Arizona Statute of Limitations on Debt
Arizona distinguishes between written and oral debts when it comes to how long collectors have to sue. Most consumer debts that are documented in writing carry a six-year SOL, while oral agreements have a shorter three-year window.
| Debt Type | Statute of Limitations | |---|---| | Credit card debt (open account) | 6 years | | Medical debt | 6 years | | Auto loans (written contract) | 6 years | | Personal loans (written contract) | 6 years | | Oral contracts | 3 years | | Promissory notes | 6 years |
The clock starts from the date of last payment or when the account first became delinquent. An expired SOL means a collector cannot obtain a court judgment against you — but they can still attempt contact and the debt may still appear on your credit report.
Watch out: Arizona courts have held that partial payments can restart the SOL. If a collector is pressuring you to make a "good faith" payment on a very old debt, understand that this may renew their ability to sue.
Arizona-Specific Consumer Protections
Arizona's Consumer Fraud Act (ARS § 44-1521 et seq.) prohibits deceptive and unfair practices. It covers debt collection conduct and gives the Attorney General authority to investigate and prosecute violators.
Arizona also has a state-level Collection Agency Act (ARS § 32-1001 et seq.) that requires debt collectors operating in Arizona to be licensed with the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions. You can verify a collector's license status before engaging with them.
Additionally, Arizona participates in the Multi-State Settlement Agreement frameworks that have resulted in credit bureau reform consent orders — meaning Arizona consumers have benefited from settlements affecting how the bureaus handle medical debt disputes and identity theft claims.
How to File a Complaint in Arizona
Arizona Attorney General's Office — Consumer Information and Complaints
- Website: azag.gov/complaints/consumer
- Phone: 1-800-352-8431
- Online complaint portal available
Arizona Department of Financial Institutions (for licensed collector complaints)
- Website: difi.az.gov
- Phone: (602) 771-2800
Federal Rights That Apply Regardless of State
All Arizona residents have these federal protections:
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Dispute inaccurate or outdated items directly with the bureaus.
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA): Prohibits abusive, deceptive, and unfair collection methods.
- Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA): Governs billing error disputes on credit cards.
File with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.
Your First Action Step
Check whether any debts appearing on your Arizona credit report are past their reporting window or past the six-year SOL. Pull reports at annualcreditreport.com. If a written contract debt (credit card, medical bill, auto loan) is over six years old from default and is still being actively collected, send a written cease-contact letter via certified mail and consult an Arizona consumer attorney about your options.