Wyoming debt collection law has two facts that surprise most consumers. First, Wyoming does not have its own state Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Your primary protections come from the federal FDCPA. Second, Wyoming’s statute of limitations is 8 years for written contracts and 10 years for oral agreements. This is the reverse of most states, and longer than most states for either category.
Wyoming also has the Wyoming Collection Agency Board, which governs collector licensing and enforcement under W.S. 33-11-101 to 33-11-116. Every collection agency operating in Wyoming must be licensed. An unlicensed collector is violating state law before the first call.
If a debt collector is violating your rights in Wyoming, call +1-844-638-1122 for a free case review. The Wood Firm PLLC works on contingency. The collector pays our fees if we win.
Wyoming Debt Collection Rules at a Glance
- State FDCPA: Wyoming does not have its own state debt collection act. Primary protections come from the federal FDCPA.
- Statute of limitations: 8 years for written contracts (credit cards, loans). 10 years for oral agreements. Both are longer than most states.
- Calling hours: 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM local time (federal standard).
- Licensing: All collection agencies must be licensed by the Wyoming Collection Agency Board under W.S. 33-11-101 to 33-11-116.
- Wage garnishment: Federal standard: lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or amount exceeding 30 times the federal minimum wage per week.
- Lawsuit response time: 20 days from service of a lawsuit summons.
Free Case Review: +1-844-638-1122
Wyoming’s Unique Legal Landscape: No State FDCPA
Unlike many states that have passed their own debt collection statutes, Wyoming relies on the federal FDCPA as the primary consumer protection framework. This matters for two reasons.
First, the FDCPA applies only to third-party debt collectors, not to original creditors collecting their own debts. If your bank is calling about your own account, the FDCPA may not directly apply, though other consumer protection laws may. Third-party collectors include collection agencies, debt buyers, and attorneys whose principal business is debt collection.
Second, Wyoming does have its own Collection Agency Board that licenses and regulates collector conduct under W.S. 33-11-101 through 33-11-116. The Board can investigate complaints, hold hearings, and sanction licensed collectors who violate the regulations. For detailed regulatory requirements, see the Wyoming Collection Agency Regulations (031-4 Wyo. Code R. §4-6).
Wyoming Statute of Limitations on Debt
Wyoming’s statute of limitations is one of the most unusual in the country.
Written contracts (including credit cards and personal loans): 8 years from the date of last payment or last acknowledgment.
Oral agreements: 10 years. Most states are the opposite. Wyoming gives longer protection on oral debts than written ones, which is rare.
After these periods expire, the debt is “time-barred.” A collector can still call and send letters, but they cannot sue you or obtain a court judgment. Threatening to sue on a time-barred debt is itself a federal violation.
Three actions can restart the clock: making a payment, agreeing to a payment plan, or acknowledging the debt in writing. Do not do any of these on an old debt without first verifying the original date and your legal position.
What Debt Collectors Cannot Do in Wyoming
Call outside permitted hours. Collectors cannot contact you before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM local time.
Use harassing or abusive tactics. Repeated calls intended to annoy, obscene or profane language, threats of violence, and publishing your name on a “bad debt” list are all prohibited.
Lie about who they are. Collectors cannot claim to be attorneys, government officials, or credit bureau representatives. Sending documents designed to look like court papers when they are not is a deceptive practice violation. For a Wyoming Courts summary of these protections, see the Wyoming Courts FDCPA Handout.
Threaten arrest. Consumer debt is civil, not criminal. Any threat of arrest for non-payment of a consumer debt violates the FDCPA.
Contact your employer. Once you inform a collector your employer prohibits personal calls at work, they must stop. See workplace contact rules.
Discuss your debt with third parties. Collectors cannot tell your family, neighbors, or coworkers about your debt. Contact with third parties is permitted only to obtain your location information.
Continue contact after a cease-and-desist. A written cease-and-desist via certified mail requires the collector to stop all contact. Review what to say to a collection agency.
Is a Debt Collector Violating Your Rights in Wyoming?
Whether You Owe the Debt or Not, We Can Help You
- Up to $1,000 per FDCPA violation
- $500 to $1,500 per illegal robocall under the TCPA
- Attorney fees paid by the collector if we win
We work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win.
FREE Case Review: +1-844-638-1122
Debt Validation in Wyoming
Within 5 days of first contacting you, a collector must send a written validation notice with the debt amount, the creditor’s name, and your right to dispute. You have 30 days to dispute in writing. After receiving your dispute, all collection activity must stop until they provide adequate verification.
Adequate validation means documentation connecting you to the debt, details about the original creditor, and an itemized balance. “The account is valid” is not validation. See our debt validation guide.
Wyoming Wage Garnishment Rules
A collector cannot garnish your wages without first filing a lawsuit, winning a judgment, and obtaining a court order. Wyoming follows the federal garnishment standard: the lesser of 25% of your disposable earnings or the amount by which your weekly wages exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage.
The following income is exempt from garnishment in Wyoming: Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, veterans’ benefits, disability payments, and workers’ compensation. Wyoming also provides property exemptions including household goods, clothing, tools of trade, and certain vehicles. You must actively claim these exemptions after a judgment; they are not applied automatically.
How The Wood Firm PLLC Helps Wyoming Consumers
When a collector violates the FDCPA in Wyoming, calls outside legal hours, threatens arrest or illegal garnishment, or contacts your family or workplace after being told to stop, those are actionable claims under the FDCPA, FCRA, and TCPA.
The Wood Firm PLLC has handled consumer protection cases exclusively since 2011. Never represented a creditor. You pay nothing upfront. Contact stops within 48 hours. Learn about how we work for you and why clients choose us. Read the attorney profile.
Real Cases We Have Handled for Wyoming-Type Violations
Client identities are protected.
- Time-barred debt lawsuit threat. A collector threatened to sue a client for a debt that had exceeded the applicable statute of limitations. The Wood Firm PLLC documented the false threat and recovered statutory damages.
- Workplace calls. A collector continued calling a client’s employer after being informed the employer prohibited such calls. The Wood Firm PLLC pursued FDCPA claims and obtained damages plus cessation.
- Fake court documents. A collector sent documents designed to look like official court papers. The Wood Firm PLLC documented the deceptive practice and obtained statutory damages.
Wyoming Debt Collector Violating Your Rights?
Whether You Owe the Debt or Not, We Can Help You
Free Consultation – No Upfront Costs – Collector Pays Our Fees
Frequently Asked Questions About Wyoming Debt Collection
Does Wyoming have its own debt collection law?
No. Wyoming does not have its own state Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Primary consumer protections come from the federal FDCPA. Wyoming does regulate collection agencies through the Collection Agency Board under W.S. 33-11-101 to 33-11-116.
What is Wyoming’s statute of limitations on debt?
8 years for written contracts (credit cards, loans). 10 years for oral agreements. Both are unusually long. After expiration, collectors cannot successfully sue you.
Do collectors need a license in Wyoming?
Yes. The Wyoming Collection Agency Board requires all agencies to be licensed. An unlicensed collector operating in Wyoming violates state law.
What are the calling hours for debt collectors in Wyoming?
8:00 AM to 9:00 PM local time, following the federal FDCPA standard.
Can a collector threaten to have me arrested in Wyoming?
No. Consumer debt is civil, not criminal. Threats of arrest violate federal law.
How do I stop collection calls in Wyoming?
Send a written cease-and-desist via certified mail. After receipt, the collector can only contact you to confirm cessation or notify you of specific legal action.
How much can be garnished from my wages in Wyoming?
The lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage. Social Security, veterans’ benefits, and other specified income is exempt. You must actively claim exemptions after a judgment.
Can I sue a debt collector in Wyoming?
Yes. Up to $1,000 in statutory damages per FDCPA lawsuit plus attorney fees. For illegal robocalls, $500 to $1,500 per call under the TCPA. You have one year from the violation to file.
Protect Your Rights Under Wyoming Law Today
Wyoming’s long statute of limitations and mandatory collector licensing give consumers meaningful tools against abusive collection. The Wood Firm PLLC has handled consumer protection cases exclusively since 2011, works on contingency, and makes the collector pay.
Call +1-844-638-1122 for a free case review. Browse our list of collection agencies, review our practice areas, or file with the CFPB.
