Connecticut Law About Debt Collection

Connecticut Law About Debt Collection
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Research Guides

Connecticut Public Acts and Current Orders

Connecticut Department of Banking:

Connecticut Network for Legal Aid:

Debt Collection Know Your Rights
(A Guide to What Bill Collectors Can and Cannot Do)
Are You Thinking About Bankruptcy?
Child Support in Connecticut - Questions and Answers For The Parent Who PAYS Child Support
Guide to Wage Attachments
Small Claims Court

Research guides and self-help pages prepared by Connecticut Judicial Branch law librarians:

Connecticut Law about Bankruptcy

Connecticut Law about Consumer Law

Connecticut Law about Foreclosure

Connecticut Law about Repossession

Connecticut Law about Small Claims

Enforcing Money Judgments (Research Guide - PDF)

Connecticut Judicial Branch:

Criminal Jury Instructions

10.2-18 Extortionate Extension of Credit -- 53-390
10.2-19 Advancing Money for Extortionate Extension of Credit -- 53-391
10.2-20 Participation or Conspiracy in Use of Extortionate Means -- 53-392

Information from Connecticut 2-1-1:

How to Deter Abusive Debt Collection Practices

OLR Research Reports - Connecticut Office of Legislative Research:

Connecticut Homestead Laws - 2022-R-0150
Summarize Connecticut's homestead exemption law, including a list of properties exempt from a court judgment for money damages, the statutorily assigned monetary thresholds and when these laws were enacted. Also summarize homestead and motor vehicle exemption laws in other New England states.This report updates OLR Report 2018-R-0241.
Debt Collection From Divorced Parents - 2008-R-0369
You asked if a creditor can seek a joint debt from a person when that debt was assigned to an ex-spouse pursuant to a divorce decree.
Collection of Past Due Rent And Payment of Attorneys' Fees - 2008-R-0290
You asked (1) why landlords cannot receive a monetary judgment in housing court, presumably for back rent or property damages and (2) whether a court can award attorneys' fees to tenants represented in housing cases by Legal Services attorneys.
Harassing Telephone Calls from Bill Collectors - 2005-R-0745
You wanted to know an individual's options if he is receiving harassing phone calls from debt collectors.
Hospital Debt Collection Law - 2004-R-0103
International Debt Collection - 2002-R-0302
Lawsuits for Injuries Sustained in Foreign Countries - 2001-R-0169
You asked whether people injured in a foreign country by a defective product made in Connecticut can: (1) sue the manufacturer in a Connecticut court, (2) bring a criminal action against it in Connecticut, and (3) enforce a judgment they secure against it in a foreign country in a Connecticut court?
Statute of Limitation on Collection of Medical Bills - 1996-R-1404

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

Federal Trade Commission (FTC):

FTC Facts for Consumer Credit & Loans In Debt
(A collection of consumer rights publications, including information on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Fair Credit Billing Act.)
Money Matters: Dealing with Debt
(Information on debt collection, debt relief services, credit repair, advance fee loans, and vehicle repossession)

Library Materials

Collection Actions: Defending Consumers and Their Assets, 2nd ed. (National Consumer Law Center)
Library of Connecticut Collection Law Forms, 2nd ed. (Connecticut Law Tribune)

You need to visit your local law library to use these materials. Search the online catalog for availability and locations.

Useful Websites

Public Act 24-77 - An Act Concerning Coerced Debt. (Effective Jan. 1, 2025)
2024 Acts Affecting Banking
2023 Acts Affecting Banking
2022 Acts Affecting Banking
2021 Acts Affecting Banking

Connecticut General Statutes

Selected Statutes:

Chapter 669 - Regulated Activities

Creditors' Collection Practices Act (CCPA)

Sec. 36a-645. Definitions
Sec. 36a-646. Prohibited Acts
Sec. 36a-647. Enforcement Powers of Commissioner (Department of Banking)

Sec. 36a-648. Abusive, harassing, fraudulent, deceptive or misleading debt collection practices. Liability. Exemptions. Limitations on actions.

Sec. 36a-648a. Credit card debt collection actions against parents or legal guardians of students.

Debt Adjusters

Sec. 36a-655. Definitions.

Truth in Lending Act

Sec. 36a-675. Truth-in-Lending Act

Interest and Finance Charge Rebates

Sec. 36a-690. Calculation of interest or finance charge rebates. Prohibited methods. Transactions affected.

Consumer Credit Reports

Sec. 36a-695. Definitions.

Sec 36a-696. Disclosure to consumer of information re Credit Report

Sec 36a-699b. Dispute by consumer re completeness or accuracy of information

Sec. 36a-701. Security freeze on credit report: Definitions

Sec. 36a-701a. Consumer security freezes on credit report

Home Mortgage Disclosure

Sec. 36a-735. Short title: Home Mortgage Disclosure Act.

Connecticut Abusive Home Loan Lending Practices Act

Sec. 36a-746. Connecticut Abusive Home Loan Lending Practices Act

Retail Installment Sales Financing Act

36a-770 through 36a-788

Consumer Collection Agencies

Sec. 36a-800. Consumer Collection Agency. Definitions
Sec. 36a-808. Unfair or Deceptive Practices. Enforcement Action

Collection Actions by Purchaser of Debt

36a-813. Evidence in cause of action for purchased debt owed by consumer debtor.
36a-814. Initiation of cause of action for purchased debt prohibited when statute of limitations has expired. Limitations period not extended by payment or affirmation.

Department of Banking Regulations

Selected Regulations:

Connecticut Department of Administrative Services

Collection Services
- Laws and Regulations
- FAQs

Federal Laws

Selected Federal Laws:

Consumer Credit Protection
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
  - Federal Trade Commission links to FDCPA materials (includes staff commentary and opinion letters)

U.S. Supreme Court Opinion

Jerman v. Carlisle, McNellie, Rini, Kramer & Ulrich LPA, 130 S.Ct. 1605 (2010). "The bona fide error defense in § 1692k(c) does not apply to a violation resulting from a debt collector's mistaken interpretation of the legal requirements of the FDCPA."

Connecticut Law by Subject