How to respond when a debt collector contacts you in Maryland

What Maryland law says

Federal law requires a debt collector to provide written notice with the amount, creditor name, and a statement that the consumer has thirty days to dispute the debt, and that the collector will verify the debt on written dispute, under 15 U.S.C. § 1692g. Federal law also limits how collectors apply payments and bars unfair collection methods, under 15 U.S.C. § 1692h and 15 U.S.C. § 1692f. Maryland law makes specific prohibitions on abusive, harassing, or false collection practices in Md. Code Ann., Commercial Law § 14-202. For debt buyers who file suit, Maryland requires the plaintiff to introduce authenticated proof of the debt and documentation of ownership and chain of title, under Md. Code Ann., Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5-1203. Maryland also addresses the effect of post-statute-of-limitations payments, under Md. Code Ann., Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5-1202. Case law clarifies how courts analyze proof and collector conduct, for example in Bartlett v. Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC and Chavis v. Blibaum & Assoc. Moore v. Peak Mgmt..

What to do

1. A common first step is to keep a record of all calls, letters, dates, and the collector’s name.
2. A common option is to request written verification of the debt within the 30-day period described in 15 U.S.C. § 1692g.
3. A common step is to send a written cease-communication letter if you want the collector to stop calling, noting federal and state restrictions on harassment.
4. A common approach is to check whether the collector is a debt buyer and, if litigation starts, expect Maryland’s proof and chain-of-title rules in Md. Code Ann., Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5-1203 to apply.
5. A common option is to review whether the statute of limitations may bar collection and consider that post-limitation payments generally do not revive the limit under Md. Code Ann., Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5-1202.

Grounded in current Maryland law

• statuteMd. Code Ann., Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5-1203
• statuteMd. Code Ann., Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5-1202
• statuteMd. Code Ann., Commercial Law § 14-202
• statute15 U.S.C. § 1692g
• statute15 U.S.C. § 1692h
• statute15 U.S.C. § 1692f
• caseAndrews & Lawrence v. Mills
• caseHimelfarb v. American Express Co.
• caseChavis v. Blibaum & Assoc. Moore v. Peak Mgmt.
• caseBartlett v. Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC

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