If you are unable to make payments on a debt, you may be tempted to turn a blind eye until you are able to come up with the money. But this is one of the worst things you can do. You always have the right to ignore a debt collector, but it will not make the debt go away. Here are some possible scenarios that can occur if you ignore a debt collector:
They leave you alone. You might think this is a good thing and perhaps the debt collector has forgotten about your debt. But this is unfortunately not the case.
Your credit score suffers. A past due debt will appear on your credit report regardless of whether you respond to debt collection attempts or not.
Your debt is transferred to another company. If the first collector is unable to reach you after repeated attempts, your account can wind up with a different agency. This can happen a number of times if the balance remains unpaid.
The debt continues to grow. Just because you stop paying your debt, does not mean the interest stops growing. Add on collection costs and this can cause the debt to double over time.
They reach out to people you know. Debt collectors can reach out to people who know you to try and locate you, especially if you have changed your phone number or address to avoid collection attempts. They are not allowed to tell them about your debt. Revealing debt to third parties (i.e. – family, neighbors, friends, co-workers, etc.) is a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
A lawsuit is filed against you. Ignoring a debt and failing to communicate with a debt collector can result in you being sued. You can try your best to defend yourself, but if a judgment is entered against you it can result in wage garnishment and even funds being withdrawn from your bank account to pay off the debt.
Stress mounts. The stress of debt can cause anxiety, sleepless nights, even marital problems. Avoiding debt collectors can leave you on the edge, wondering when the next phone call will be or collection letter will arrive in the mail.
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If you have any questions on this topic or are struggling with out of control credit card debt, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.
