Know Your Rights
Your Legal Rights FDCPA Violations
Free Tools
SOL Lookup Tool Dispute Your Credit Letter Templates Credit Score Guide
Get Help
Free Consultation File CFPB Complaint ↗ Free Credit Report ↗ Get Free Help Now
Free Consumer Education & Credit Advocacy

You Have Rights.
Collectors Know It.
Now You Will Too.

Abusive debt collectors and inaccurate credit reports cost Americans billions every year. We give you the free tools, legal knowledge, and dispute resources to fight back — and win.

CFPB Debt Collection Complaints — 2014–2024
525K+

Americans filed complaints against debt collectors with the CFPB over ten years. Harassment, false statements, and failure to validate are the top violations — and each one is worth up to $1,000 to you.

FDCPA Statutory Damages Per Violation
$1,000

Plus actual damages and attorney's fees — which the violating collector pays, not you. Many consumer attorneys take these cases free.

Americans With Credit Report Errors
1 in 3

Studies show roughly 34% of consumers have a material error on at least one credit report. Most never dispute it.

The 3 Laws That Protect You

FDCPA · FCRA · CROA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and the Credit Repair Organizations Act form a three-layer legal shield for every American consumer. Collectors count on you not knowing them.

Full breakdown →
Debt SOL Range — All 50 States
3–10

Years collectors have to sue you. After that window closes the debt is time-barred. Look yours up now.

Check your state →
Ready-to-Send Templates

Free Letter Templates

Debt validation, cease & desist, credit bureau dispute, and SOL defense — all backed by federal law and ready to customize.

Get templates →
Emergency

Being Sued by a Collector?

Do NOT ignore a court summons. You have defenses. Check your SOL, document violations, and get a consumer attorney — often at zero cost to you.

Get free help →

The Laws That Protect You

Three major federal laws give consumers powerful rights against debt collectors and credit bureaus.

FDCPA
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act · 15 U.S.C. § 1692

Governs how third-party debt collectors can contact you and what they can say. Each violation entitles you to sue in federal court.

  • No calls before 8am or after 9pm
  • No harassment, threats, or profanity
  • Written validation notice required within 5 days
  • Must stop collection if you request validation in writing
  • Cannot contact your employer
  • Cannot threaten lawsuits they cannot or will not file
FCRA
Fair Credit Reporting Act · 15 U.S.C. § 1681

Governs how credit bureaus collect, use, and share your data. You have the right to dispute any inaccurate information for free.

  • Free report from all 3 bureaus annually
  • Bureaus must investigate disputes within 30 days
  • Negative items removed after 7 years (10 for bankruptcy)
  • Limits who can access your file
  • Right to sue for willful or negligent violations
  • Identity theft victims get extra protections
CROA
Credit Repair Organizations Act · 15 U.S.C. § 1679

Protects you from predatory credit repair scams. If a company violates CROA, your contract with them is void.

  • No upfront fees before services are performed
  • 3-day right to cancel any contract
  • All promises must be in writing
  • Cannot advise you to lie or make false statements
  • Cannot remove accurate negative information
  • Must disclose your rights before you sign

Is Your Debt Time-Barred?

Every state sets a deadline for collectors to sue. After it expires the debt is legally time-barred — use our tool to check.

Debt SOL Lookup — All 50 States + D.C.

Select your state to instantly see how long collectors have to sue you for credit card / open-ended debt.

⚠️ Important: The clock typically starts from your last payment date. Making even a small payment or acknowledging the debt in writing can restart the clock in many states. Do not pay or promise to pay without consulting a consumer attorney first.

Where to Start

Not sure what to do first? Follow this sequence.

01

Pull Your Credit

Get free reports from all 3 bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review every account and note inaccuracies.

02

Check the SOL

Look up your state's statute of limitations. If the debt is time-barred, you have a complete defense — but you must appear in court.

03

Demand Validation

Send a written validation letter within 30 days of first contact. Collection must stop until they prove the debt is valid and yours.

04

Dispute & Fight Back

Dispute inaccurate items in writing with each bureau. Document every violation. A consumer attorney is often free to you.

Free — No Obligation

Not Sure Where to Start?

Tell us what you're dealing with. We'll help you understand your rights, identify violations, and point you toward the right next steps — at no cost.

Get Free Help Now