Dealing With Debt Collectors in Arkansas (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Arkansas · Last updated August 13, 2026
This guide covers dealing with debt collectors in Arkansas, layering state law on top of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. 1692). Arkansas sets its own statute of limitations on debt: five years for written contracts and promissory notes (Ark. Code 16-56-111) and three years for open accounts, credit cards, and oral contracts (Ark. Code 16-56-105). The state also has its own Arkansas Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (Ark. Code 17-24-501 et seq.) and licenses collection agencies through the State Board of Collection Agencies. Arkansas strongly protects wages: the state constitution and Ark. Code 16-66-208 exempt sixty days of a wage earner's pay and make the first $25 per week of net wages absolutely exempt. This page explains your rights and the state complaint channels.
What is the statute of limitations on debt in Arkansas?
It depends on the debt type. Under Ark. Code 16-56-111, a written contract or promissory note has a five-year limit. Under Ark. Code 16-56-105, an open account, credit card, or oral contract has a three-year limit. After the period runs, a collector can still ask but generally cannot win a lawsuit if you raise the defense.
Can my wages be garnished for consumer debt in Arkansas?
Wage garnishment is possible after a judgment but is heavily limited. Under Ark. Const. art. 9 and Ark. Code 16-66-208, sixty days of a laborer's or mechanic's wages are exempt within the constitutional cap, and the first $25 per week of net wages is absolutely exempt. You must file a sworn claim to secure the exemption.
How do I stop a debt collector from contacting me in Arkansas?
Send a written cease-communication letter. Under 15 U.S.C. 1692c(c) the collector must stop contacting you once it receives your letter, except to confirm it is stopping or to state a specific remedy like a lawsuit. The Arkansas FDCPA (Ark. Code 17-24-501 et seq.) mirrors these limits for licensed agencies. Keep proof of mailing.
What can a debt collector not do in Arkansas?
A collector cannot harass, threaten, deceive, or use unfair practices under the federal FDCPA (15 U.S.C. 1692d-1692f) and the Arkansas Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (Ark. Code 17-24-501 et seq.). It cannot misstate the debt, falsely threaten arrest, or contact you after a proper cease letter. Unlicensed collection is barred by the State Board of Collection Agencies.
How Arkansas regulates debt collectors and protects wage earners
Arkansas is a state with its own collection-specific law layered on the federal FDCPA. The General Assembly enacted the Arkansas Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (Ark. Code 17-24-501 et seq.) in 2009 to give consumers added protection against unfair collection conduct. Collection agencies must be licensed by the State Board of Collection Agencies (Ark. Code 17-24-101 et seq., a board created in 1965) if they are located in Arkansas or contact Arkansas debtors, so you can check whether a collector is authorized to operate. Deceptive or unconscionable collection tactics may also violate the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (Ark. Code 4-88-101 et seq.). Arkansas is notably protective of wages: under Ark. Const. art. 9 and Ark. Code 16-66-208, sixty days of a laborer's or mechanic's wages are exempt within the constitutional personal-property cap ($500 for a married person or head of household, $200 otherwise), and the first $25 per week of net wages is absolutely exempt from garnishment. Consumers can report violations to the Arkansas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, the State Board of Collection Agencies, or the CFPB.
Relevant Laws
Arkansas Statute of Limitations on Written Contracts and Notes, Ark. Code 16-56-111
Sets a five-year limitations period for actions on written contracts, promissory notes, and other writings, running from when the cause of action accrues. It also provides that a partial payment or written acknowledgment of default tolls the period, which can restart the clock on a written debt.
Arkansas Three-Year Limitations Period, Ark. Code 16-56-105
Applies a three-year statute of limitations to actions founded on contracts or liabilities not in writing, including open accounts and most credit card and oral-contract debts. After the three years run, the debtor can raise the limitations defense to a collection lawsuit.
Arkansas Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Ark. Code 17-24-501 et seq.
Arkansas's own fair-debt statute, enacted in 2009 and administered alongside the State Board of Collection Agencies (Ark. Code 17-24-101 et seq.). It requires licensing of collection agencies operating in or contacting Arkansas and prohibits harassing, false, and unfair collection practices, supplementing the federal FDCPA.
Arkansas Wage Exemption from Garnishment, Ark. Code 16-66-208
Implements the wage protections of Ark. Const. art. 9. Sixty days of a laborer's or mechanic's wages are exempt within the constitutional personal-property cap, and the first $25 per week of net wages is absolutely exempt. A sustained exemption also blocks re-garnishment of those wages for sixty days.
Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), 15 U.S.C. 1692
The federal baseline governing third-party debt collectors nationwide. It bars harassment (1692d), false or misleading representations (1692e), and unfair practices (1692f), creates the 30-day debt validation right (1692g), and allows suit within one year (1692k). Arkansas law layers on top of these protections.
Regional Variances
Arkansas statute of limitations by debt type
Written contract (Ark. Code 16-56-111)
Five years. Actions to enforce a written contract or obligation must be brought within five years of accrual. A partial payment or written acknowledgment of default tolls the period, which can restart the clock.
Promissory note / written instrument (Ark. Code 16-56-111)
Five years. Promissory notes and other instruments in writing fall under the same five-year period as written contracts, measured from when the cause of action accrues.
Open account / credit card (Ark. Code 16-56-105)
Three years. Open accounts and most credit card debts, treated as liabilities not in writing, carry a three-year limitations period. If a debt rests on a signed written agreement, the five-year rule under 16-56-111 may apply instead.
