Start My Answer
loading...

Debt Collection Laws in Connecticut

Sarah Edwards | August 09, 2023

Sarah Edwards
Legal Expert
Sarah Edwards, BS

Sarah Harris is a professional researcher and writer specializing in legal content. An Emerson College alumna, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication from the prestigious Boston institution.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Hannah Locklear
Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

Summary: Some states, including Connecticut, have laws that protect consumers from unscrupulous collection agencies. All collection agencies that pursue Connecticut residents for debt must comply with the Connecticut Creditors’ Collection Practices Act. SoloSuit explains what you should know about the debt collection laws in Connecticut and how to settle your debt there.

If you know you have unpaid debt and haven’t taken action to set up a payment arrangement, there’s a good chance that it will end up with a collection agency. These companies purchase unpaid obligations from banks, medical providers, utility companies, and other organizations and try to collect them from consumers.

Collection agencies aren’t known for their exceptional reputations, and that’s why federal and state governments regulate their actions. Several laws have been passed to prevent debt collectors from taking actions that abuse or otherwise harm consumers.

While all collection agencies must abide by the national Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Connecticut has some additional laws to protect its residents.

Sued for debt in Connecticut? Use SoloSettle to settle the debts for good.

Settle with SoloSettle

Make an Offer

The Connecticut Creditors’ Collection Practices Act explained

The Connecticut Creditors’ Collection Practices Act, outlined in C.G.S.A. § 36a-645 through 36a-648, explicitly protects consumers from harassment, deceptive actions, and abuse by debt collectors. The law mirrors the FDCPA. Activities considered harassment include all of the following:

  • Using violence or threats of violence to force a person to pay a debt.
  • Threatening to harm someone’s reputation if they don’t pay a debt.
  • Using curse words or obscenities when trying to collect a debt.
  • Calling someone repeatedly throughout the day or letting the phone ring off the hook if they don’t answer.
  • Threatening to publish the consumer’s name in a list of people who owe money.

Debt collectors are also prohibited from the following deceptive actions:

  • Implying that they’re a federal or state government representative when they’re not.
  • Telling the debtor that they’re an attorney or a law firm representative if they aren’t.
  • Failing to inform the consumer of the debt’s current legal status.
  • Telling the consumer they’ll take legal action against them to collect the debt if they have no right or intention to do so.
  • Threatening to harm the person’s credit by falsely reporting a debt to a consumer credit agency.
  • Using templates that appear to be legal process when they’re not.
  • Depositing a postdated check before the actual check date or threatening to do so.
  • Refusing to identify who they are or the name of the collection agency they’re with.

If you feel a debt collector is harassing you or using deceptive tactics when trying to communicate with you, they probably are. You can report violations to the FTC and the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.

Let’s consider an example of Connecticut debt collection laws in action.

Example: Betty receives a phone call from Tulip Collections. Tulip Collections tells Betty that she has an outstanding credit card debt of $3,000 and must pay the obligation by the end of the week, or Tulip Collections will sue her. This is Betty's first communication from Tulip; she doesn’t recognize the debt. Betty tells Tulip Communications to send her a letter containing more details about the debt so that she can decide whether to dispute it. Tulip Collections tells Betty there isn’t time to validate the debt and she must pay it immediately or face dire consequences. The agent calls Betty a few choice names during the phone call, making her feel even more uncomfortable. After talking with Tulip Collections, Betty checks out the Connecticut Creditors’ Collection Practices Act and the FDCPA. She learns these actions were illegal since the agent used profane language and refused to validate the debt. She files a complaint against Tulip Collections with the FDCPA and the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.


Did you receive a collection notice from a Connecticut debt collector? Ask it to validate the debt with SoloSuit’s Debt Validation Letter.

Debt collectors face penalties if they break the law

If you file a complaint because a collection agency didn’t abide by the Connecticut Creditors’ Collection Practices Act, the court may decide to award you damages.

Under C.G.S.A. § 36a-648, a debt collector found guilty of breaking the law is liable for any actual damages sustained by the consumer and additional penalties up to a maximum of $1,000. In addition, the court may order the agency to pay your attorney’s fees and costs for filing the lawsuit.

However, you’ll need to initiate action quickly. Connecticut has a Statute of Limitations of one year for any actions that violate the Connecticut Creditors’ Collection Practices Act.

Creditors cannot pursue parents for their children’s credit card debts

Connecticut has a special law for parents of students currently in college who are under the age of 21. According to C.G.S.A. § 36a-648a, creditors cannot call or send demand letters to parents whose children have taken out credit cards or otherwise borrowed money and failed to keep up with payments.

Unless the parent has expressly agreed to be a cosigner on the student’s debt, creditors can’t pursue them for their children’s obligations.

Collection agencies must have a license to pursue consumers in Connecticut

Per C.G.S.A. § 36a-801, collection agencies that attempt to collect debts from Connecticut consumers must have a valid consumer collection agency license issued by the state.

If you receive a collection notice from a debt collector, check to see if it has included its Connecticut consumer collection agency license number. If the number is not listed, request the license number when you send your Debt Validation Letter.

