting from Washington residents.

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