Are debt collectors legitimate?
In short, yes. And you should take them seriously. But, they shouldn’t intimidate you!
First though, make sure the debt is legitimate. If it isn’t you may be the victim of identity theft, in which case you’ll need to address that situation, and can avert having liability on the debt.
No matter how legitimate the suit is though, you’ll need to address the notice. In choosing to put off the situation, or disregarding the service, in as little as 14 days you’ll be deemed automatically guilty, even if the debt wasn’t yours in the first place.
I’m James Foley, PLLC, the defender of borrowers across North Texas, especially Fort Worth, White Settlement, and Benbrook, and I’m here to make sure that no matter where you are or what your situation looks like, you have the right tools to handle it.
Even better, I’d like to give you peace of mind about your financial situation, with a path toward recovery. It’s what I enjoy most about my job!
Call me at 817-738-1633 or visit my Fort Worth offices to get started. We’ll go through the following possibilities when we talk.
How to tell if your identity has been stolen, and what to do if it has.
The common signs of identity theft can be found on your credit report, which can be checked for free up to three times a year at www.annualcreditreport.com.
If you find an account on your credit report that looks incorrect or fraudulent, your identity may or may not have been stolen. Moreover, if you’re being sued for that amount, you may need to get to the bottom of the issue in time to answer the debt suit.
This is crucial: whether you know the status of your identity security or not, you must answer within the time given or you lose your innocence in court.
Call me and I’ll help you get to the bottom of your situation. It may not be that your identity has been stolen. Maybe a computer error merged two accounts with the same name, or a business that has been purchased has incorrectly re-aged old accounts that were previously settled.
Whatever the case may be, we’ll make sure you remain innocent and clear, across Ft. Worth, Burleson, and more. If you find that identity theft is your problem, with or without my assistance, then obtain an FTC affidavit and go to the authorities. Finally, freeze your credit with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to make sure that any future uses of your personal information must have your redundant approval.
If a creditor has failed to validate your identity, and leaves you open to theft, I’ll be there to correct their error and make sure you don’t suffer for the mistake.
If your lawsuit is applicable, then you still have lots of options!
Forget what you’ve read about debt suits. No matter what situation you’re in, your ways out are numerous.
If your suit has been made in error, we can fight it.
If your suit can be settled, we can negotiate a payoff or re-negotiate a payment calendar.
And, if you can’t figure out a solution based on your current financial situation, we can talk about the prospect of bankruptcy.
When we talk about bankruptcy, there are many factors to consider, so I’ll do my best to advise you, and make sure that you’re doing the best thing for you and your family. Sometimes adding financial hardship to an already bad situation isn’t the best way forward.
With my advice, we’ll make sure you not only fix this debt, but also get back on your feet.
While chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy isn’t the first choice for any consumer, it is a tool that consumers can use to their advantage when they don’t have other options. So when we’ve exhausted repayment possibilities, or it looks like a settlement can’t be reached within your price range, we’ll take a look at your financial situation together.
I’ve seen plenty of clients with circumstances similar to yours, and my goal is to use that collective knowledge to benefit consumers across Arlington, Grand Prairie, DFW, Colleyville, and Mansfield. As long as you’re considering bankruptcy in Fort Worth, I’ll be your best partner for success moving forward.
The special part about bankruptcy is that it doesn’t automatically mean you’ll lose a home, car, or other important assets to keep you moving. We outlawed debtor’s prisons for this very reason: the goal is to break the cycle of heavy debt! And with chapter 7 bankruptcy, you won’t “lose the farm” in the process.
It’s rarely an easy decision, but with my experience and knowledge, I hope I can give you the best fighting chance.
Call me anytime at 817-738-1633, and let’s get started.
Whether you’re searching for information in Aledo, Haltom City, Richland Hills, or Burleson, I hope you’ll remember our first call as the beginning of the end to your debt issues. Whether you call me for advice, or retain my services for a court date or a negotiation, I’ll get you an outcome that you likely wouldn’t have known to pursue in the first place.