What should I do if a creditor or debt collector sues me?
If you are sued, you should respond to the lawsuit. You can respond personally or through an attorney, but you must do so by the date specified in the court papers.
When you answer the lawsuit, the debt collector will have to produce evidence that proves to the court you owe the debt in order to get a judgment against you. If you dispute the debt or the amount owed, you should do that in the court action before the court makes a judgment.
In many states, lawyers who are suing you will provide notice of the suit to you by certified mail. You won’t be able to stop the lawsuit by refusing to accept the letter or by refusing to sign the receipt that shows you got the letter. By doing these things you’ll essentially be ignoring the lawsuit.
If you ignore a court action, it is likely that a judgment will be entered against you for the amount the creditor or debt collector claims you owe. Often the court also will award additional fees against you to cover collections costs or fees for attorneys. Judgments give debt collectors much stronger tools to collect the debt from you. Depending on your state’s laws, the creditor may be able to garnish your wages, place a lien against your property, or move to freeze all or part of the funds in your bank account. You also may lose the ability to dispute that you owe the debt.
A judgment is a court order. Only the court can change it. It is very difficult to get a judgment changed or set aside once the case is over. You have a much better chance in court if you defend the case than if you wait until a judgment is entered against you.
Consult an attorney in your state to learn more about your rights if you are sued on a debt. Some attorneys may also offer free services, or charge a reduced fee. You may wish to find an attorney who has experience in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and debt collection issues. There may also be legal aid offices or legal clinics in your area who will offer their services for free if you meet their criteria. Servicemembers should consult their local JAG office.
