Staute Limitations on Debt- Florida

Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations on debt is the maximum time the debt collector can use the courts to collect a debt from you. Even though the statute of limitations has expired, the collector may still call you or may even file suit against you in court. To stop calls, send a cease and desist letter to the collector. If the collector files suit against you, attend the hearing prepared with evidence that the statute of limitations on the debt has indeed expired.
 
The statute of limitations on debt in Florida puts a time limit on the amount of time you can be sued for a debt.

Oral Contract: 4 years

Written Contract: 5 years

Promissory Note: 5 years

Open-Ended Accounts: 4 years
http://credit.about.com/od/statuteoflimitations/g/flsol.htm


State By State List
Each state has its own statute of limitations on debt - the amount of time the court will force you to pay a debt. The statute of limitations varies depending on the type of debt you have - credit card or loan - and is usually between three and six years, but is as high as 10 or 15 years in some states. Before you respond to a debt collection find out the debt statute of limitations for your state.

http://credit.about.com/od/statuteoflimitations/a/entirestatesol.htm


Debt Validation
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, FDCPA, gives you the right to verify debts from debt collectors. Within 35 days of being contacted by a debt collector, you can send a letter requesting the collector validate your debt. This validation needs to include some documents from the original creditor proving you owe the debt, the amount you owe is valid, and the agency is allowed to collect the debt from you. Your request for validation must be made in writing and should be sent via certified mail with return receipt requested.

Cease and Desist
You have the right to request the collector to stop contacting you. By sending a written cease and desist letter to the debt collector you can have the collector stop communicating with you about the debt altogether, regardless of the legitimacy of the debt. Such a letter should be sent via certified mail with return receipt requested. If the collector violates this request, you can take legal action.


Credit Report Dispute
If you’ve requested validation of the debt and the debt is still in the 30 day validation period or the collector has failed to respond to the request altogether, the collector cannot legally add the debt to your credit report. In either of these cases, you can have the account deleted from your credit by submitting a credit report dispute. The case for the dispute is stronger if you include a copy of your debt validation letter along with the certified and return receipt requests.

Get a Free Credit Report
There are specific get a free credit reports under FACTA.
Online, by visiting http://www.annualcreditreport.com/
By phone, by calling 877-322-8228.
By mail, by printing a request form (Adobe viewer needed) and mailing it to the address listed on the form.