Connecticut Debt Collection Laws

Your federal rights

These federal rules apply in Connecticut and every other state. Connecticut's own law, below, can add more.

Who the federal law covers. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) covers debt collectors who collect for someone else and companies that buy debts, not usually the original creditor collecting its own debt (15 U.S.C. 1692a(6)). Some state laws also cover original creditors.
A validation notice. A collector must give you a validation notice, in its first message or within 5 days after it, with the amount, the creditor and how to dispute (15 U.S.C. 1692g(a); 12 CFR 1006.34).
Your right to dispute. If you dispute the debt in writing within the validation period (30 days after you get the notice), the collector must stop collecting until it mails you verification (15 U.S.C. 1692g(b); 12 CFR 1006.38).
When collectors can contact you. No calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. your time, or at work if your employer doesn't allow it (15 U.S.C. 1692c(a)). More than 7 calls in 7 days about one debt is presumed to break the law (12 CFR 1006.14(b)(2)).
Telling a collector to stop. If you tell a collector in writing to stop contacting you, it must stop, except to tell you it is ending collection or will take a specific step such as a lawsuit (15 U.S.C. 1692c(c)).
What collectors can't do. No threats, obscene language, false statements (for example pretending to be a lawyer or the government, or threatening arrest) and no unfair practices such as collecting fees your contract doesn't allow (15 U.S.C. 1692d, 1692e, 1692f). A collector generally can't discuss your debt with your family, neighbors or employer (15 U.S.C. 1692c(b)).

Read how to dispute a debt or stop collector calls.

Connecticut law and extra protections

State law: Connecticut Consumer Collection Agency Act and Creditors' Collection Practices Act
Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 36a-800 to 36a-814 (consumer collection agencies, including debt buyers); §§ 36a-645 to 36a-648 (creditors)
Covers original creditors: Yes
Extra protections: Collection agencies and debt buyers that collect from Connecticut residents must hold a license from the Department of Banking (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 36a-801).
If a debt is too old to sue on, the collection agency's first message to you must say so in set wording, and say whether it can still report the debt to credit bureaus (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 36a-805(a)(13)).
A collection agency cannot add collection fees after charge-off unless your contract allows them, and the fee cannot be more than 15% of what is actually collected (§ 36a-805(a)(11)).
Original creditors, and anyone the debt was assigned to, cannot use abusive, harassing, deceptive or misleading practices to collect (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 36a-646).
When a creditor freezes your bank account, the bank must leave up to $1,000 of wage deposits from the last 2 months, or up to $1,000 of the balance, without you asking (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 52-367b, 52-352b(18)).
Can you sue under it?: Yes, against creditors: if a creditor (including one the debt was assigned to) uses abusive, harassing or deceptive practices, you can sue within 1 year for your actual damages, up to $1,000 more, plus court costs and attorney's fees (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 36a-648). Against collection agencies you can sue under the federal FDCPA.
Official text: Read the law

Old debts in Connecticut

Written contracts: 6 years
Open accounts and unwritten agreements: 6 years
Does a payment restart the clock?: Usually yes. Connecticut courts have held that a clear acknowledgment of the debt, or a payment on the account made or authorized by you, can restart the clock (court decisions noted under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-576). No statute sets this rule.
Must collectors say a debt is too old?: Yes. A collection agency collecting a debt that is too old to sue on must say so in its first message to you, using wording set in the law, and say whether it may still report the debt to credit bureaus (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 36a-805(a)(13)). Federal rule: a debt collector may not sue you or threaten to sue you on a time-barred debt (12 CFR 1006.26(b)).
Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-576 (6 years: accounts, simple or implied contracts, written contracts); § 52-581 (3 years: certain oral contracts); sales of goods follow Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42a-2-725
Official text: Read the law

The time limit is the statute of limitations. Once it runs out, the debt is “time-barred”: a collector must not sue or threaten to sue you, but the debt still exists. Read more about time-barred debt.

Is my debt too old? Check Connecticut's time limit

Every state limits how long a creditor or collector has to sue you over a debt. This is the statute of limitations. Choose your state, the type of debt and the date of your last payment to see the limit and an estimated end date. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.

Wage garnishment and bank accounts in Connecticut

Wage limit: Stricter than federal: a creditor can take no more than 25% of your disposable earnings, or the amount above 40 times the higher of the federal or Connecticut minimum wage per week, whichever is less.
Bank account: Up to $1,000: the bank leaves up to $1,000 of wages deposited in the last 2 months, or the lesser of your balance or $1,000. Direct deposits of Social Security, VA, unemployment and child support stay protected in full.
Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 52-361a(f), 52-367b, 52-352b(18); court forms JD-CV-3 (rev. 10-25) and JD-CV-24

Federal benefits such as Social Security, SSI and VA benefits that were directly deposited are protected in your bank account up to two months' worth (31 CFR 212.6). A creditor usually needs a court judgment before it can garnish your wages or bank account.

Property you can keep in Connecticut

Home: up to $250,000 of equity (market value minus mortgages and liens). Vehicles: up to two, worth up to $7,000 in total after loans (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-352b(21), (10)). Any other property: up to $1,000 (§ 52-352b(18)).

