Debt collector laws in Alaska

Alaska regulates collectors through the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act (applies to debt collection) plus the collection agency licensing law. Here are its extra protections, licensing, complaints and medical debt rules.

Short answer

Alaska has its own debt collection law: the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act (applies to debt collection) plus the collection agency licensing law. Debt collectors need a state license in Alaska; the licensing agency is Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (collection agency and operator licenses under AS 08.24.090). File complaints with Alaska Attorney General, Consumer Protection Unit or the CFPB.

State law
Yes
License required
Yes
Extra protections listed
2

Alaska's collection law

State law
Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act (applies to debt collection) plus the collection agency licensing law
Law
AS 45.50.471 et seq.; AS 08.24
Official text
Read the law

Suing a collector in Alaska

Under the Unfair Trade Practices Act, if you lose money or property because of an unlawful practice, you can sue for three times your actual damages or $500, whichever is greater. You must sue within 2 years after you discover (or should have discovered) the loss. (AS 45.50.531(a), (f))

The federal FDCPA adds a claim of its own: actual damages, up to $1,000 more and attorney's fees, if you sue within 1 year (15 U.S.C. 1692k).

Extra Alaska protections

  • Collection agencies cannot use letters or forms made to look like court papers. (AS 08.24.320)
  • A collection agency cannot sue in an Alaska court for a client unless it proves it is licensed and bonded. (AS 08.24.300)

Collector licensing in Alaska

License required
Yes
Who licenses
Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (collection agency and operator licenses under AS 08.24.090)

Like Alaska, 28 of the 48 states we cover license collectors.

In nearby states

Reporting a collector in Alaska

If a collector breaks the rules in Alaska

  1. Keep a record

    Keep letters, voicemails, emails and texts, and a log of every call.

  2. Identify the collector

    Alaska requires a license; ask the collector for its license number from Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (collection agency and operator licenses under AS 08.24.090).

  3. Send a letter

    Use a letter to dispute a debt or to stop collector calls; keep a copy and the mailing receipt.

  4. File a complaint

    Complain to Alaska Attorney General, Consumer Protection Unit. You can also complain to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.

  5. Know your right to sue in Alaska

    Under Alaska law: Under the Unfair Trade Practices Act, if you lose money or property because of an unlawful practice, you can sue for three times your actual damages or $500, whichever is greater.

Questions about collector laws in Alaska

Are collection agencies licensed in Alaska?

Yes. Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (collection agency and operator licenses under AS 08.24.090)

Does Alaska have its own debt collection law?

Yes: the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act (applies to debt collection) plus the collection agency licensing law (AS 45.50.471 et seq.; AS 08.24).

Where can I complain about a debt collector in Alaska?

Alaska Attorney General, Consumer Protection Unit: https://law.alaska.gov/department/civil/consumer/cp_complaint.html · 907-269-5200; toll-free outside Anchorage 1-888-576-2529

Can I sue a debt collector under Alaska law?

Under the Unfair Trade Practices Act, if you lose money or property because of an unlawful practice, you can sue for three times your actual damages or $500, whichever is greater. You must sue within 2 years after you discover (or should have discovered) the loss. (AS 45.50.531(a), (f))

How does Alaska law go beyond the FDCPA?

Collection agencies cannot use letters or forms made to look like court papers. (AS 08.24.320) A collection agency cannot sue in an Alaska court for a client unless it proves it is licensed and bonded. (AS 08.24.300)

More for Alaska

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources