Unpaid credit card debt remains legally yours forever, but after a certain period of time called the statute of limitations, creditors can no longer sue you, get a judgment against you, garnish your wages, or take legal action.

The statute of limitations ranges from three to twenty years depending on the state, and it can be reset if you make a partial payment.

If you are sued for a debt after the statute of limitations has passed, you can use it as a defense, and it’s illegal for debt collectors to sue you if they know the statute of limitations has expired. But speak to a licensed attorney.

Debt collectors can call you after 7 years but they must follow state and federal laws. The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits debt collectors from calling you repeatedly or with intent to harass, oppress, or abuse you.

Federal laws also limit when debt collectors can call you, and require that they stop contacting you when you tell them to. You can notify the debt collector in writing that you don’t want to receive any more calls, and they must comply.

In most cases, debt collectors cannot legally contact you after the statute of limitations on the debt has expired, which is typically 7 years. However, it’s important to be aware that there are some exceptions to this rule and the laws can vary by state.

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