Dealing With Debt Collectors in Rhode Island (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Rhode Island · Last updated August 13, 2026
This page explains how Rhode Island law protects you when a debt collector calls, on top of your federal rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Rhode Island uses an unusually long general limitations period: R.I. Gen. Laws 9-1-13 gives a creditor ten years to sue on most debts, including written contracts and credit card accounts, unless a shorter period is specially provided. Rhode Island also has its own Rhode Island Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, R.I. Gen. Laws 19-14.9, which mirrors the federal law and requires debt collectors to register with the Department of Business Regulation. Deceptive collection can also violate the state Deceptive Trade Practices Act, R.I. Gen. Laws 6-13.1, and a generous $500,000 homestead plus wage protections limit what a collector can reach. The Rhode Island Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit handles collection complaints.
What is the statute of limitations on debt in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island sets an unusually long ten-year general limitations period under R.I. Gen. Laws 9-1-13, which covers written contracts and most credit card and account debt unless a shorter period is specially provided. After ten years from when the debt accrued, a collection lawsuit is generally time-barred, though the debt itself is not erased.
Can my wages be garnished for consumer debt in Rhode Island?
Yes, but limits apply. Rhode Island follows the federal garnishment cap and adds its own exemptions under R.I. Gen. Laws 9-26-4, which fully protects the wages of a debtor who has received public assistance within the past year. The state also shields a $500,000 homestead under R.I. Gen. Laws 9-26-4.1.
How do I stop a debt collector from calling me in Rhode Island?
Send a written cease-communication letter. Under the FDCPA (15 U.S.C. 1692c) a collector must stop contact once it receives your letter, except to confirm it is stopping or to state a specific remedy. The Rhode Island Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, R.I. Gen. Laws 19-14.9-6, independently bars harassing and repeated calls.
What can a debt collector not do under Rhode Island law?
Under R.I. Gen. Laws 19-14.9, a collector cannot harass or abuse you, use threats or profane language, or make false or deceptive statements about a debt. Debt collectors must also register with the Department of Business Regulation under R.I. Gen. Laws 19-14.9-12, and unregistered collection is itself unlawful.
How Rhode Island regulates debt collectors
Rhode Island is a comparatively consumer-protective state, but it stands out first for its long limitations period: R.I. Gen. Laws 9-1-13 gives a creditor ten years to sue on most debt, far longer than the three-to-six years common elsewhere, so old accounts can remain collectible for a long time. Unlike states that rely only on the federal FDCPA, Rhode Island has its own Rhode Island Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, R.I. Gen. Laws 19-14.9, which closely tracks the federal statute and prohibits harassment (19-14.9-6), false or misleading representations, and unfair practices. It generally applies to third-party debt collectors, and reaches a creditor who uses a name other than its own to make you think a third party is collecting. A distinctive feature is registration: after July 1, 2008, a person may not engage in the business of a debt collector in Rhode Island without registering with the Department of Business Regulation under R.I. Gen. Laws 19-14.9-12, a $200 registration effective for three years. Deceptive or unfair collection conduct can also violate the Rhode Island Deceptive Trade Practices Act (the Unfair Trade Practice and Consumer Protection Act), R.I. Gen. Laws 6-13.1, which allows a private action for actual damages or $200, whichever is greater, under 6-13.1-5.2. On collection, Rhode Island shields a $500,000 homestead under R.I. Gen. Laws 9-26-4.1 and, under 9-26-4, fully exempts the wages of a debtor who has been on public assistance within the past year. You can complain to the Rhode Island Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit at riag.ri.gov/forms/consumer-complaint or 401-274-4400.
Relevant Laws
Rhode Island Statute of Limitations, R.I. Gen. Laws 9-1-13
Sets the general Rhode Island limitations period: except as otherwise specially provided, all civil actions must be commenced within ten years after the cause of action accrues. This ten-year period governs most Rhode Island debt, including written contracts and credit card and open-account balances, and is far longer than the periods in most states.
Rhode Island Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, R.I. Gen. Laws 19-14.9
Rhode Island's own collection statute, which mirrors the federal FDCPA. It prohibits harassment and abuse (19-14.9-6), false or misleading representations, and unfair practices, requires debt collectors to register with the Department of Business Regulation (19-14.9-12), and lets a consumer sue within one year for actual damages plus up to $1,000 (19-14.9-13).
Rhode Island Exemptions, R.I. Gen. Laws 9-26-4 and 9-26-4.1
Section 9-26-4 lists property and wages exempt from attachment, including the full wages of a debtor who received public assistance within the past year. Section 9-26-4.1 provides a homestead exemption of up to $500,000 in a principal residence from attachment, levy, and sale for most debts.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), 15 U.S.C. 1692
The federal statute governing third-party debt collectors. It bars harassment (1692d), false representations (1692e), and unfair practices (1692f), creates the 30-day debt validation right (1692g), and lets you demand that a collector cease communication (1692c). It works alongside Rhode Island law, though state law bars double recovery.
