Mississippi Statute of Limitations on Debt
Mississippi applies a three-year statute of limitations consistently across consumer debt categories. The uniformity makes it easy to determine whether a debt is time-barred.
| Debt Type | Statute of Limitations | |---|---| | Credit card debt (open account) | 3 years | | Medical debt | 3 years | | Auto loans (written contract) | 3 years | | Personal loans (written contract) | 3 years | | Oral contracts | 3 years | | Promissory notes | 3 years |
The three-year clock starts from the date of default or last payment. After that period, any lawsuit on the debt is time-barred in Mississippi. The debt can still be reported on your credit file for seven years from the original delinquency date, but collectors lose their ability to get a court judgment.
Note: Making a partial payment or acknowledging a debt in writing may restart the SOL in Mississippi. Handle old accounts carefully before taking any action.
Mississippi-Specific Consumer Protections
Mississippi Consumer Protection Act (MCPA, Miss. Code Ann. § 75-24-1 et seq.) Mississippi's MCPA prohibits unfair or deceptive trade practices and false advertising. The Attorney General has authority to investigate and prosecute violations. While consumers have some ability to bring private actions, enforcement is primarily through the AG's office.
Mississippi does not have a standalone state-level FDCPA equivalent, so most debt collection protections are governed by federal law. The MCPA's general deceptive practices prohibitions do apply to collectors.
Mississippi Wage Garnishment Mississippi follows federal garnishment limits. For consumer debts, garnishment is limited to 25% of disposable earnings or the amount exceeding 30 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is less.
Homestead and Property Exemptions Mississippi provides a homestead exemption of up to $75,000 in equity for the primary residence. Personal property exemptions are also available, giving some post-judgment protection to consumers.
How to File a Complaint in Mississippi
Mississippi Attorney General's Office — Consumer Protection Division
- Website: ago.state.ms.us/divisions/consumer-protection
- Phone: 1-800-281-4418
- Online complaint form available
Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance
- Website: dbcf.ms.gov
- Phone: (601) 321-6901
- For complaints about regulated financial entities
Federal Rights That Apply Regardless of State
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Dispute inaccurate items; bureaus have 30 days to investigate.
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA): Third-party collector conduct standards.
- Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA): Billing error protections.
File at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.
Your First Action Step
Mississippi's three-year SOL is short. If you have a credit card or medical debt that's more than three years past its last activity date, it is time-barred for litigation in this state. Pull your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com, verify the original delinquency date on every collection account, and send written disputes to the bureaus for any inaccurate information by certified mail.