What happens if I ignore a letter from a debt collector?

If you ignore a letter from a debt collector in California, the debt collector can choose to take legal action. In California, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) acts as an additional form of consumer protection. This law protects you from harassment and abuse from debt collectors trying to collect payments. If you ignore the letter, the debt collector may file a lawsuit against you. As a result, they will then send you a Summons and Complaint. A Summons and Complaint is a document that notifies the debtor of a lawsuit and outlines the reasons the debt collector is taking the case to court. The Summons and Complaint must be served to the debtor and provide the debtor with information about the case. If the debtor fails to respond to the Summons and Complaint, the debt collector may move forward with obtaining a default judgment. This means that the court will grant the debt collector what they are asking for without the debtor being present or fighting the case. Therefore, it is important to always read and respond to letters from debt collectors. Ignoring these letters can lead to the debt collector taking legal action against the consumer.

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What happens if I ignore a letter from a debt collector?

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