Debt collector laws in Idaho

The Idaho debt collection law

State law

Idaho Collection Agency Act

Law

Idaho Code §§ 26-2221 to 26-2251

Covers original creditors

No

Official text

Read the law

Protections Idaho adds to federal law

• Collection agencies and debt buyers must be licensed by the Idaho Department of Finance (Idaho Code § 26-2223).
• If the collection agency and the creditor have a financial or management stake in each other, the agency must tell you every time it contacts you (§ 26-2229A(3)).
• Collectors cannot add interest, fees or charges unless a law, a court, or your agreement allows them, and attorney's fees must be reasonable and for real work (§ 26-2229A(4)).
• Collectors cannot send letters that look like court or government papers, or pretend to be a government agency (§ 26-2229A(5), (6)).

Idaho rules on medical debt

Idaho Patient Act (Idaho Code §§ 48-301 to 48-315, 2020, amended 2022): before a provider or collector can sue you, report you to a credit bureau, or sell the debt early, the provider must bill within 45 days, you must get a consolidated summary of services and a final notice, no interest or fees can be added until 60 days after that notice, and they must usually wait 90 days and finish any insurance appeals (§§ 48-303, 48-304).

Suing a collector in Idaho

The Department of Finance enforces the Idaho act: it can order refunds and fine violators up to $5,000 per violation (Idaho Code § 26-2244). Collecting without a license is a felony (§ 26-2238(2)). You can still sue under the federal FDCPA.

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).

Good to know in Idaho

• Debt buyers that bought debts already in default must be licensed in Idaho, like collection agencies (Idaho Code § 26-2223(6)). Collecting without a license is a felony (§ 26-2238(2)).

Licenses for collection agencies in Idaho

License required

Yes

Who licenses

Idaho Department of Finance, Consumer Finance Bureau

Check a license

Official license lookup

28 of our 48 state guides, Idaho included, require a collector license.

In nearby states

• Washington: Yes
• Oregon: Yes
• Nevada: Yes
• Utah: No statewide license

Where to complain in Idaho

• Idaho: Idaho Department of Finance · 208-332-8000
• 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.

Steps against an abusive collector in Idaho

1. Keep a record

   Note the date, time and caller of every contact, and keep letters, voicemails, emails and texts.

2. Identify the collector

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

3. Send a letter

   Send a letter to dispute a debt or to stop collector calls. Keep a copy and proof of mailing.

4. Complain

   Complain to Idaho Department of Finance. You can also complain to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.

5. Know your right to sue in Idaho

   Under Idaho law: The Department of Finance enforces the Idaho act: it can order refunds and fine violators up to $5,000 per violation (Idaho Code § 26-2244).

Questions about collector laws in Idaho

Keep reading about Idaho

• Idaho: every collection right on one page
• Statute of limitations in Idaho: 5 years
• Wage garnishment in Idaho: 25% (federal limit)
• Sued by a debt collector in Idaho: 21 days
• “Is my debt too old?” checker for Idaho
• Dispute a debt and ask for proof (validation letter)
• Tell a collector to stop or limit contact
• Debt collector licensing by state
• Guide: how to dispute a debt
• Guide: how to stop collector calls

Debt collector laws in nearby states