---
kind: "section"
citation: "12 C.F.R. § 1006.26"
title: "12"
number: "1006.26"
heading: "Collection of time-barred debts."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/12/1006.26"
---

# §1006.26. Collection of time-barred debts.

- (a) **Definitions.** For purposes of this section:
  - (1) Statute of limitations means the period prescribed by applicable law for bringing a legal action against the consumer to collect a debt.
  - (2) Time-barred debt means a debt for which the applicable statute of limitations has expired.
- (b) **Legal actions and threats of legal actions prohibited.** A debt collector must not bring or threaten to bring a legal action against a consumer to collect a time-barred debt. This [paragraph (b)](#b) does not apply to proofs of claim filed in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding.

## Notes

### Amendments

[86 FR 5854, Jan. 19, 2021]

### Authority

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 5512, 5514(b), 5532; 15 U.S.C. 1692 l (d), 1692o, 7004.

### Source

Source: 85 FR 76887, Nov. 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[86 FR 5854, Jan. 19, 2021]