What happens if I don’t respond to a debt collector’s request for payment?

If you do not respond to a debt collector’s request for payment, the debt collector is allowed to take certain steps to collect on the debt. In Texas, these steps include filing a lawsuit against you. Once the suit is filed, you will receive a notice of the lawsuit in the mail. The notice will include the amount of the debt, the name of the court where the lawsuit was filed, and the date and time of the hearing. If you do not appear in court on the date of the hearing, a default judgment can be entered against you. This means that the court automatically decides in favor of the debt collector. If a default judgment is entered against you, the debt collector may be able to garnish your wages or take other collection actions. In Texas, debt collectors also have the right to turn the debt over to a third-party collection agency. This is a company that is hired by the debt collector to collect the debt. The third-party collection agency can then take steps to collect the debt, such as calling you, sending letters, or filing a lawsuit against you. No matter what the debt collector does, you still have the right to dispute the debt or work out a payment plan that fits your budget. It is important to remember that, even if the debt collector is pressuring you to pay the debt, you still have rights and protections under Texas debt collection law.

Related FAQs

Can a debt collector contact me after I’ve written them a letter asking them to stop?
Can a debt collector ever contact me more than once a week?
Can a debt collector ever report negative information to credit bureaus?
Can a debt collector turn a debt over to an attorney for collection?
Will a debt collector ever inform me of my rights?
Who do I contact if I believe a debt collector has violated the law?
Can a debt collector garnish my wages without a court order?
Can a debt collector contact me about a debt that is not mine?
How do I know if a debt collector is legitimate?
Can a debt collector contact me by phone or in person?

What happens if I don’t respond to a debt collector’s request for payment?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts