Dealing With Debt Collectors in Missouri (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Missouri · Last updated August 13, 2026
This page covers your rights when a debt collector contacts you in Missouri. On top of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA, 15 U.S.C. 1692), Missouri sets its own statute of limitations on debt: ten years for most written contracts for the payment of money (Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.110) and five years for other contracts and open accounts (516.120). Missouri also caps wage garnishment under Mo. Rev. Stat. 525.030 and protects a homestead under 513.475. Deceptive collection conduct can violate the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (Mo. Rev. Stat. 407), which the Missouri Attorney General enforces.
What is the statute of limitations on debt in Missouri?
It depends on the debt type. Under Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.110, most written contracts for the payment of money have a ten-year limitations period. Under 516.120, other contracts, oral agreements, and open accounts such as many credit cards run five years. After the period passes, a collector can still ask but generally cannot win a lawsuit.
Can my wages be garnished for consumer debt in Missouri?
Yes, but only after a creditor sues and wins a judgment. Under Mo. Rev. Stat. 525.030, a garnishment cannot take more than 25 percent of your disposable weekly earnings, or 10 percent if you are the head of a family residing in Missouri, or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is least.
How do I stop a debt collector from contacting me in Missouri?
Send a written cease-communication letter. Under 15 U.S.C. 1692c(c), once a collector receives your letter it must stop contacting you except to confirm it is stopping or to say it may pursue a specific remedy like a lawsuit. Keep proof of mailing. The letter stops contact but does not erase the debt.
What can a debt collector not do in Missouri?
A collector cannot harass, threaten, or deceive you under the FDCPA (15 U.S.C. 1692d, 1692e). Deceptive or unfair collection tied to a consumer transaction can also violate the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (Mo. Rev. Stat. 407.020), which the Missouri Attorney General enforces. It cannot garnish wages without a court judgment.
How Missouri law shapes debt collection
Missouri does not have a standalone consumer debt collection practices act that mirrors the FDCPA, so third-party collectors are governed primarily by the federal FDCPA. However, deceptive, fraudulent, or unfair conduct connected to a consumer transaction can be pursued under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, Mo. Rev. Stat. 407.020, which the Missouri Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division enforces and which also allows private suits by consumers who suffer an ascertainable loss. Missouri's statute of limitations splits sharply by debt type: ten years for most written contracts for the payment of money (Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.110) versus five years for other contracts and open accounts (516.120), so identifying which category your debt falls in matters. If a creditor sues and wins, Missouri limits wage garnishment under Mo. Rev. Stat. 525.030 to 25 percent of disposable earnings, or 10 percent for a head of family residing in Missouri, and protects a homestead worth up to $15,000 under 513.475. Whether debt collectors must hold a general state license in Missouri is not established here; confirm current licensing requirements before relying on that point.: Missouri statewide debt-collector licensing requirement and licensing agency.
Relevant Laws
Missouri Statute of Limitations, Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.110 and 516.120
Sets Missouri's limitations periods on debt. Section 516.110 gives ten years for actions on most written contracts or promises for the payment of money or property. Section 516.120 gives five years for other contracts, obligations, and liabilities, including open accounts such as many credit cards.
Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, Mo. Rev. Stat. 407.020
Declares deception, fraud, false pretense, misrepresentation, and unfair practices in connection with a consumer transaction unlawful. Deceptive or unfair collection conduct tied to a consumer transaction can fall under it. The Missouri Attorney General enforces it, and consumers who suffer an ascertainable loss may sue.
Missouri Wage Garnishment and Homestead Exemption, Mo. Rev. Stat. 525.030 and 513.475
Section 525.030 caps wage garnishment at 25 percent of disposable weekly earnings, or 10 percent for a head of family residing in Missouri, or the amount over 30 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is least. Section 513.475 exempts a homestead worth up to $15,000 from attachment and execution.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), 15 U.S.C. 1692
The federal law governing third-party debt collectors nationwide. It bars harassment (1692d), false or misleading representations (1692e), and unfair practices (1692f), restricts contact (1692c), creates the 30-day validation right (1692g), and allows suit within one year (1692k).
Regional Variances
Missouri statute of limitations by debt type
Written contract for payment of money
Ten years under Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.110. This is Missouri's longest common contract limitations period and covers most signed written promises or contracts for the payment of money or property.
Oral contract
Five years under Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.120, which covers contracts, obligations, or liabilities not based on a writing for the payment of money and not otherwise specified. Oral agreements fall here.