Oral contract (Ark. Code 16-56-105)
Three years. Actions on unwritten or oral contracts and implied liabilities must be commenced within three years after the cause of action accrues.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Read the collector's validation notice and diary the 30-day deadline
Within 5 days of first contact days after startingConfirm the collector sent the Regulation F validation notice (12 CFR 1006.34) identifying the creditor, amount, and dispute rights. Note the date received and calendar the 30-day window to dispute under 15 U.S.C. 1692g.
Verify the Arkansas statute of limitations and licensing status
Before paying, settling, or promising to pay days after startingDetermine whether the debt is a written contract or note (five years, Ark. Code 16-56-111) or an open account, credit card, or oral debt (three years, Ark. Code 16-56-105). Also check whether the collector is licensed with the Arkansas State Board of Collection Agencies. Avoid payments that could toll the clock under 16-56-111.
Send a written debt validation letter
Within 30 days of receiving the validation notice days after startingIf you do not recognize the debt or the amount looks wrong, mail a written dispute and request for verification within the 30-day window. This forces the collector to stop collecting until it mails you proof of the debt.
Send a cease-and-desist letter if you want contact to stop
As soon as you decide to stop contact days after startingUnder 15 U.S.C. 1692c(c), a written cease-communication letter requires the collector to stop contacting you once received, except to confirm it is stopping or to state a specific remedy. The Arkansas FDCPA imposes parallel limits on licensed agencies. Keep proof of mailing.
File a complaint with the Arkansas AG, the State Board of Collection Agencies, or the CFPB
Within 1 year of any FDCPA violation days after startingReport violations to the Arkansas Attorney General at arkansasag.gov/file-a-complaint, consumer@arkansasag.gov, or 800-482-8982, to the State Board of Collection Agencies, and to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Because 15 U.S.C. 1692k generally requires suit within one year, consult an attorney promptly.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read the collector's validation notice and diary the 30-day deadline | Confirm the collector sent the Regulation F validation notice (12 CFR 1006.34) identifying the creditor, amount, and dispute rights. Note the date received and calendar the 30-day window to dispute under 15 U.S.C. 1692g. | - | Within 5 days of first contact |
| Verify the Arkansas statute of limitations and licensing status | Determine whether the debt is a written contract or note (five years, Ark. Code 16-56-111) or an open account, credit card, or oral debt (three years, Ark. Code 16-56-105). Also check whether the collector is licensed with the Arkansas State Board of Collection Agencies. Avoid payments that could toll the clock under 16-56-111. | - | Before paying, settling, or promising to pay |
| Send a written debt validation letter | If you do not recognize the debt or the amount looks wrong, mail a written dispute and request for verification within the 30-day window. This forces the collector to stop collecting until it mails you proof of the debt. | debt-validation-letter | Within 30 days of receiving the validation notice |
| Send a cease-and-desist letter if you want contact to stop | Under 15 U.S.C. 1692c(c), a written cease-communication letter requires the collector to stop contacting you once received, except to confirm it is stopping or to state a specific remedy. The Arkansas FDCPA imposes parallel limits on licensed agencies. Keep proof of mailing. | cease-and-desist-letter | As soon as you decide to stop contact |
| File a complaint with the Arkansas AG, the State Board of Collection Agencies, or the CFPB | Report violations to the Arkansas Attorney General at arkansasag.gov/file-a-complaint, consumer@arkansasag.gov, or 800-482-8982, to the State Board of Collection Agencies, and to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Because 15 U.S.C. 1692k generally requires suit within one year, consult an attorney promptly. | - | Within 1 year of any FDCPA violation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Credit card debt in Arkansas is generally treated as an open account with a three-year statute of limitations under Ark. Code 16-56-105. If the debt is based on a signed written agreement, a five-year limit under Ark. Code 16-56-111 may apply instead. Because the correct period can turn on the paperwork, confirm the documents before assuming a debt is time-barred, and an attorney can help you evaluate it.
Only after obtaining a court judgment, and Arkansas limits how much it can take. Under Ark. Const. art. 9 and Ark. Code 16-66-208, sixty days of a laborer's or mechanic's wages are exempt within the constitutional cap, and the first $25 per week of net wages is absolutely exempt. You must file a sworn claim of exemption with the court to secure this protection, so act quickly if you are served.
Yes. Collection agencies must be licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Collection Agencies (Ark. Code 17-24-101 et seq.) if they are located in Arkansas or contact Arkansas debtors. The board, created in 1965, regulates agency conduct and can act on complaints. You can report an unlicensed or abusive collector to the board in addition to the Attorney General and the CFPB.
It can. Ark. Code 16-56-111 provides that a partial payment or a written acknowledgment of default tolls the limitations period on a written obligation. That means paying even a small amount, or acknowledging the debt in writing, can restart the clock and revive a debt that was close to time-barred. Confirm the age of the debt before you pay or sign anything.
Yes. Under the federal FDCPA (15 U.S.C. 1692k) you generally have one year to sue and may recover actual damages, statutory damages up to $1,000, and attorney's fees. The Arkansas Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (Ark. Code 17-24-501 et seq.) and the Deceptive Trade Practices Act (Ark. Code 4-88-101 et seq.) may provide additional state remedies. An attorney can help you assess a claim.
Other Arkansas guides
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