Maine Statute of Limitations on Debt
Maine uses a six-year statute of limitations for most consumer debt, applied consistently across written and oral contracts. This gives collectors a longer window than some states but also gives you a clear, predictable cutoff.
| 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 | 6 years | | Promissory notes | 6 years |
The SOL clock starts from the date of default or last payment. Once six years have passed, a creditor filing suit in Maine is pursuing time-barred debt. You must raise the SOL as an affirmative defense in your court response — Maine courts do not apply it automatically.
Maine-Specific Consumer Protections
Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act (5 M.R.S. § 205-A et seq.) Maine's UTPA prohibits unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts in commerce. It covers debt collectors and gives the Attorney General authority to bring enforcement actions. Consumers can also bring private lawsuits under the Act.
Maine Regulation of Debt Collectors (32 M.R.S. § 11001 et seq.) Maine has its own debt collection regulations that mirror and supplement the federal FDCPA. These state rules apply to debt collectors operating in Maine and impose standards for communication, prohibited practices, and validation requirements.
Maine Consumer Credit Code Maine has an extensive consumer credit code governing lending, debt collection, and credit practices. It provides specific rights around credit disclosures and limits certain collection remedies.
Wage Garnishment Maine provides slightly more protective wage garnishment rules: wages up to 40 times the federal minimum wage per week are completely exempt. This is modestly more protective than the federal minimum, particularly for lower-wage earners.
How to File a Complaint in Maine
Maine Attorney General's Office — Consumer Protection Division
- Website: maine.gov/ag/consumer
- Phone: (207) 626-8849
- Complaint forms available online and by mail
Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection
- Website: maine.gov/pfr/consumercredit
- Phone: (207) 624-8527
- Maine's dedicated consumer credit agency — handles complaints about debt collection and credit reporting
Federal Rights That Apply Regardless of State
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Free annual reports; dispute inaccurate items within 30 days.
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA): Federal floor for collector conduct.
- Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA): Billing error rights on revolving credit.
File at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.
Your First Action Step
Maine's Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection is a dedicated state agency specifically for these issues — use it. Pull your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com, identify any inaccurate collection accounts, and file disputes in writing by certified mail with each bureau reporting the error. If a collector is unresponsive or retaliatory, file with the Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection directly.