Collection agencies that don’t have a valid license can’t pursue you for debt, and you should report them to the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.

Connecticut tries to protect consumers from unscrupulous debt collectors

While the Connecticut Creditors’ Collection Practices Act largely replicates the FDCPA, it also applies to traditional creditors like banks. These creditors must adhere to all standards in the law, just like collection agencies. If you feel that a collection agency or a creditor is crossing the line when they communicate with you, don’t hesitate to report them.

Are you being sued for debt in Connecticut? Settle the matter before going to court with SoloSettle.

Settle your debt in Connecticut

If you know you owe the debt, and the debt is still within the statute of limitations, another option to resolve your debt lawsuit is debt settlement.

In a debt settlement, you offer your creditor a portion of the total amount due, usually at least 60% of the debt’s value. In exchange for a lump-sum payment, the creditor agrees to drop its legal claims against you and release you from the remaining balance.

If you decide to settle your obligation, you’ll want to ensure you get the terms of your agreement in writing and pay the creditor before your court date. If you’ve never tried debt settlement before, consider working with a professional organization that will guide you through the process.

To learn more about how to settle a debt in Connecticut, check out this video:

SoloSettle, powered by SoloSuit, is a tech-based approach to debt settlement. Our software helps you send and receive settlement offers until you reach an agreement with the collector. Once an agreement is reached, we’ll help you manage the settlement documentation and transfer your payment to the creditor or debt collector, helping you keep your financial information private and secure.

Read also: How to Settle a Debt in Connecticut

What is SoloSuit?

SoloSuit makes it easy to fight debt collectors.

You can use SoloSuit to respond to a debt lawsuit, to send letters to collectors, and even to settle a debt.

SoloSuit's Answer service is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your Answer. Upon completion, we'll have an attorney review your document and we'll file it for you.

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)

How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

Guides on how to resolve debt with every debt collector

Are you being sued by a debt collector? We’re making guides on how to resolve debt with each one.

Resolve your debt with your creditor

Some creditors, banks, and lenders have an internal collections department. If they come after you for a debt, Solosuit can still help you respond and resolve the debt. Here’s a list of guides on how to resolve debt with different creditors.

Settle your medical debt

Having a health challenge is stressful, but dealing medical debt on top of it is overwhelming. Here are some resources on how to manage medical debt.

Guides on arbitration

If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.

Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

Stop calls from debt collectors

Do you keep getting calls from an unknown number, only to realize that it’s a debt collector on the other line? If you’ve been called by any of the following numbers, chances are you have collectors coming after you, and we’ll tell you how to stop them.

Federal debt collection laws can protect you

Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we’ve compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.

Get debt relief in your state

We’ve created a specialized guide on how to find debt relief in all 50 states, complete with steps to take to find relief, state-specific resources, and more.

Debt collection laws in all 50 states

Debt collection laws vary by state, so we have compiled a guide to each state’s debt collection laws to make it easier for you to stand up for your rights—no matter where you live.

Statute of limitations on debt state guides

Like all debt collection laws, the statute of limitations on debt varies by state. So, we wrote a guide on each state’s statutes. Check it out below.

Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection by State (Best Guide)

Check the status of your court case

Don’t have time to go to your local courthouse to check the status of your case? We’ve created a guide on how to check the status of your case in every state, complete with online search tools and court directories.

How to stop wage garnishment in your state

Forgot to respond to your debt lawsuit? The judge may have ordered a default judgment against you, and with a default judgment, debt collectors can garnish your wages. Here are our guides on how to stop wage garnishment in all 50 states.

Other wage garnishment resources

How to settle a debt in your state

Debt settlement is one of the most effective ways to resolve a debt and save money. We’ve created a guide on how to settle your debt in all 50 states. Find out how to settle in your state with a simple click and explore other debt settlement resources below.

How to settle with every debt collector

Not sure how to negotiate a debt settlement with a debt collector? We are creating guides to help you know how to start the settlement conversation and increase your chances of coming to an agreement with every debt collector.

Other debt settlement resources

Personal loan and debt relief reviews

We give a factual review of the following debt consolidation, debt settlement, and loan organizations and companies to help you make an informed decision before you take on a debt.

How to repair and improve your credit score

Debt has a big impact on your credit. Below is a list of guides on how to repair and improve your credit, even while managing major debt.

How to resolve student loan debt

Struggling with student debt? SoloSuit’s got you covered. Below are resources on handling student loan debt.

Civil law legal definitions

You can represent yourself in court. Save yourself the time and cost of finding an attorney, and use the following resources to understand legal definitions better and how they may apply to your case.

Get answers to these FAQs on debt collection

How-to debt guides

Learn more with these additional debt resources

It only takes 15 minutes.

And 50% of our customers' cases have been dismissed in the past.


"Finding yourself on the wrong side of the law unexpectedly is kinda scary. I started researching on YouTube and found SoloSuit's channel. The videos were so helpful, easy to understand and encouraging. When I reached out to SoloSuit they were on it. Very professional, impeccably prompt. Thanks for the service!" - Heather



Get Started

Contents