Collections Law in Massachusetts
This page covers collections law as it applies in Massachusetts — the state and federal laws that govern it, filing deadlines, where to get help, and notable in-state decisions. For what collections protects generally, see the national overview.
Compiled from primary legal sourcesNot legal adviceHow we source this
Quick answer
In Massachusetts, both state and federal law limit how a creditor or debt collector may contact you and what they can say or do. Massachusetts rules are broader than federal law and apply to original creditors — not just collection agencies. Deadlines can be short: you have only 30 days after receiving a collector's written notice to formally dispute the debt, so it is important to read any collection notice carefully and act quickly.
Laws that govern collections in Massachusetts
Massachusetts state law
- Prohibition on Unfair Debt Collection PracticesMass. Gen. Laws ch. 93, § 49
Prohibits original creditors and their agents from collecting personal, family, or household debts through unfair, deceptive, or unreasonable means, including harassment, false statements, and unauthorized third-party disclosures.
- Massachusetts Consumer Protection ActMass. Gen. Laws ch. 93A
Prohibits unfair or deceptive acts in trade or commerce; allows private lawsuits for double or triple damages when a violation is willful or knowing, and requires a 30-day pre-suit written demand letter.
- Massachusetts Debt Collection Regulations940 Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) 7.00
Attorney General regulations that define specific unfair and deceptive debt collection practices and apply to original creditors, collection agencies, and attorneys collecting debts in Massachusetts.
- Wage Attachment ExemptionMass. Gen. Laws ch. 246, § 28
Exempts from garnishment the greater of 85 percent of a debtor's gross weekly wages or 50 times the applicable hourly minimum wage, ensuring debtors retain enough income for basic necessities.
Federal law
- Title 15 — Commerce and Trade
The U.S. Code title that houses these federal statutes.
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Federal law that limits the actions of third-party debt collectors who are attempting to collect debts on behalf of another person or entity. Codified at 15 U.S.C. §§ 1692 et seq.
- Fair Credit Reporting Act
Federal law that regulates the collection, dissemination, and use of consumer credit information. Codified at 15 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.
Massachusetts-specific deadlines for collections cases
Enter the date your problem happened to see which deadlines may already have passed. Not every deadline applies to every situation — this is a general estimate, not legal advice. Deadlines can be shorter, paused, or extended.
- Deadline for a creditor to file a collections lawsuit (written contract or credit card debt): 6 years
Applies to most written contracts, including credit cards and personal loans. After this deadline passes, the debt may be legally time-barred and raising the expired deadline as a defense may defeat a lawsuit.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2
- Deadline to dispute a debt in writing after receiving a collector's validation notice: 30 days
Under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, disputing in writing within 30 days requires the collector to stop collecting and send verification. Missing this window does not mean you owe the debt, but it affects your rights under the Act.
15 U.S.C. § 1692g
- Deadline to sue a debt collector for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: 1 year
Consumers have one year from a collector's violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to file a private lawsuit; damages can include actual losses, up to $1,000 in statutory damages, and attorney's fees.
15 U.S.C. § 1692k(d)
- Deadline to sue for unfair or deceptive collection practices under the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act: 4 years
A consumer harmed by unfair or deceptive collection practices has four years to bring a claim under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93A. A written demand letter must be sent to the collector at least 30 days before filing suit; a willful violation can result in double or triple damages.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 5A
- Duration a court money judgment remains enforceable in Massachusetts: 20 years
A money judgment is presumed paid and satisfied after 20 years; during that period a creditor may use the judgment to garnish wages or place liens on real property.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 20
These deadlines are general estimates. They can be shorter than they appear, and can be paused (“tolled”) or extended in specific situations. This is not legal advice. If any deadline is near or has passed, talk to a lawyer right away.
Where to go & how to get help
Government agencies and non-profit legal-help organizations for collections in Massachusetts.
- Massachusetts Legal Helplegal aid
Free legal information and self-help guides for Massachusetts residents facing debt collection, including guidance on responding to lawsuits and understanding consumer rights.
