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When A Credit Card Company Sues You
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How To Respond To A Court Summons For A Credit Card
It’s stressful when you have trouble paying your credit card bills. This debt can feel like it’s hanging over your head, and it can cause more financial problems the longer it lasts. If you’ve had an unpaid balance for a while, you may be wondering – can your credit card company sue you? This guide will answer that and tell you what to do about expensive credit card debt.
It’s often easier to pay off credit card debt if you refinance it. With a debt consolidation loan, you can secure a lower interest rate and a fixed monthly payment amount. Check out the best consolidation loans to see if this is an option for you.
Yes, your credit card company can sue you if you don’t pay your credit card bill. Although this is usually a last resort due to time and money, it is more likely that the bill will go unpaid for a longer period of time.
Since credit card debt is unsecured debt, the creditor needs a judgment to collect from you. If you receive this judgment, you may be subject to garnishment of your bank account or wages and liens on property you own.
Credit Card Debt Relief That Wasn’t
Many credit card companies sell long overdue accounts to debt collectors trying to collect the debt. Debt collectors can also sue you if they bought your debt.
If you have a past due credit card, you may be sued. However, this does not happen immediately. The steps taken by the credit card company depend on how long it has been since your last payment.
Up to 90 days: Your card issuer will notify you and likely charge you a late fee for each monthly payment you miss. When your account is 60 days late, your card issuer can start charging you a higher interest rate, known as a penalty APR. At this stage, your credit score may drop, but you can still catch up on your payments and keep your credit card account.
90 days to 180 days: The card issuer usually charges your account, which means they close your credit card. It either transfers the debt to its own internal debt collection service or sells it to a third-party debt buyer. The issuer may sue you at this point, although it is unlikely to happen again.
Sue Your Debt Collectors Using Ca Harassment Laws
Last 180 days: At this stage, there is a much higher risk of being sued for your credit card debt. This is true regardless of whether the debt is in the hands of a credit card company or a debt collection agency – either can file a lawsuit against you.
Even if your credit card bill is past due, you can usually avoid a lawsuit. If your card company is trying to collect debt, the best strategy is to communicate while you are working to pay off your credit card debt.
Call your credit card company at the number on the back of the card. Explain that you are in a difficult financial situation and would like to know what type of payment assistance the card issuer can offer. Here are some common debt relief options that may be available:
There’s a good chance you and your card issuer can work out a solution, such as a payment plan for an amount you can afford. Remember: credit card companies don’t want to sue cardholders. Staying in touch and showing that you are willing to pay even small payments can ensure that you don’t end up in court.
What Credit Card Delinquency Is—and How To Avoid It
Depending on the resolution you reach, you may be able to keep your credit cards open with that card company as well. If you settle the debt for less, the card issuer will almost certainly close your card. But if you pay off the debt in full, you could keep your cards.
If you are being sued for an unpaid debt, you will receive an appeal. You must respond to this complaint unless you can first reach a settlement with the plaintiff and drop the debt collection lawsuit.
The first thing you should do after receiving a complaint is to check that it is valid. Here’s what you need to check:
It is highly recommended that you consult with an attorney to assist you. Although this can be expensive, there are legal aid services across the country that provide low-cost or free legal services to those in need. A lawyer can verify whether your debt is valid and negotiate a settlement or defend you in court.
If A Debt Is Sold To Another Company, Do I Have To Pay
No matter how bad the situation seems, try not to panic. You don’t face jail time for unpaid credit card debt. The most important thing is that you have ways to remedy the situation, whether it’s settling, fighting the appeal in court, or filing for bankruptcy.
Lyle Daly is a personal finance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel rewards programs and banking. He writes for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, and his work has appeared in USA Today and Yahoo! Finance. He was born in California, but currently lives as a digital nomad with his home base in Colombia.
Eric McWhinnie has been writing and editing digital content since 2010. He specializes in personal finance and investing. He also has a degree in finance.
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Florida Law If You Can’t Pay Credit Card Bills
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Ascent is a Motley Fool service that rates and reviews essential products for your everyday money needs. Falling behind on debt payments is scary, yes. And if your credit card debt is seriously delinquent, it’s wise to consider what you can and should do to protect yourself from aggressive collection efforts, including lawsuits.
Here’s the thing. Going to court costs money, so it’s not the first step your credit card company will take, even if you’re having trouble paying. Even if your financial situation is bad, you have some opportunities for advancement, and they don’t all end with you in court.
Let’s get the bad news out of the way. Yes, credit card companies can sue you for default. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), credit card companies sue their customers in about 12% of cases. On average, credit card companies sue to collect balances over $2,700.
How To Negotiate Debt With Credit Card Companies
Now for better news. Lawsuits are a last resort for most credit card companies. If you are afraid, you can breathe now. Credit card issuers are more often than not willing to help their customers who are having trouble making payments.
Your credit card company will make several attempts to reach you via calls, emails, letters, texts, or social media before filing a lawsuit against you. These are opportunities to ask for help and discuss solutions. If you continue to ignore your credit card company, collection efforts will intensify. And they can ultimately result in a charge and a lawsuit.
Credit card companies typically try to collect past due amounts for 120 to 180 days before “charging” your balance. Debt cancellation does not make the debt disappear. It just means writing off the balance for their tax and accounting purposes.
Before charging your account, your card issuer may try to help you (and cut their losses) by re-aging your account, forbearance, debt management or debt resolution.
How To Respond When A Debt Collector Contacts You In Three Easy Steps
Some credit card companies will sue before charging the balance. This is not common, but it is possible, especially if you owe a large amount and have assets or a steady income.
When the card is charged, the credit card company can sue you. Or he can sell the debt or transfer it to a collection agency (and leave it
Sue you). You’re more likely to be sued if you don’t settle, especially if your balance is large and you’re not judgment-proof. Judgment proof means you don’t have enough assets and income for a creditor to seize.
Debt collectors can sue you for credit card debt. And they probably will if you ignore them and believe they can collect the judgment.
What Happens If I Just Never Pay My Credit Card Bill?’
Understanding the difference between
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