Dealing With Debt Collectors in Ohio (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Ohio · Last updated August 13, 2026
This guide explains how to handle a debt collector in Ohio. On top of your federal rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Ohio sets its own statute of limitations on debt: six years for a written contract under Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 2305.06 and four years for an oral contract under ORC 2305.07, both shortened by Senate Bill 13 in 2021. Ohio's Consumer Sales Practices Act (ORC Chapter 1345) reaches deceptive and unconscionable collection conduct, including by original creditors, and is enforced by the Ohio Attorney General. Ohio law also caps wage garnishment and shields certain income and property from collection under ORC Chapter 2716 and ORC 2329.66.
What is the statute of limitations on debt in Ohio?
In Ohio, a creditor generally has six years to sue on a written contract under ORC 2305.06 and four years on an oral contract under ORC 2305.07. Both periods were shortened by Senate Bill 13, effective June 14, 2021, down from eight and six years. Once the period passes, the debt is time-barred.
Can my wages be garnished for consumer debt in Ohio?
Yes. After a collector wins a judgment, Ohio allows wage garnishment under ORC Chapter 2716, capped at 25 percent of your disposable earnings, matching the federal limit. Certain income such as workers' compensation, unemployment, and support payments is exempt under ORC 2329.66, and you must receive advance notice before garnishment.
How do I stop a debt collector from contacting me in Ohio?
Send a written cease-communication letter under FDCPA section 1692c(c). Once the collector receives it, it must stop contacting you except to confirm it is stopping or to say it may sue. Keep proof of mailing. This stops contact but does not cancel the debt or block a lawsuit before the Ohio limitations period runs.
What can a debt collector not do to me in Ohio?
Beyond the federal FDCPA bans on harassment and false statements, Ohio's Consumer Sales Practices Act (ORC 1345.02 and 1345.03) prohibits unfair, deceptive, or unconscionable collection acts, including by original creditors. A collector cannot misstate the amount owed, threaten action it will not take, or use deceptive collection letters.
How Ohio law shapes debt collection
Ohio does not have a standalone fair-debt-collection statute, but its Consumer Sales Practices Act (ORC Chapter 1345) fills much of that role. ORC 1345.02 and 1345.03 bar unfair, deceptive, and unconscionable acts in consumer transactions, and Ohio courts and Attorney General rules have applied it to collection conduct, reaching original creditors as well as third-party collectors, unlike the federal FDCPA. A successful private claim can allow rescission or three times actual damages under ORC 1345.09. Ohio does not license or register collection agencies at the state level, so oversight runs through the Ohio Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section and, where applicable, the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions. On garnishment, Ohio follows the federal 25 percent cap on disposable earnings (ORC Chapter 2716) and protects wages and property through the exemptions in ORC 2329.66, including a bank-account exemption. You can report an abusive collector to the Ohio Attorney General at filecomplaint.ohioattorneygeneral.gov or by calling 1-800-282-0515.
Relevant Laws
Ohio Statute of Limitations on Written Contracts, ORC 2305.06
Sets a six-year limitations period to sue on a written contract in Ohio, running from when the cause of action accrues. Senate Bill 13 shortened this from eight years, effective June 14, 2021. Credit card and most signed loan debts are generally treated as written contracts under this section.
Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act, ORC Chapter 1345
Ohio's consumer-protection statute barring unfair, deceptive, and unconscionable acts in consumer transactions (ORC 1345.02, 1345.03), applied to collection conduct and reaching original creditors. ORC 1345.09 allows private remedies including rescission or treble actual damages, and the Ohio Attorney General enforces it.
Ohio Exemptions from Execution and Garnishment, ORC 2329.66
Lists property and income exempt from collection in Ohio, including a homestead amount, a portion of a bank account, and fully exempt income such as workers' compensation, unemployment, disability, and support payments. Works with the 25 percent wage-garnishment cap in ORC Chapter 2716.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), 15 U.S.C. 1692
The federal statute governing third-party debt collectors nationwide. It bars harassment (1692d), false or misleading representations (1692e), and unfair practices (1692f), creates the 30-day validation right (1692g), and allows suit generally within one year (1692k). It applies in Ohio alongside state law.
Regional Variances
Ohio statute of limitations on debt by type
Written contract (ORC 2305.06)
Six years from when the cause of action accrues. Shortened from eight years by Senate Bill 13, effective June 14, 2021. Most signed loans and, in practice, credit card agreements fall here.
