Start My Answer
loading...

How to Settle Debt with Zwicker & Associates

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 by Zwicker & Associates? Here’s how to respond to the lawsuit: file a written Answer into the case, deny as many claims as possible, and assert your affirmative defenses. If you know the debt is yours, you can settle out of court with the help of SoloSettle.

Zwicker & Associates PC is not your usual debt collector. It is a law firm that specializes in debt collection, which means it represents creditors and debt collectors in civil lawsuits. Dealing with Zwicker can be overwhelming, but you the firm is willing to work with you to settle your debt and resolve the lawsuit.

Aside from the standard debt collection methods (phone calls and letters), Zwicker and Associates has a reputation for filing lawsuits in a hurry. So if you are dealing with the company, ‌prepare for the possibility of ending up in court.

Zwicker and Associates have two main challenges for you to deal with: collection calls/letters and lawsuits. Below, we explore how to overcome both of these challenges.

But first, let’s take a closer look at Zwicker and Associates as a company.

Sued by Zwicker & Associates? Use SoloSettle to settle your debts for good.

Settle with SoloSettle

Make an Offer

Who does Zwicker & Associates collect for?

Zwicker & Associates collects for American Express, Capital One, Chase, Discover Bank, and many other creditors, banks, and financial institutions. More specifically, the law firm represents these companies when they decide to take legal action to collect a debt.

Settle your debt with Zwicker & Associates

If you’ve received notice that Zwicker & Associates is suing you, debt settlement is still an option. In fact, you can reach out to settle a debt with Zwicker & Associates at any stage of the lawsuit process. Here’s how.

Step 1: File an Answer to the lawsuit

Your first step is to file an Answer in response to the Complaint filed by Zwicker & Associates. Respond to each of the claims against you. While you plan to negotiate a settlement, an Answer prevents the court from giving Zwicker & Associates a default judgment against you.

Step 2: Evaluate your finances and make an offer to settle

Take stock of your current finances to determine what you can afford to offer Zwicker and Associates in exchange for a settlement agreement. Use the following formula: Amount available to settle = (monthly income – monthly costs) + savings). Once you've calculated how much you can afford to settle, contact Zwicker & Associates to make an offer.

It’s best to begin with a lower offer to give yourself room to negotiate. Be realistic and fair with your offer. In many cases, 60% of the debt can be a good place to start. For instance, if you're being sued for $3,000, you can offer $1,800 to settle the obligation.

Step 3: Be prepared to negotiate, and get the final agreement in writing

Don't expect Zwicker & Associates to accept your first offer. While its lawyers are typically happy to work with consumers to settle debt, they will tyically counter the first offer. Negotiating may take some time, but be persistent and honest about your current debt situation. Once you reach an agreement, be sure that Zwicker & Associates sends you the terms and conditions of the settlement in a document to be filed with the court. This is known as a debt settlement agreement.

To learn more about these three steps and how to settle debt with Zwicker & Associates, check out our video on to settle your debt for good:

SoloSettle, powered by SoloSuit, is a tech-based approach to debt settlement. Our software helps you send and receive settlement offers until you reach an agreement with the collector. Once an agreement is reached, we’ll help you manage the settlement documentation and transfer your payment to the creditor or debt collector, helping you keep your financial information private and secure.

Read Zwicker and Associates reviews and complaints online

Zwicker and Associates has an A+ BBB rating (the highest rating possible). Established in 1991, Zwicker & Associates is a reputable debt collection law firm, but that doesn't mean they always play by the rules. According to BBB, a substantial number of consumers have submitted negative reviews. Here are some ‌reviews from real consumers.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has reported nearly 600 Zwicker and Associates complaints on its online consumer complaint database. That’s a lot! Most of these complaints claim that the law firm is hard to work with and harrasses consumers. Let’s take a look at a real complaint against Zwicker & Associates:

“Zwicker & Associates refused to accept weekly payments online. They informed me that I will have to call each week to pay my {$20.00}. They have sent me to small claims court. I was hoping to pay this before the court date. When I called they said I can't pay any other way except phone in, which is very difficult. It is as though they want me to fail. I find this firm deceptive and they do have an online payment center. They are refusing this. I would like this firm to be reprimanded. They are not working with the consumer.”

As you can see, it isn't the easiest task to work with Zwicker & Associates, so let us explain how you can resolve debt with the law firm.

How to deal with Zwicker and Associates' collection calls and letters

Zwicker & Associates frequently purchases debts from large credit card companies like American Express, Discover, and Chase for much less than the original amount owed. As such, when Zwicker & Associates comes after you for a debt, they are looking to profit, but if you pay off the debt amount in full, consider yourself ripped off. You should never offer a full payment to Zwicker because the firm will still profit with a much lower settlement.

To stop collection calls or win a lawsuit from Zwicker & Associates, follow these steps:

  • Send a Debt Validation Letter to officially request debt validation.
  • Understand your consumers rights and stand up for them.
  • File an Answer into the Zwicker & Associates debt lawsuit.
  • Contact Zwicker attorneys to negotiate a debt settlement outside of court.

Now, let’s take a closer look at all these points and more.

Ask Zwicker and Associates to validate and verify the debt

Just because a debt collector calls you about debt doesn't mean you automatically have to pay the debt. Sometimes it's better not to pay debt collectors.

Whether or not you pay the debt, you can get rid of the irritating calls. When debt collectors contact you, your go-to defense weapon is the Debt Validation Letter. You should send the letter within thirty days of the debt collector contacting you.

The Debt Validation Letter demands that the collector verify ‌the amount is accurate and the debt belongs to you with documented proof. Once they receive the letter, the collection company is required to report the debt as disputed until they can prove otherwise. Be sure to use certified mail so you can prove that Zwicker received your letter.

Many collection agencies stop collection efforts when they receive the letter. They may contact you to inform you of the action they plan to take, but they can't contact you to collect the debt without validating it. The company also must prove that they are licensed to collect in your state. You can draft your own Debt Validation Letter with SoloSuit's help and stop the calls.

Once validated, check for errors. If you spot any, dispute the debt immediately.

This video explains how to make a Debt Validation Letter in 2 easy steps:

Has Zwicker violated any of your rights as a consumer?

Zwicker calls itself a law firm and not a debt collection agency. Don't let that title fool you. They collect past-due debts and therefore must adhere to the FDCPA guidelines of 2021.

Several debt collection companies still struggle to keep up with the new FDCPA guidelines. Under the new law, debt collectors may not:

  • Call you at night or early morning (9:00 pm to 8:00 am)
  • Discuss details of your debt with family and friends
  • Send you postcards
  • Lie to you
  • Harass and threaten you with legal action they can't take
  • Shame you
  • Overcharge you

If Zwicker & Associates violates any of these guidelines, you may be entitled to countersue them for up to $1000 per violation plus court costs. You could report them to the following government agencies:

Is Zwicker & Associates a scam?

No, Zwicer & Associates is not a scam. It is a real debt collection law firm.

Since Zwicker & Associates is a well-established debt collection firm, it is a prime target for scammers impersonating a debt collection agency. If a real Zwicker & Associates employee contacts you about a debt, they will not ask you for your personal information because they should already have it.

On the other hand, if someone calls you claiming to be from Zwicker & Associates and demands that you provide them with your phone number, address, social security number, etc., do not give them any information.

What happens if Zwicker and Associates sues you?

Zwicker & Associates hand out lawsuits like candy on Halloween, so you may find yourself with a court Summons sooner than you expected. But you can still resolve debt with Zwicker before going to court.

There are several reasons your account may speed up to a lawsuit. You may be out of employment or Zwicker sent collection letters to the wrong address. Depending on your situation, these options may work for you.

Respond to the Summons and Complaint

Never turn a blind eye to a court Summons and Complaint. If you do, the court may issue a default judgment against you. Depending on your state of residence, the consequences of a judgment may be dire. They may include:

  • Wage garnishment
  • Lien on non-exempt property
  • Freezing of your bank account

A timely and well-prepared Answer can stop Zwicker & Associates in its tracks, which is a win for you.

The best part about filing an answer is you don't need an attorney, and the process only takes 15 minutes. Log in to SoloSuit, answer a few self-guided questions, and your document will be ready in minutes.

Settle out of court

First, Zwicker bought your debt for a few pennies on the dollar, meaning you can negotiate to pay a percentage of what you owe to settle the debt. Second, many companies will settle for 40-60% of the total debt. If you get a 40% settlement, you can save yourself thousands of dollars and the hassle and stress of multiple court hearings.

You can also use the Motion to Compel Arbitration if your loan or credit card agreement has an arbitration clause. This simple letter may force the case out of court–usually, you should file a Motion for Arbitration with your Answer.

Check the state's statute of limitations

No debt collector can sue you for a debt that's beyond your state's statute of limitations. These limitations were put in place by individual states to protect consumers from being sued for extremely old debts. Debt collectors are supposed to collect the debt when it is fresh in your mind, and accurate records are still available. In most cases, a debt that has been past due for seven years is past the statute of limitations, and therefore, expired.

File for bankruptcy

Filing for bankruptcy may be the last resort if you really can't pay the debt. A Chapter 7 or a Chapter 13 bankruptcy will dismiss the debt lawsuit case.

Zwicker and Associates should not ruin your life. Take control of the situation by asking that they validate the debt. Promptly Answer any lawsuit with SoloSuit in a few simple steps and make an offer to settle the debt before your court date.

We have answers.
Join our community of over 40,000 people.

You can ask your questions on the SoloSuit forum and the community will help you out. Whether you need help now or are just looking for support, we're here for you.

Ask a Question.

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit: A Student Solution To Give Utah Debtors A Fighting Chance

How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

Guides on how to resolve debt with every debt collector

Are you being sued by a debt collector? We’re making guides on how to resolve debt with each one.

Resolve your debt with your creditor

Some creditors, banks, and lenders have an internal collections department. If they come after you for a debt, Solosuit can still help you respond and resolve the debt. Here’s a list of guides on how to resolve debt with different creditors.

Settle your medical debt

Having a health challenge is stressful, but dealing medical debt on top of it is overwhelming. Here are some resources on how to manage medical debt.

Guides on arbitration

If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.

Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

Stop calls from debt collectors

Do you keep getting calls from an unknown number, only to realize that it’s a debt collector on the other line? If you’ve been called by any of the following numbers, chances are you have collectors coming after you, and we’ll tell you how to stop them.

Federal debt collection laws can protect you

Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we’ve compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.

Get debt relief in your state

We’ve created a specialized guide on how to find debt relief in all 50 states, complete with steps to take to find relief, state-specific resources, and more.

Debt collection laws in all 50 states

Debt collection laws vary by state, so we have compiled a guide to each state’s debt collection laws to make it easier for you to stand up for your rights—no matter where you live.

Statute of limitations on debt state guides

Like all debt collection laws, the statute of limitations on debt varies by state. So, we wrote a guide on each state’s statutes. Check it out below.

Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection by State (Best Guide)

Check the status of your court case

Don’t have time to go to your local courthouse to check the status of your case? We’ve created a guide on how to check the status of your case in every state, complete with online search tools and court directories.

How to stop wage garnishment in your state

Forgot to respond to your debt lawsuit? The judge may have ordered a default judgment against you, and with a default judgment, debt collectors can garnish your wages. Here are our guides on how to stop wage garnishment in all 50 states.

Other wage garnishment resources

How to settle a debt in your state

Debt settlement is one of the most effective ways to resolve a debt and save money. We’ve created a guide on how to settle your debt in all 50 states. Find out how to settle in your state with a simple click and explore other debt settlement resources below.

How to settle with every debt collector

Not sure how to negotiate a debt settlement with a debt collector? We are creating guides to help you know how to start the settlement conversation and increase your chances of coming to an agreement with every debt collector.

Other debt settlement resources

Personal loan and debt relief reviews

We give a factual review of the following debt consolidation, debt settlement, and loan organizations and companies to help you make an informed decision before you take on a debt.

How to repair and improve your credit score

Debt has a big impact on your credit. Below is a list of guides on how to repair and improve your credit, even while managing major debt.

How to resolve student loan debt

Struggling with student debt? SoloSuit’s got you covered. Below are resources on handling student loan debt.

Civil law legal definitions

You can represent yourself in court. Save yourself the time and cost of finding an attorney, and use the following resources to understand legal definitions better and how they may apply to your case.

Get answers to these FAQs on debt collection

How-to debt guides

Learn more with these additional debt resources


Contents