Most people would never think that their three by three-inch credit card could one day make them the target of a lawsuit by a multi-billion-dollar corporation, but it can happen. More often than not, credit card companies looking to get even on debt are going to harass you with collection agents and non-stop barrages of phone calls and other extra-legal threats.
However, it does occasionally occur where a company will engage someone in a lawsuit, which can not only be a shocking and upsetting occurrence, but it can be a very costly one. Most average Americans don’t have the legal backing to stand up to a massive credit card company. If a company does attempt to take legal action, all hope is not lost. If you’re someone that is facing threats of legal action from credit card company, here are some of the most important things to keep in mind.
It’s imperative that you take the threat of the lawsuit very seriously. Sometimes, it could be a lawsuit issued in error, but more often than not, if it’s a legitimate pursuit of legal action, it’s something that you shouldn’t ignore. It’s imperative in those instances that if you do run into that situation, you need to verify that you have debt.
According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you are entitled to verify the worthiness of debt through written certified mail. It is essential to understand that sometimes, third-party debt companies will purchase your debt in an attempt to collect on it, so it may be possible that a “mercenary” collection agency is contacting you in regard to debt, rather than the credit card company itself.
Once you verify a debt is genuine, it’s time to take appropriate action.
While you have an obligation to take care of existing debt, you have a lot of options you can utilize to respond to the debt.
Negotiate a Settlement- The option to pay a debt in full or even in prorated amounts may be too difficult to settle in a reasonable time. One option is to give a collections agency a counter-offer requesting an out-of-court settlement. Depending on the amount owed, companies may be willing to settle just to avoid the cost of going through court. Setting on debt still requires payment of some amount, but it enables you to fight for better terms, whether it’s a reduced amount or a longer duration of repayment.
Pay the Full Amount- Occam’s Razor is the maxim of the simplest explanation is often the best one. When it comes to solving a debt-related problem, the easiest solution is often to pay the amount in full. Paying an amount in full can prevent a lawsuit from happening in the first place. If it’s possible to pay a debt in full, it’s often the best option at your disposal if you’re looking to avoid the courtroom.
Hire a Debt Collection Attorney- Settling debt can be a stressful process. Hiring an experienced debt collection attorney can make things easier on you and your family. Look for a debt collection attorney with extensive experience settling debts and negotiating the best terms for their clients.
Settling a debt is always an option but settling for incompetent debt collection attorneys is never acceptable. At the Law Offices of Jibrael Hindi, we’ve fought and won over a million dollars’ worth of compensation for our clients. Let us fight on your behalf today.
Get the peace of mind that comes with a Florida debt collection attorney today. Call 1-844-542-7235 or complete our online contact form for a free consultation.