Specifically for Harris & Harris collecting medical debt in Washington, DC
Critical timeline, how to write an Answer, common defenses, and what happens if you do nothing. This guide is tailored to residents of Washington dealing with Harris & Harris, one of the most-complained-about debt collectors for medical debt accounts. In District of Columbia, the statute of limitations is 3 years and wage garnishment is capped at 25% of disposable earnings.
3 years
District of Columbia SOL on Medical Debt
$2,459
Average Medical Debt
25% of disposable earnings
Garnishment Limit
Harris & Harris has a documented pattern of FDCPA violations. If any of these happen to you, document them immediately and file a CFPB complaint.
These steps apply directly to your situation as a Washington resident dealing with Harris & Harris.
If you are served with a complaint, you MUST file an Answer by the deadline — typically 20-30 days depending on your state. Missing the deadline results in an automatic default judgment against you, which allows wage garnishment, bank levies, and property liens.
The complaint states who is suing you, what debt they claim, and what they want. Note: the plaintiff's name (may be a debt buyer, not original creditor), the amount claimed, and the cause of action. Check if the SOL has expired based on the date of first delinquency.
For each numbered paragraph, respond: Admit (only what you know to be true), Deny (default to deny when uncertain), or 'Defendant lacks sufficient knowledge to admit or deny.' Deny any amount you haven't personally verified.
In your Answer, include affirmative defenses: statute of limitations expired, lack of standing (debt buyer can't prove proper assignment), wrong person, amount is incorrect, debt was already paid or settled, original contract doesn't exist.
For amounts over $5,000 or if the other side has an attorney, consult a consumer rights attorney. Many work on contingency. NACA at consumeradvocates.org has free referrals. Your state's legal aid society may help if you qualify.
These strategies are specific to medical debt — the type of debt Harris & Harris is collecting from Washington residents.
DC Debt Collection Act governs debt collection in District of Columbia. File complaints with: Office of the Attorney General.
In District of Columbia, wage garnishment is limited to 25% of disposable earnings. Income sources protected from garnishment include: Social Security, Unemployment, Workers' comp, Disability. Harris & Harris must first obtain a court judgment before any garnishment can begin.
The statute of limitations for medical debt in District of Columbia is 3 years. After this period expires, Harris & Harris cannot win a lawsuit on the debt if you raise the SOL as a defense in your Answer. Never ignore a lawsuit even on time-barred debt.
Known violations by Harris & Harris include: Threatening arrest or criminal prosecution for civil debt; Adding unauthorized collection fees; Failing to provide proper mini-Miranda warning. Document any violations immediately and file a complaint at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.
To dispute medical debt with Harris & Harris: send a written validation request via certified mail within 30 days of first contact, demand the original creditor name, full chain of assignment, and original signed agreement. Start with: request itemized bill with cpt codes.
Skip the paperwork. DebtShield generates legally precise dispute letters, cease-and-desist demands, and validation requests tailored to Washington laws and Harris & Harris's known tactics. Starting at $9.99/month.