Debt Validation Letter in Ohio
Ask a debt collector to prove a debt. Under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. § 1692g), if you dispute in writing within the validation period, the collector must stop collecting until it sends verification. Send it by certified mail and keep a copy.
What Ohio law says
| State debt collection law | Ohio has no separate debt collection statute; the Ohio Attorney General says the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act, together with the federal FDCPA, protects consumers from abusive, deceptive and unfair collection practices on personal, family or household debts. A consumer may sue within one year of a violation. Debts owed to government agencies (taxes, parking tickets, child support) are not covered. |
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| Time limit to sue on a written contract | 6 years for an action on a written contract. For a consumer debt (personal, family or household purposes) the period is 6 years whether or not the agreement is in writing, and it starts 30 days after the later of the last charge or the last payment by the consumer. Written-contract section: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2305.06. Both periods were shortened by S.B. 13 (134th GA), effective June 16, 2021. |
| Can a payment restart the clock? | Yes. If a payment is made on a contract debt, or the debtor signs a written acknowledgment or promise to pay, the creditor may sue within the full limitations period counted from that payment, acknowledgment or promise. Source: Ohio Rev. Code 2305.08 |
Fill it in
Nothing you type leaves your browser. Replace anything still highlighted, and keep a signed copy.
[today's date]
To: [collection agency name], [collector address]
Re: Account number [account or reference number]
I am writing in response to your [letter or call] dated [date of contact]. I dispute this debt and request validation under 15 U.S.C. § 1692g.
Please send me the name of the original creditor, the amount you claim and how it was calculated, and documents showing that you own or are authorized to collect this debt.
Until you provide this verification, please stop collection activity on this account, and contact me only in writing at the address below.
[your name], [your mailing address]
Debt Validation Letter for other states · Ohio tenant rights
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.