Can a debt collector sue me if I don’t pay my debt?

Yes, a debt collector can sue you if you do not pay your debt. In Washington, debt collectors have the right to file a lawsuit against you in civil court. The debt collector will be required to prove that you owe the debt. If the debt collector learns where you live, they can also serve you with a summons to appear in court. If the court decides that you are responsible for the debt, you may be required to pay the debt plus court costs and legal fees. It is important that you respond to the summons when you receive it. If you fail to appear or ignore the court’s orders, the court may issue a judgement against you, granting the debt collector the legal authority to garnish wages, attach bank accounts, levy assets, or place liens on property. It is important to note that Washington has strict laws in place that protect debtors from aggressive debt collection practices. The state also limits the amount of money debt collectors can charge in fees. If you believe that a debt collector is behaving inappropriately, you can file a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General’s Office.

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