Ohio Debt Collection Laws and Your Rights

Your federal rights

These federal rules apply in Ohio and every other state. Ohio'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.

Ohio law and extra protections

Ohio has no general debt collection act; the federal rules above still apply.

Extra protections: A collection agency that sues on an assigned debt must have a separate written assignment and must sue in the county where you live. (R.C. 1319.12(C), (D))
Your home is protected from forced sale on a judgment for medical bills: the judgment lien can only be enforced when the home is sold or transferred. (R.C. 2329.66(A)(1)(a))
Can you sue under it?: Ohio has no separate debt collection act. The Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act (R.C. Chapter 1345) lets a consumer sue for a violation: actual economic damages plus up to $5,000 in noneconomic damages, or in some cases three times damages or $200, whichever is more, plus lawyer fees if the violation was knowing. (R.C. 1345.09) Whether it applies to a particular collector depends on the facts. Federal FDCPA rights still apply.
Official text: Read the law

Old debts in Ohio

Written contracts: 6 years
Open accounts and unwritten agreements: 6 years
Does a payment restart the clock?: Yes. If you make a payment, or sign a written acknowledgment or promise to pay, a new time limit starts from that date. (R.C. 2305.08)
Law: R.C. 2305.07(C) (6 years for consumer debts, written or not, counted from 30 days after the last charge or payment, whichever is later); R.C. 2305.06 (6 years for written contracts)
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 Ohio'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 Ohio

Wage limit: federal limit applies: you keep the greater of 75% of disposable earnings or 30 times the federal minimum wage per week (60 times biweekly, 65 times semimonthly, 130 times monthly). (R.C. 2329.66(A)(13))
Bank account: $625 in cash and bank deposits (other than earnings) is exempt from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2028. The law's base amount is $400; it is raised for inflation every three years. (R.C. 2329.66(A)(3), (B))
Law: R.C. 2329.66

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 Ohio

Your home is protected up to $182,625 in equity, and for a judgment on medical bills the home cannot be sold while you or your family use it as a residence (R.C. 2329.66(A)(1)). One motor vehicle is protected up to $5,025 (R.C. 2329.66(A)(2)). These are the amounts in effect from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2028; the statute lists lower base amounts that are adjusted every three years (R.C. 2329.66(B)).

Collector licensing in Ohio

License required: Not confirmed

Medical debt in Ohio

No Ohio law bans medical debt on credit reports as of October 2026. The Ohio Medical Debt Fairness Act (H.B. 257, 136th General Assembly) would cap interest and ban credit reporting, but it is still 'As Introduced' with no signing or effective date. Existing law protects your home from forced sale on a medical-debt judgment (R.C. 2329.66(A)(1)(a)).

If you are sued in Ohio

Time to answer: 28 days after you are served with the summons and complaint (Ohio Civ.R. 12(A)(1))
If you don't answer: If you do not answer within 28 days, the court can enter a default judgment against you, which can lead to wage or bank garnishment.
Court self-help: Ohio court self-help (official)

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

Where to complain in Ohio

Ohio: Ohio Attorney General, Consumer Protection Section
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 Ohio

Good to know in Ohio

Since June 16, 2021, Ohio gives 6 years to sue on most consumer debts, and the clock starts 30 days after your last charge or payment. (R.C. 2305.07(C))
A payment or a signed written promise to pay restarts the time limit in Ohio. (R.C. 2305.08)
Ohio gives you 28 days to answer a lawsuit. (Ohio Civ.R. 12(A))

Changes in 2024–2026

R.C. 2305.06 was amended by S.B. 219 (136th General Assembly), effective September 23, 2026, adding a cross-reference to R.C. 126.301; the 6-year period for written contracts did not change. R.C. 2329.66 (exemptions) was amended by H.B. 96 (136th GA), effective September 30, 2025; the dollar amounts above were not changed by it. Exemption amounts were raised for inflation on April 1, 2025. H.B. 257 (medical debt) introduced in 2025, not enacted.

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 Ohio

What is the statute of limitations on debt in Ohio?

6 years for written contracts and 6 years for open accounts and unwritten agreements (R.C. 2305.07(C) (6 years for consumer debts, written or not, counted from 30 days after the last charge or payment, whichever is later); R.C. 2305.06 (6 years for written contracts)).

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

Yes. If you make a payment, or sign a written acknowledgment or promise to pay, a new time limit starts from that date. (R.C. 2305.08)

How much of my paycheck can be garnished in Ohio?

federal limit applies: you keep the greater of 75% of disposable earnings or 30 times the federal minimum wage per week (60 times biweekly, 65 times semimonthly, 130 times monthly). (R.C. 2329.66(A)(13))

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

$625 in cash and bank deposits (other than earnings) is exempt from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2028. The law's base amount is $400; it is raised for inflation every three years. (R.C. 2329.66(A)(3), (B))

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

28 days after you are served with the summons and complaint (Ohio Civ.R. 12(A)(1))

Does Ohio protect people with medical debt?