Debt collector laws in Florida

How the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act (FCCPA) protects you, beyond the federal FDCPA, plus licensing and complaints in Florida.

Short answer

Florida has its own debt collection law: the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act (FCCPA). It also covers original creditors collecting their own debts. Debt collectors need a state license in Florida; the licensing agency is Florida Office of Financial Regulation (registration of consumer collection agencies). Complaints go to Florida Office of Financial Regulation, and to the CFPB.

State law
Yes
Covers original creditors
Yes
License required
Yes
Extra protections listed
5

The Florida debt collection law

State law
Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act (FCCPA)
Law
Fla. Stat. §§ 559.55–559.785
Covers original creditors
Yes
Official text
Read the law

Florida's law reaches original creditors as well, as in 22 of the 48 states we cover.

Protections Florida adds to federal law

  • No one collecting a consumer debt (including the original creditor) may contact you between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. your time without your consent. Since 2025, emails are allowed at any hour (Fla. Stat. § 559.72(17); ch. 2025-23).
  • A collector may not contact your employer before getting a final court judgment, unless you agree in writing or acknowledge the debt in writing after it went to collection (Fla. Stat. § 559.72(4)).
  • A collector may not tell others about a debt you reasonably dispute without saying it is disputed (Fla. Stat. § 559.72(6)).
  • A company that bought your debt must send you written notice of the assignment at least 30 days before trying to collect (Fla. Stat. § 559.715).
  • Consumer collection agencies must register with the Office of Financial Regulation (Fla. Stat. § 559.553).

Medical bills and collectors in Florida

Since 2024 (HB 7089, ch. 2024-183): a hospital or surgery-center debt must be sued on within 3 years after it is sent to collection (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)); a vehicle up to $10,000 and personal property up to $10,000 are protected from collection of such debt (Fla. Stat. § 222.26); facilities must meet conditions, including 30 days' written notice, before 'extraordinary collection actions' such as credit reporting or suing (Fla. Stat. § 395.3011(2)). A 2025 law (HB 547, ch. 2025-98) adjusted the notice rule when debt is sold to some buyers.

Suing a collector in Florida

Yes. You can sue anyone who breaks § 559.72 for actual damages, extra statutory damages of up to $1,000, court costs and attorney's fees; the court may also award punitive damages. You must sue within 2 years (Fla. Stat. § 559.77).

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).

Also in Florida

  • Florida's collection law applies to 'a person' collecting consumer debts, so it reaches original creditors, not only collection agencies (Fla. Stat. § 559.72).

Licenses for collection agencies in Florida

License required
Yes
Who licenses
Florida Office of Financial Regulation (registration of consumer collection agencies)
Check a license
Official license lookup

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

In nearby states

Complaints about collectors in Florida

If a collector breaks the rules in Florida

  1. Write it down

    Log each call (date, time, who) and keep every letter, voicemail and text.

  2. Look up the company

    Florida requires a license, so check the collector's: Official license lookup.

  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 Florida Office of Financial Regulation. You can also complain to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.

  5. Know your right to sue in Florida

    Under Florida law: Yes. You can sue anyone who breaks § 559.72 for actual damages, extra statutory damages of up to $1,000, court costs and attorney's fees; the court may also award punitive damages.

Questions about collector laws in Florida

Do debt collectors need a license in Florida?

Yes. Florida Office of Financial Regulation (registration of consumer collection agencies)

Is there a Florida debt collection act?

Yes: the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act (FCCPA) (Fla. Stat. §§ 559.55–559.785). It also covers original creditors collecting their own debts.

Are there medical debt rules in Florida?

Since 2024 (HB 7089, ch. 2024-183): a hospital or surgery-center debt must be sued on within 3 years after it is sent to collection (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)); a vehicle up to $10,000 and personal property up to $10,000 are protected from collection of such debt (Fla. Stat. § 222.26); facilities must meet conditions, including 30 days' written notice, before 'extraordinary collection actions' such as credit reporting or suing (Fla. Stat. § 395.3011(2)). A 2025 law (HB 547, ch. 2025-98) adjusted the notice rule when debt is sold to some buyers.

Who takes complaints about collectors in Florida?

Florida Office of Financial Regulation: https://flofr.gov/enforcement/submit-a-complaint-or-tip · 850-487-9687

Does Florida law let me sue a collector?

Yes. You can sue anyone who breaks § 559.72 for actual damages, extra statutory damages of up to $1,000, court costs and attorney's fees; the court may also award punitive damages. You must sue within 2 years (Fla. Stat. § 559.77).

How do I verify a collection agency in Florida?

Use Florida's official license lookup: https://flofr.gov/education/verify-a-license.

What extra rules do collectors face in Florida?

No one collecting a consumer debt (including the original creditor) may contact you between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. your time without your consent. Since 2025, emails are allowed at any hour (Fla. Stat. § 559.72(17); ch. 2025-23). A collector may not contact your employer before getting a final court judgment, unless you agree in writing or acknowledge the debt in writing after it went to collection (Fla. Stat. § 559.72(4)). A collector may not tell others about a debt you reasonably dispute without saying it is disputed (Fla. Stat. § 559.72(6)).

Related Florida pages

Debt collector laws in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources