George Simons | December 01, 2022
Summary: Want to stop a debt collector who's gotten too aggressive? Here's a template for a cease and desist letter that will make debt collectors go away.
Whenever you fall behind on repaying debt, chances are, you may start receiving endless calls, emails, and letters from a debt collector. A debt collector is a third party who bought your account from the original creditor for the sole purpose of trying to recover the money you owe.
Debt collectors are embarrassing and very stressful to deal with. Some, such as Asset recovery solutions, are known for inappropriate and unethical tactics to recover debts.
The US government regulates the lengths to which a debt collector can go to claim the debt you supposedly owe. The said regulations are found under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
Despite the lengths that the government takes to protect you, some collectors such as Asset Recovery solutions have a reputation of using unethical and aggressive methods to collect their debts. Many US citizens have filed numerous complaints with the Better Business Bureau and/or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, alleging that the debt collector mentioned above used unlawful debt collection methods. In some instances, the complaining parties claim that they do not owe the money being claimed.
Don't let debt collectors push you around. File a response with SoloSuit.
To protect yourself from unscrupulous debt collectors, it is imperative to be aware of your rights and know what you should or should not say. Whatever you say may be used as evidence in court when the debt collector sues you.
According to the laws put forth by the FDCPA, a debt collector cannot;
Knowing the above rights gives you a fighting chance in any lawsuit that a debt collector may file against you. However tempting it may be, please do not ignore the lawsuit as it may be considered an admission of guilt, and a judge may pass a judgment without your presence.
The moment you send a cease and desist letter to a debt collector notifying them to stop contacting you about your alleged debt, the only action they may take is to sue you in a civil court. In Virginia, such a lawsuit is known as a warrant of debt, while in other states, it is considered a type of civil action.
Both terms mean you owe money in debt, and the court is liable to pass judgment forcing you to pay. Depending on the debt's severity and your financial situation, the judgment could include freezing of your accounts or wage garnishment.
A warrant of debt is served either through mail or in-person (via sheriff or a process server). Either way, the document contains the following information;
Make the right affirmative defenses with SoloSuit.
When served with the warrant of debt court summon, here are a few measures you can take to protect yourself;
The whole point of going to court is for the judge to decide if the debt is valid or not. If it is deemed valid, you will be required to pay up unless you file for bankruptcy.
If you decide to dispute the debt, the judge will order a "bill of particulars" and a "grounds of defense."
Bill of particulars is a document submitted by the debt collector; it contains the specific amount owed, the interest acquired, along with proof/reasoning that you owe the debt claimed by the debt collector or creditor.
On the other hand, grounds of defense are the documents you file to contend or accept the contents of the bill of particulars. Also, the documents should contain your defense and the claims of the statute of limitations (if applicable). A statute of limitations is the time-limit a person or entity has to file a lawsuit against someone else.
On the summon day, the debt collector or creditor will collect any useful evidence ascertaining that the debt is valid. Their proof documents will include;
You, on the other hand, should be armed with either of the following defenses;
Use SoloSuit to make the right defense and win your case.
The lawsuit can only have one winner between you and the debt collector. If you win, the case will be dismissed, and you may be liable for reimbursement for your time and legal fees.
If the debt collector wins, then judgment will be placed against you. In most states, judgment is valid for ten years, while in Virginia, it can go up to 40 years. By the time the period mentioned above is over, the debt collector needs to have collected their dues.
Depending on the debt collector, he/she may choose to collect their debts by bank account freezes, wage garnishment, or property liens. Property liens is a legal claim on assets such as houses, cars, or boats that grants the holder the ability to reclaim the property if their debts are not paid.
Wage garnishment is where part of your disposable income is paid directly to the debt collector until your debt is paid. In Virginia, the debt collector can take up to 25% of your disposable income. In the case of a wage garnishment, your social security is protected from deductions.
SoloSuit makes it easy to respond to a debt collection lawsuit.
How it works: SoloSuit is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your answer. Upon completion, you can either print the completed forms and mail in the hard copies to the courts or you can pay SoloSuit to file it for you and to have an attorney review the document.
"First time getting sued by a debt collector and I was searching all over YouTube and ran across SoloSuit, so I decided to buy their services with their attorney reviewed documentation which cost extra but it was well worth it! SoloSuit sent the documentation to the parties and to the court which saved me time from having to go to court and in a few weeks the case got dismissed!" – James
>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit: A Student Solution To Give Utah Debtors A Fighting Chance
Here's a list of guides for other states.
|
Being sued by a different debt collector? We're making guides on how to beat each one.
Is your credit card company suing you? Learn how you can beat each one.
Going to Court for Credit Card Debt — Key Tips
How to Negotiate Credit Card Debts
How to Settle a Credit Card Debt Lawsuit — Ultimate Guide
Need more info on statutes of limitations? Read our 50-state guide.
Why do debt collectors block their phone numbers?
How long do debt collectors take to respond to debt validation letters?
What are the biggest debt collector companies in the US?
Is Zombie Debt Still a Problem in 2019?
If a car is repossessed, do I still owe the debt?
Is Portfolio Recovery Associates Legit?
Is There a Judgment Against Me Without my Knowledge?
Should I File Bankruptcy Before or After a Judgment?
What is a default judgment?— What do I do?
Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?
What Happens If Someone Sues You and You Have No Money?
What Happens If You Never Answer Debt Collectors?
What Happens When a Debt Is Sold to a Collection Agency
What is a Stipulated Judgment?
What is the Deadline for a Defendant's Answer to Avoid a Default Judgment?
Can a Judgement Creditor Take my Car?
Can I Settle a Debt After Being Served?
Can You Appeal a Default Judgement?
Do I Need a Debt Collection Defense Attorney?
Do I Need a Payday Loans Lawyer?
Do student loans go away after 7 years? — Student Loan Debt Guide
Am I Responsible for My Spouse's Medical Debt?
Should I Marry Someone With Debt?
Can a Debt Collector Leave a Voicemail?
How Does Debt Assignment Work?
What Happens If a Defendant Does Not Pay a Judgment?
How Does Debt Assignment Work?
Can You Serve Someone with a Collections Lawsuit at Their Work?
How Many Times Can a Judgment be Renewed in Oklahoma?
Does Debt Consolidation Have Risks?
What Happens If You Avoid Getting Served Court Papers?
Does Student Debt Die With You?
Can Debt Collectors Call You at Work in Texas?
How Much Do You Have to Be in Debt to File for Chapter 7?
What Is the Statute of Limitations on Debt in Washington?
How Long Does a Judgment Last?
Can Private Disability Payments Be Garnished?
Can Debt Collectors Call From Local Numbers?
Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Work in Florida?
The Truth: Should You Never Pay a Debt Collection Agency?
Should You Communicate with a Debt Collector in Writing or by Telephone?
What Happens After a Motion for Default Is Filed?
Can a Process Server Leave a Summons Taped to My Door?
Need help managing your finances? Check out these resources.
How to Make a Debt Validation Letter - The Ultimate Guide
How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney
How to Stop Wage Garnishment — Everything You Need to Know
How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)
Defending Yourself in Court Against a Debt Collector
Tips on you can to file an FDCPA lawsuit against a debt collection agency
Advice on how to answer a summons for debt collection.
Effective strategies for how to get back on track after a debt lawsuit
New Hampshire Statute of Limitations on Debt
Sample Cease and Desist Letter Against Debt Collectors
The Ultimate Guide to Responding to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Utah
West Virginia Statute of Limitations on Debt
What debt collectors cannot do — FDCPA explained
Defending Yourself in Court Against Debt Collector
Arkansas Statute of Limitations on Debt
You're Drowning in Debt — Here's How to Swim
Help! I'm Being Sued by My Debt Collector
How to Make a Motion to Vacate Judgment
How to Answer Summons for Debt Collection in Vermont
North Dakota Statute of Limitations on Debt
ClearPoint Debt Management Review
Indiana Statute of Limitations on Debt
Oregon Eviction Laws - What They Say
CuraDebt Debt Settlement Review
How to Write a Re-Aging Debt Letter
How to Appear in Court by Phone
How to Use the Doctrine of Unclean Hands
Debt Consolidation in Eugene, Oregon
Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next
How to Make a Debt Settlement Agreement
Received a 3-Day Eviction Notice? Here's What to Do
How to Answer a Lawsuit for Debt Collection
Tips for Leaving the Country With Unpaid Credit Card Debt
Kansas Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection
How to File in Small Claims Court in Iowa
How to File a Civil Answer in Kings County Supreme Court
Roseland Associates Debt Consolidation Review