Regional Variances
Rhode Island statute of limitations by debt type
Written contract
Ten years under R.I. Gen. Laws 9-1-13, the general limitations period for civil actions where no shorter period is specially provided. A creditor generally must sue within ten years after the cause of action accrues.
Oral contract
Ten years under R.I. Gen. Laws 9-1-13, which applies to civil actions generally and is not limited to written agreements. Rhode Island does not set a separate shorter period for oral contracts in the way many states do; confirm any narrower rule for a specific claim type.
Open account / credit card
Ten years under R.I. Gen. Laws 9-1-13, which Rhode Island courts and practitioners apply to book accounts, charge accounts, and similar debt. Credit card and open-account balances are generally subject to this ten-year period unless a shorter period is specially provided.
Promissory note
Ten years under the general period in R.I. Gen. Laws 9-1-13 for most notes. For a negotiable instrument, Rhode Island's version of UCC Article 3 may set a distinct period; confirm the exact cite and whether a note qualifies as a negotiable instrument. Verify the accrual date, which typically runs from the note's due date or demand.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Confirm the debt is not past the Rhode Island 10-year limitations period
Before making any payment or promise days after startingFind the date the debt accrued or your last payment, then compare it against the ten-year general period in R.I. Gen. Laws 9-1-13. Because Rhode Island's period is long, more old debts remain enforceable here. A payment or written acknowledgment can restart the clock, so verify the dates before you settle, pay, or promise to pay.
Verify the collector is registered with the Department of Business Regulation
Before engaging with the collector days after startingDebt collectors must register under R.I. Gen. Laws 19-14.9-12. Confirm the collector is registered with the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation. Collecting without registration is unlawful and can be reported to the Department and the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit.
Send a written debt validation letter
Within 30 days of the collector's 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. The Rhode Island Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, R.I. Gen. Laws 19-14.9-6, also bars harassing contact. Keep proof of mailing.
File a complaint with the Rhode Island Attorney General or CFPB
Promptly after a violation days after startingSubmit a complaint to the Rhode Island Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit at riag.ri.gov/forms/consumer-complaint, 401-274-4400, or 4 Howard Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920, and to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Under R.I. Gen. Laws 19-14.9-13 suit generally must be brought within one year, so an attorney can advise you promptly.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirm the debt is not past the Rhode Island 10-year limitations period | Find the date the debt accrued or your last payment, then compare it against the ten-year general period in R.I. Gen. Laws 9-1-13. Because Rhode Island's period is long, more old debts remain enforceable here. A payment or written acknowledgment can restart the clock, so verify the dates before you settle, pay, or promise to pay. | - | Before making any payment or promise |
| Verify the collector is registered with the Department of Business Regulation | Debt collectors must register under R.I. Gen. Laws 19-14.9-12. Confirm the collector is registered with the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation. Collecting without registration is unlawful and can be reported to the Department and the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit. | - | Before engaging with the collector |
| 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 the collector's 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. The Rhode Island Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, R.I. Gen. Laws 19-14.9-6, also bars harassing contact. Keep proof of mailing. | cease-and-desist-letter | As soon as you decide to stop contact |
| File a complaint with the Rhode Island Attorney General or CFPB | Submit a complaint to the Rhode Island Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit at riag.ri.gov/forms/consumer-complaint, 401-274-4400, or 4 Howard Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920, and to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Under R.I. Gen. Laws 19-14.9-13 suit generally must be brought within one year, so an attorney can advise you promptly. | - | Promptly after a violation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Credit card debt in Rhode Island is generally governed by the ten-year general limitations period in R.I. Gen. Laws 9-1-13, which applies to civil actions unless a shorter period is specially provided. That is much longer than in most states. After ten years from when the debt accrued or your last activity, a collection lawsuit is generally time-barred. Making a payment or acknowledging the debt in writing can restart the ten-year clock.
Yes. Under R.I. Gen. Laws 19-14.9-12, after July 1, 2008 a person may not engage in the business of a debt collector in Rhode Island without registering with the Department of Business Regulation. Registration costs $200 and lasts three years. Attorneys collecting for a client and certain regulated financial institutions are exempt. Collecting without registration is unlawful and can be reported.
Yes. The Rhode Island Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, R.I. Gen. Laws 19-14.9, closely tracks the federal FDCPA and prohibits harassment, false or misleading representations, and unfair collection practices. It generally applies to third-party collectors and to a creditor who uses another name to appear as a third party. Deceptive collection can also violate the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, R.I. Gen. Laws 6-13.1.
Rhode Island shields a homestead of up to $500,000 in your principal residence from attachment for most debts under R.I. Gen. Laws 9-26-4.1, one of the more generous homestead protections in the country. Under R.I. Gen. Laws 9-26-4, the wages of a debtor who received public assistance within the past year are fully exempt, and other personal property exemptions also apply.
Yes. Under R.I. Gen. Laws 19-14.9-13 you generally have one year to sue a collector that violates the state Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and can recover actual damages plus additional damages up to $1,000. Rhode Island does not allow double recovery under both the state act and the federal FDCPA. A deceptive practice may also support a claim under R.I. Gen. Laws 6-13.1; an attorney can help you evaluate a claim.
Other Rhode Island guides
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