Washington Collection Agency Laws

Financial debt can be a burden on many consumers, especially in an economic downturn. However, consumers do have rights under law concerning the collection of debt from creditors. In the state of Washington, there are explicit guidelines that must be adhered to by collection agencies when dealing with the state's residents.

Contact by Collection Agencies

Collection agents cannot threaten nor use offensive language when contacting consumers.

Under Washington state law, collection agencies can contact consumers to recover debt on behalf of vendors and creditors. Collection agents must give the name of their agency, the name of the original creditor and provide correspondence indicating the total debt due. Collection agents cannot call consumers after 9 PM nor before 8 AM. Consumers have the right to request collection agencies to stop calling, and they must comply.

Collection of Personal Information

Consumers can write a letter requesting collection agents refrain from calling and sending correspondence.

In accordance with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), collection agents can contact employers and other individuals to obtain work and home address information. However, agents cannot reveal to other parties the nature of the call for any reason. If a consumer has legal representation, then collection agents are limited by law to only contacting the consumer's attorney.

Additional Collection Agency Restrictions

Consumers should keep notes of all phone calls, conversations and agreements with collection agencies.

In accordance with RCW 19.16, collection agents cannot publish consumer debts owed in any manner. In addition, collection agents cannot threaten to jail nor garnish consumers for debt. Collection agents cannot take a consumer's possessions without an official court judgment.