Collector licensing in Connecticut

License required: Yes
Who licenses: Connecticut Department of Banking (licenses through NMLS; debt buyers need a license too) (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 36a-800, 36a-801)
Check a license: Official license lookup

Medical debt in Connecticut

Public Act 24-6 (effective July 1, 2024): health care providers and hospitals cannot report your medical debt to credit bureaus. Medical debt reported to a credit bureau is void. Note: on October 28, 2025 the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued an interpretive rule saying that the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act generally preempts state laws that ban medical debt from credit reports (90 Fed. Reg. 48710). The state law is still on the books, but credit bureaus may argue it cannot be enforced, and courts have the final say.

If you are sued in Connecticut

Time to answer: Small claims: file the Answer form by the answer date printed on it. Regular civil cases: the deadline is on your summons (an appearance is due by the return date).
If you don't answer: If you do not answer by the answer date, the magistrate can decide the case without a trial and enter a judgment against you.
Court self-help: Connecticut court self-help (official)

Don't ignore court papers. Read what to do if a debt collector sues you.

Where to complain in Connecticut

Connecticut: Connecticut Department of Banking, Consumer Affairs · 860-240-8170 (toll-free 1-800-831-7225, option 2)
Federal: the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau takes complaints about debt collectors at consumerfinance.gov/complaint · (855) 411-2372.
You can also report a collector to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Free help in Connecticut

Good to know in Connecticut

Connecticut's wage protection uses 40 times the minimum wage, and the higher state minimum wage counts (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-361a(f)).
Collection agencies must warn you in writing when a debt is too old to sue on (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 36a-805(a)(13)).
A debt buyer that sues you must file proof that it owns the debt, with the full chain of owners, before the court can enter judgment (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 36a-813).

Changes in 2024–2026

Public Act 24-6 (effective July 1, 2024) bans medical debt credit reporting by providers and hospitals. Public Act 25-168 (2025) changed the consumer collection agency law: it redefined 'consumer collection agency' and 'debt buying' and renumbered § 36a-805(a) (the time-barred debt notice is now (a)(13)). The $250,000 home and two-vehicle exemptions date from Public Act 21-161, not from 2024-2026.

Free letters to send a collector

Dispute a debt and ask for proof (validation letter)

Within 30 days of the collector's validation notice.

Tell a collector to stop or limit contact

Stop all contact, writing only, or no calls at work.

Questions about debt collection in Connecticut

What is the statute of limitations on debt in Connecticut?

6 years for written contracts and 6 years for open accounts and unwritten agreements (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-576 (6 years: accounts, simple or implied contracts, written contracts); § 52-581 (3 years: certain oral contracts); sales of goods follow Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42a-2-725).

Does paying on an old debt restart the clock in Connecticut?

Usually yes. Connecticut courts have held that a clear acknowledgment of the debt, or a payment on the account made or authorized by you, can restart the clock (court decisions noted under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-576). No statute sets this rule.

Must a collector tell me a debt is too old to sue on in Connecticut?

Yes. A collection agency collecting a debt that is too old to sue on must say so in its first message to you, using wording set in the law, and say whether it may still report the debt to credit bureaus (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 36a-805(a)(13)). Federal rule: a debt collector may not sue you or threaten to sue you on a time-barred debt (12 CFR 1006.26(b)).

How much of my paycheck can be garnished in Connecticut?

Stricter than federal: a creditor can take no more than 25% of your disposable earnings, or the amount above 40 times the higher of the federal or Connecticut minimum wage per week, whichever is less.

How much money in a bank account is protected in Connecticut?

Up to $1,000: the bank leaves up to $1,000 of wages deposited in the last 2 months, or the lesser of your balance or $1,000. Direct deposits of Social Security, VA, unemployment and child support stay protected in full.

Do debt collectors need a license in Connecticut?

Yes. Connecticut Department of Banking (licenses through NMLS; debt buyers need a license too) (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 36a-800, 36a-801)

Does Connecticut have its own debt collection law?

Yes: the Connecticut Consumer Collection Agency Act and Creditors' Collection Practices Act (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 36a-800 to 36a-814 (consumer collection agencies, including debt buyers); §§ 36a-645 to 36a-648 (creditors)). It also covers original creditors collecting their own debts.

How long do I have to answer a debt lawsuit in Connecticut?

Small claims: file the Answer form by the answer date printed on it. Regular civil cases: the deadline is on your summons (an appearance is due by the return date).

Does Connecticut protect people with medical debt?

Public Act 24-6 (effective July 1, 2024): health care providers and hospitals cannot report your medical debt to credit bureaus. Medical debt reported to a credit bureau is void. Note: on October 28, 2025 the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued an interpretive rule saying that the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act generally preempts state laws that ban medical debt from credit reports (90 Fed. Reg. 48710). The state law is still on the books, but credit bureaus may argue it cannot be enforced, and courts have the final say.

Where can I complain about a debt collector in Connecticut?

Connecticut Department of Banking, Consumer Affairs: https://portal.ct.gov/dob/consumer/consumer-complaints/collection-agency · 860-240-8170 (toll-free 1-800-831-7225, option 2)

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources

Debt collectors in Connecticut: your rights