Sued by a debt buyer in Oregon

Debt buyers must prove they own the debt. Here is what the state requires.

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026.

Short answer

A debt buyer is a company that bought an old debt and now sues to collect it. A debt buyer (or a collector suing for one) must state in its first pleading: the original creditor's name as used with you; the name, address and phone of the current owner and whether it is a debt buyer; the last 4 digits of the original account number; an itemized statement of your last payment, the charge-off balance, interest, fees and charges added by the original creditor and by later owners, and attorney fees sought; and the date it bought the debt.

Time limit to sue (written contract)
6 years
Time to answer
30 days

Special rules when a debt buyer sues in Oregon

  • A debt buyer (or a collector suing for one) must state in its first pleading: the original creditor's name as used with you; the name, address and phone of the current owner and whether it is a debt buyer; the last 4 digits of the original account number; an itemized statement of your last payment, the charge-off balance, interest, fees and charges added by the original creditor and by later owners, and attorney fees sought; and the date it bought the debt.
  • A court may not enter judgment for a debt buyer that does not comply, and if it does, you can ask for relief under ORCP 71.
  • The debt buyer may get attorney fees only if it wins and the contract or a law allows them, and it must send you the account documents within 30 days after you ask.

Defenses you can raise in Oregon

The limit for contract suits is 6 years. Suing or threatening to sue on a debt after the limit has run is an unlawful collection practice. A judgment for a debt buyer that did not meet the pleading rules of ORS 646A.670 can be challenged by motion under ORCP 71.

Law: ORS 12.080(1); ORS 646.639(2)(r)

Old debts in Oregon

A written-contract debt in Oregon must be sued on within 6 years. Raise an older debt as a defense in your answer.

A debt collector must not sue you, or threaten to sue you, on a debt that is too old to sue on.

Law: 12 CFR 1006.26(b)

More on old debts at Debt Collector Map

In nearby states

What to do in Oregon

  1. Look at the name

    If the name on the summons is not a company you know, it may be a debt buyer.

  2. Ask for the paperwork

    Use a documents request letter to see what they can prove.

  3. Answer on time

    In Oregon: Circuit court civil action: file a motion or answer within 30 days from the date you were served.

  4. List your defenses

    Missing ownership papers and old debts are common defenses.

Federal rules in every state

  • Where a collector must sue. A debt collector that sues you over a consumer debt must file where you signed the contract or where you live when the suit starts. Law: 15 U.S.C. 1692i(a)(2)
  • If the collector broke the law. You can sue a debt collector that broke the federal debt collection law within 1 year, for your losses, up to $1,000 more and your lawyer's fees. Law: 15 U.S.C. 1692k

Free help in Oregon

Questions about debt buyer suits in Oregon

What must a debt buyer prove in Oregon?

A debt buyer (or a collector suing for one) must state in its first pleading: the original creditor's name as used with you; the name, address and phone of the current owner and whether it is a debt buyer; the last 4 digits of the original account number; an itemized statement of your last payment, the charge-off balance, interest, fees and charges added by the original creditor and by later owners, and attorney fees sought; and the date it bought the debt. A court may not enter judgment for a debt buyer that does not comply, and if it does, you can ask for relief under ORCP 71. The debt buyer may get attorney fees only if it wins and the contract or a law allows them, and it must send you the account documents within 30 days after you ask.

What is the deadline to answer a debt suit in Oregon?

Circuit court civil action: file a motion or answer within 30 days from the date you were served. Small claims: return the Defendant's Response within 30 calendar days after you received service (you can deny the claim, pay it, counterclaim, or ask for a jury trial if the claim is over $750).

Can a debt buyer sue on an old debt in Oregon?

A written-contract debt in Oregon must be sued on within 6 years. Raise an older debt as a defense in your answer.

Related Oregon pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources