Debt collectors
A collector sued, or won’t stop calling.
A summons comes with a deadline, usually a few weeks, and missing it can let a collector win without proving the debt. Collectors also have rules about when to call, what to say and who they can tell. We check both: the clock and the rules.
Do this today
Don’t ignore the summons
Write down the court date and the deadline to answer
Don’t sign a payment plan or pay on an old debt before you talk to a lawyer
Keep every letter and voicemail
What’s at stake
Paycheck
If a collector wins a judgment, it can sometimes take part of your pay. The law limits how much, and some income can’t be touched.
Bank account
Money from certain benefits is protected, even in your account. We help you show where yours comes from.
Old debts
A very old debt may be past the time limit for a lawsuit. In some places, paying even a little can restart that clock, so ask us first.
Calls and letters
Collectors must follow rules on calls, letters and who they can tell about your debt. We keep a log and demand in writing that it stop.
Questions about a collector
I got a summons. What do I do first?
Find the deadline to respond and call us the same day. An answer filed on time keeps the case open, and the collector then has to prove it.
Can they call my job or my family?
There are limits. Collectors generally can’t discuss your debt with most other people, and they must stop calling you at work if you tell them it isn’t allowed. Note who called and when.
Should I just pay to make it go away?
Not before you know what the debt is. A collector may be asking for the wrong amount, or for a debt that’s too old to sue over. Paying first can give up that leverage.
Got a summons? Send it today.
The deadline is the first thing we read. We quote the fee for your answer in writing.
A flat fee is quoted in writing before any work starts.