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Best Tips for Negotiating with Suttell and Hammer

George Simons | August 07, 2024

George Simons
Co-Founder of SoloSuit
George Simons, JD/MBA

George Simons is the co-founder and CEO of SoloSuit. He has helped Americans protect over $1 billion from predatory debt lawsuits. George graduated from BYU Law school in 2020 with a JD-MBA. In his spare time, George likes to cook, because he likes to eat.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Hannah Locklear
Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

Summary: Sued for a debt by Suttell and Hammer Services? This guide is for you. Use SoloSuit to respond in 15 minutes.

If you were sued by Suttell and Hammer for an alleged delinquent debt, it is important not to give up hope. You also need to make sure you do not simply accept the allegations in Suttell and Hammer's Complaint as fact. You have legal rights and protections when subjected to a collections lawsuit and there are in fact affirmative defenses that can be raised to prevail against the debt collector in court.

Who is Suttell and Hammer and why are they suing me?

If you are served with a lawsuit by a representative from Suttell and Hammer, you might be asking yourself, “Who is Suttell and Hammer?” Well, they are a law firm focused primarily on representing large financial institutions. For example, Suttell and Hammer has handled collection actions on behalf of large banks like Discover and Bank of America.

Suttell and Hammer will get involved when a borrower is unable to pay back a credit card, an auto loan, a mortgage, etc. At that point, the bank will retain the services of Suttell and Hammer who will in turn file a collections lawsuit against the borrower.

Be proactive and respond to the Suttell and Hammer collections lawsuit

If you were sued by Suttell and Hammer, you may be feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of going to court and litigating against a big law firm. Do not fret. If you are proactive and take some simple steps to respond to the collections lawsuit, there is a good chance you could wind up negotiating an out-of-court settlement or actually prevailing in court. SoloSuit is here to help guide you through the process.

If you get served with a Summons and Complaint, it is critically important to not only respond to the lawsuit, but to file your response with your court in a timely manner.

Responding to the Complaint sets you apart from the majority of consumers who are sued by a debt collection company. This is because one of the most common mistakes made by consumers sued by a debt collection company is failing to actually respond to the Summons and Complaint. Whether you actually owe the debt or believe you are being sued by mistake, filing a response (i.e. an “Answer”) allows you to highlight any deficiencies in the Complaint. It also buys you time to contact Suttell and Hammer and negotiate debt settlement.

SoloSuit makes it simple to respond the right way.

Use these expert tips to negotiate with Suttell and Hammer

Debt law firms like Suttell & Hammer will work with you. If you've experience unexpected financial struggles and find yourself unable to pay your debts, work with Suttell and Hammer to negotiate the debt outside of court and come to an agreement.

We asked a real attorney to provide these valuable tips on how to effectively negotiate with Suttell and Hammer. The attorney shared insights based on extensive experience dealing with debt collectors, highlighting practical strategies that consumers can use to reach favorable settlements. This guidance helps demystify the negotiation process and empowers individuals to handle their debt issues with confidence.

When negotiating with Suttell and Hammer, or any debt collection law firm, be strategic and well-prepared. Here are some expert tips from an attorney to help you navigate the process:

  1. Understand Your Debt: Before entering negotiations, thoroughly understand the details of your debt. Confirm the total amount owed, the interest rates, and any potential fees. Knowing the exact figures will give you a stronger position when negotiating.
  2. Start Low with Your Offer: Debt collectors often purchase debts for a fraction of their original amount. This means they may be willing to settle for less than the full amount. Begin negotiations with a low offer, around 30-50% of the debt value. This leaves room for counteroffers and increases the likelihood of reaching a mutually acceptable agreement.
  3. Communicate in Writing: Always communicate your settlement offers in writing. This creates a clear record of your negotiations and ensures that there is no miscommunication about the terms of the settlement. Use certified mail to send your offers so you have proof of delivery.
  4. Use a Third-Party Service: Consider using a third-party service like SoloSettle, which can handle the negotiation process for you. This can protect your personal information and reduce the stress of dealing with aggressive debt collectors directly​.
  5. Be Prepared for Counteroffers: Debt collectors will often counter your initial offer. Be prepared to negotiate back and forth several times before reaching an agreement. Each round of negotiation brings you closer to a final settlement that works for both parties.
  6. Get Everything in Writing: Once a settlement is reached, ensure that you get the debt settlement agreement in writing before making any payments. This document should clearly state the terms of the settlement, including the amount to be paid and the deadline for payment.
  7. Protect Your Financial Information: Be cautious about sharing your personal financial information with debt collectors. Services like SoloSettle can act as an intermediary, ensuring your information remains secure while facilitating the settlement process.

By following these tips, you can effectively negotiate with Suttell and Hammer and work towards a favorable debt settlement. Remember, the goal is to reach an agreement that alleviates your financial burden while simultaneously satisfying the debt. For more information on negotiating with Suttell and Hammer, check out our conversation with an attorney in the following video:

Failure to respond to the Complaint could lead to a default judgment against you

One of the key reasons why filing an Answer to the Complaint is so important is because failing to do so could enable Suttell and Hammer to obtain a default judgment against you. If the Court enters a default judgement against you, the situation will only get worse. Why? Because a default judgment means that Suttell and Hammer will be empowered to take the following actions:

  • Garnish your wages;
  • Take money from your bank account;
  • Seize your personal property; and
  • Collect attorney's fees and court costs.

Check the statute of limitations on your debt

Many debt collectors assume that consumers will not actually respond to their lawsuit. As a result, many debt collectors operate a volume practice where they file hundreds, or even thousands, of debt collection lawsuits. Given the significant number of lawsuits that are filed, there are many instances when the debt collection company neglects to take the time to confirm whether they can legally sue you for the debt. Bear in mind that if the applicable statute of limitations expired, the debt collector is barred from suing you on the debt. In most states, a debt collector only has a finite amount of time to sue you for an alleged delinquent debt.

If it turns out that the statute of limitations expired, you can raise it as an affirmative defense that could enable you to file a motion to dismiss the lawsuit entirely.

Read Suttell and Hammer reviews online

Suttell and Hammer has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2019 and has a current A+ score (the highest score possible with the BBB). However, it earned only one out of five stars on its customer reviews. You can also read consumer comments about Suttell and Hammer that have been submitted to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

SoloSuit helps you make the right defense the right way.

Takeaways for what to do when sued by Suttell and Hammer

Here is what you need to do if you receive a debt collection notice or debt collection lawsuit from Suttell and Hammer:

  • If you do not recognize or have no idea why you are being pursued for the outstanding debt, be sure to file a formal dispute with the three major credit bureaus (i.e. Transunion, Equifax, and Experian).
  • Take note of any phone calls made before 8:00 A.M. or after 9:00 P.M, any phone calls made to your place of work, and any use of vulgar or inappropriate language.
  • Make sure to file your Answer to the Summons and Complaint in a timely manner.
  • In your Answer, make sure to raise affirmative defenses like the statute of limitations and demanding that the debt collection company provide proof of the specific amount owed.
  • Consider filing a counterclaim for any violations committed by Suttell and Hammer of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
  • Contact Suttell and Hammer to negotiate debt settlement. Be honest about your situation and expect to receive several counter offers before you reach an agreement to settle the debt.

Best of Luck!

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