Open account / credit card
Generally five years under Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.120 as a contract or obligation not based on a signed writing. Whether a specific card debt is instead a written contract under 516.110 depends on the account documents.: Missouri appellate authority on classifying credit card debt as an account under 516.120.
Promissory note
Ten years under Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.110 where the note is a written promise for the payment of money. A note that is a negotiable instrument may also be subject to Missouri's Uniform Commercial Code limitations rules.: applicability of Mo. Rev. Stat. 400.3-118 UCC limitations to negotiable notes.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Identify your debt type and confirm the Missouri limitations period
Within 5 days of first contact days after startingDetermine whether your debt is a written contract for payment of money (ten years, Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.110) or another contract or open account (five years, 516.120). Note when you last paid, because a payment or written acknowledgment can restart the clock. Do not admit a time-barred debt before checking.
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 under 15 U.S.C. 1692g. 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 it may pursue a specific remedy. Keep proof of mailing. This does not erase the debt.
Confirm your Missouri wage and homestead exemptions
Before any judgment or garnishment days after startingKnow that Mo. Rev. Stat. 525.030 caps garnishment at 25 percent of disposable earnings, or 10 percent for a head of family residing in Missouri, and that 513.475 protects a homestead worth up to $15,000. Identify exempt funds such as Social Security so you can claim protections if a collector levies.
File a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General and the CFPB
Within 1 year of any FDCPA violation days after startingSubmit a complaint to the Missouri Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at ago.mo.gov, by email at consumer.help@ago.mo.gov, or by calling 800-392-8222, and to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Because 15 U.S.C. 1692k generally requires suit within one year, consult an attorney promptly about damages.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify your debt type and confirm the Missouri limitations period | Determine whether your debt is a written contract for payment of money (ten years, Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.110) or another contract or open account (five years, 516.120). Note when you last paid, because a payment or written acknowledgment can restart the clock. Do not admit a time-barred debt before checking. | - | Within 5 days of first contact |
| 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 under 15 U.S.C. 1692g. 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 it may pursue a specific remedy. Keep proof of mailing. This does not erase the debt. | cease-and-desist-letter | As soon as you decide to stop contact |
| Confirm your Missouri wage and homestead exemptions | Know that Mo. Rev. Stat. 525.030 caps garnishment at 25 percent of disposable earnings, or 10 percent for a head of family residing in Missouri, and that 513.475 protects a homestead worth up to $15,000. Identify exempt funds such as Social Security so you can claim protections if a collector levies. | - | Before any judgment or garnishment |
| File a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General and the CFPB | Submit a complaint to the Missouri Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at ago.mo.gov, by email at consumer.help@ago.mo.gov, or by calling 800-392-8222, and to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Because 15 U.S.C. 1692k generally requires suit within one year, consult an attorney promptly about damages. | - | Within 1 year of any FDCPA violation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Most credit card debt is treated as an open account or contract not based on a signed writing for payment, so it generally falls under Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.120, which sets a five-year limitations period. If the debt rests on a written contract for the payment of money, the ten-year period in 516.110 can apply instead. Because the outcome depends on the paperwork, an attorney can help classify your debt.
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.110, actions on most written promises or contracts for the payment of money or property carry a ten-year statute of limitations in Missouri. That is longer than the five-year period for other contracts and open accounts under 516.120. After the period runs, a collector may still ask you to pay but generally cannot obtain a valid judgment against you.
Only after suing you and winning a judgment. Missouri then limits wage garnishment under Mo. Rev. Stat. 525.030 to 25 percent of disposable weekly earnings, or 10 percent if you are a head of family residing in Missouri. A bank account can also be levied, but exempt funds such as Social Security and certain other benefits are generally protected from collection.
Missouri does not have a standalone consumer debt collection practices act like some states. Third-party collectors are governed mainly by the federal FDCPA (15 U.S.C. 1692). However, deceptive, fraudulent, or unfair collection connected to a consumer transaction can violate the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (Mo. Rev. Stat. 407.020), enforced by the Missouri Attorney General and open to private suit.
Yes. Under 15 U.S.C. 1692k you can sue a collector that violates the FDCPA, generally within one year, and recover actual damages, statutory damages up to $1,000, and attorney's fees. If the conduct also violated Mo. Rev. Stat. 407.020 in connection with a consumer transaction, you may have a separate Missouri claim for actual damages. An attorney can evaluate both.
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