Connects the public with attorneys who handle debt-related matters; initial half-hour consultations with referred attorneys are available for no more than $25.
Official U.S. government starting point for finding free or low-cost legal help and legal-aid programs near you.
Locate the LSC-funded legal-aid organization that serves your county for civil (non-criminal) legal problems.
Find your state or local bar association lawyer-referral service and free legal-answer programs.
Find your state attorney general to file consumer-protection, civil-rights, or other complaints.
How to take action in Massachusetts
- 1
Read any collection notice carefully
Third-party debt collectors must send you a written validation notice within five days of first contacting you, stating the amount owed, the creditor's name, and your right to dispute the debt.
- 2
Dispute the debt in writing if you do not recognize it
If you believe the debt is wrong, not yours, or already paid, send a written dispute to the collector within 30 days of receiving the validation notice; the collector must stop collecting and provide verification before contacting you again.
- 3
Know what collectors cannot do under Massachusetts and federal law
Collectors may not call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., use threats or abusive language, contact your employer without permission, or make false statements; Massachusetts rules also apply to original creditors, not just third-party agencies.
- 4
Respond if you are sued — never ignore a court summons
If a creditor files a lawsuit against you, you must file a written answer within the time stated on the summons; ignoring it will likely result in a default judgment that can be used to garnish wages or place liens on property.
- 5
Understand what income and property Massachusetts law protects
A significant portion of wages is shielded from garnishment: the greater of 85 percent of your gross weekly wages or 50 times the applicable hourly minimum wage per week is generally exempt.
- 6
File a complaint if a collector violates the law
You can report violations to the Massachusetts Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division or the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and you may also have the right to sue the collector directly in court.
A general roadmap, not legal advice — the right steps depend on your situation and deadlines.
Common questions about collections in Massachusetts
How long does a creditor have to sue me for a debt in Massachusetts?
For most written contracts — including credit card agreements and personal loans — a creditor generally has six years from the date the debt became due to file a lawsuit against you. This deadline is set by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 260, Section 2. If a creditor sues after the six years have passed, you may be able to raise that expired deadline as a defense.
Can a debt collector contact my employer or family members?
A collector may contact your employer only to locate you, and may not do so if you have told them your employer prohibits such calls. Collectors generally cannot discuss your debt with anyone other than you, your spouse, or your attorney. Massachusetts regulations strictly limit how often and when a collector may contact you and restrict unauthorized third-party disclosures.
What happens if a creditor gets a court judgment against me in Massachusetts?
Once a creditor has a court judgment, they may be able to garnish wages or place a lien on real property you own. Massachusetts law protects the greater of 85 percent of your gross weekly wages or 50 times the applicable hourly minimum wage from garnishment. A judgment remains enforceable for up to 20 years.
What is a debt validation notice and what should I do when I receive one?
Under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a third-party collector must send you a written validation notice within five days of first contact, stating the amount and your right to dispute. If you want to dispute the debt or request the original creditor's name, send a written notice to the collector within 30 days; the collector must then stop collection and send verification.
What can I do if a debt collector threatens or harasses me?
Both the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93, Section 49 prohibit abusive and threatening collection practices. You can file a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division or the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. You may also sue the collector in court — within one year of the violation under federal law, or within four years under the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act.
Does Massachusetts law protect me from my original creditor, or only from collection agencies?
Massachusetts provides broader protections than federal law. The state's debt collection regulations under 940 Code of Massachusetts Regulations 7.00 and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93, Section 49 apply to original creditors — the company you originally borrowed from — as well as third-party collectors and attorneys. This means even your bank or credit card issuer must follow state rules when trying to collect.
What is 'zombie debt' and can a collector still pursue me for it in Massachusetts?
Zombie debt is a very old debt — often past the statute of limitations — that a collector tries to revive. In Massachusetts, once the six-year deadline for a written contract has passed, a creditor generally cannot win a lawsuit to collect the debt. However, the debt may still exist and collectors may contact you about it. Massachusetts rules require collectors to disclose when a debt is too old to be legally enforced in court.
Not legal advice. State-specific statutes, deadlines and procedures are being sourced and will appear here.