Can a debt collector obtain a judgment against me without my knowledge?

No, a debt collector generally cannot obtain a judgment against you without your knowledge in California. Debt collectors are required to follow the debt collection laws set forth by the state of California, which means they must serve you with a summons and complaint for the court case. You must be given reasonable opportunity to respond to the lawsuit, either in writing or in court, before a judgment can be entered. If the debt collector is pursuing a judgment against you, they must provide you with notice of the lawsuit. The court may also require them to publish notice in a local newspaper or on a public bulletin board. This means that you should receive either physical or electronic notice of the lawsuit, like an email or certified letter. Debt collectors may attempt to collect a debt from you without obtaining a judgment from the court. Such activities might include sending letters, making phone calls, or filing a lawsuit. If the company attempts to sue you, the court will require that they provide reasonable notice of the debt lawsuit. If you receive such a notice, you should contact a lawyer right away to determine your legal rights in the matter. Once a judgment has been obtained, a debt collector may be able to garnish your wages or bank account. Therefore, it is important to respond to any legal action taken against you within the appropriate time frame to ensure that the debt collector does not obtain a judgment against you without your knowledge.

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Can a debt collector obtain a judgment against me without my knowledge?

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