Oral contract (ORC 2305.07)
Four years from accrual. Shortened from six years by Senate Bill 13, effective June 14, 2021. Applies to unwritten agreements to repay.
Open account / credit card
Ohio courts generally treat credit card debt as a written contract under the six-year period in ORC 2305.06. Ohio does not use a separate shorter open-account period for these debts.: confirm treatment of a purely open account with no signed agreement.
Promissory note
: confirm the specific Ohio limitations period for an action on a promissory note (negotiable instruments may fall under Ohio's UCC provisions rather than ORC 2305.06).
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Confirm the validation notice and diary the 30-day deadline
Within 5 days of first contact days after startingCheck that the collector sent the FDCPA validation notice identifying the creditor, amount, and your dispute rights. Note the date received and calendar the 30-day window to dispute in writing under 15 U.S.C. 1692g before you pay anything in Ohio.
Check the Ohio statute of limitations on the debt
Before making any payment or promise days after startingDetermine whether the debt is time-barred: six years for a written contract (ORC 2305.06) or four years for an oral contract (ORC 2305.07), both shortened by Senate Bill 13 in 2021. A payment or written acknowledgment can restart the clock, so verify the date of last payment or default first.
Send a written debt validation letter
Within 30 days of 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. Keep proof of mailing.
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 remedy. In Ohio this stops contact but does not pause the limitations clock.
File a complaint with the Ohio Attorney General or CFPB
Within 1 year of any FDCPA violation days after startingReport abusive collection to the Ohio Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section at filecomplaint.ohioattorneygeneral.gov or 1-800-282-0515 under the Consumer Sales Practices Act, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirm the validation notice and diary the 30-day deadline | Check that the collector sent the FDCPA validation notice identifying the creditor, amount, and your dispute rights. Note the date received and calendar the 30-day window to dispute in writing under 15 U.S.C. 1692g before you pay anything in Ohio. | - | Within 5 days of first contact |
| Check the Ohio statute of limitations on the debt | Determine whether the debt is time-barred: six years for a written contract (ORC 2305.06) or four years for an oral contract (ORC 2305.07), both shortened by Senate Bill 13 in 2021. A payment or written acknowledgment can restart the clock, so verify the date of last payment or default first. | - | Before making any payment or promise |
| 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. Keep proof of mailing. | debt-validation-letter | Within 30 days of 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 remedy. In Ohio this stops contact but does not pause the limitations clock. | cease-and-desist-letter | As soon as you decide to stop contact |
| File a complaint with the Ohio Attorney General or CFPB | Report abusive collection to the Ohio Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section at filecomplaint.ohioattorneygeneral.gov or 1-800-282-0515 under the Consumer Sales Practices Act, 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 Ohio is generally treated as a written contract, so the six-year limit under ORC 2305.06 usually applies, running from your last payment or default. Senate Bill 13 shortened that period from eight years to six, effective June 14, 2021. If a collector sues after the period runs, you can raise the statute of limitations as a defense.
Yes. Ohio Senate Bill 13, effective June 14, 2021, cut the written-contract limitations period from eight years to six (ORC 2305.06) and the oral-contract period from six years to four (ORC 2305.07). For claims that accrued before that date, transition rules apply, so the exact deadline on an older debt can depend on when the cause of action arose.
No. Ohio does not license or register collection agencies at the state level, unlike many states. Collectors operating in Ohio must still comply with the federal FDCPA, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and Ohio's Consumer Sales Practices Act (ORC Chapter 1345). The Ohio Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section provides oversight and accepts complaints.
No. Ohio wage garnishment is capped at 25 percent of your disposable earnings under ORC Chapter 2716, and you get advance notice. ORC 2329.66 exempts certain income entirely, including workers' compensation, unemployment, disability, and support payments, and shields a portion of a bank account and a homestead amount from collection.
Yes. You can sue under the federal FDCPA (15 U.S.C. 1692k) generally within one year, recovering actual damages, statutory damages up to $1,000, and attorney's fees. Ohio's Consumer Sales Practices Act (ORC 1345.09) can add remedies such as rescission or three times your actual economic damages for deceptive or unconscionable conduct. An attorney can evaluate your claim.
Other Ohio guides
Ready to Draft Your Document?
Get AI-powered legal documents with attorney review included. Plans start at $39.99/mo.