Can You Be Sued Over a Charge-Off?
Yes — a charge-off is an accounting classification, not a legal discharge of the debt. It remains fully collectible and can still result in a lawsuit.
Who Might Sue
Either the original creditor or, more commonly, a debt buyer who purchased the charged-off account can pursue a lawsuit, provided the debt is still within your state's statute of limitations.
Statute of Limitations Relevance
Rather than re-explaining it here, see our full Statute of Limitations lookup and Can You Be Sued for Debt? guide for the general rules that apply here too.
What to Do If You Are Sued
Go directly to our Debt Lawsuits guide — it covers what to do from the moment you're served through the entire court process, including the time-sensitive steps you shouldn't delay.
This information is for general education only and is not legal advice. Whether you can be sued and the applicable statute of limitations vary by state and by debt type. Consult a licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation.