I had a credit card when I was in college that I never paid for $1900. It has been over 5 years, and all of a sudden I was served (not by a sheriff) with a Praecipe from the collection agency. Do you think this is legit, or a scare tactic? It says at the top "In the court of common pleas of the state of __ in and for ____ county." Should I be nervous? I thought this debt was long gone. I am not in a position to pay it off right now. Do you think they will actually take me to court for $1900?
2007-02-18 06:15:31 · 12 answers · asked by lima1013 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
For those of you that responded negatively. I was in no way shape or form trying to rob anyone or get out of paying my debt. You don't know my entire situation and should not make assumptions. Stick to the question, or don't respond at all.
2007-02-18 08:30:43 · update #1
You need to understand that you stole money. There will be interest charges added to that. You may be able to negotiate a compromise or a payment plan without going to court if you express intent to pay..
2007-02-18 06:31:16 · answer #1 · answered by DrB 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. Courts often have their own staff serving papers. Legal documents do not have to be served by a sheriff.
2. Debts do not just go away. It really does not matter if it is legit or a scare tactic, you admit you owe the money.
3. I doubt they are taking you to court for $1900 You owed them $1900 five years ago. What was the interest rate on the credit card? You owe the interest also. I bet you owe closer to $3000.
4. Why they were not sending bills each month you did not say. Did you move and not tell them of your new address? If that is the case, then they finally found you and probably want the money they spent tracking you down. Add another $200-1000
5. They may not take you to court for $1900 but I bet they ARE taking your to court for $5000 as a guess.
Good luck.....you will need it.
2007-02-18 14:28:25 · answer #2 · answered by forgivebutdonotforget911 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they will as a last resort. They are trying to scare you into paying the debt and if need be they will sue you for it before the time limit runs out. Your best bet now is to work with the creditor that has the debt and work out an arrangement to pay it. Oh, and as far as $1900 I'm sure at this point they have added 5 years worth of interest at the maximum allowed by your credit agreement (Now in the 20+% range). So they are going to throw a huge number at you to scare you more. Just remember that is a starting spot for negotiations. Remember also, you acknowledged this is a debt you incurred. You are responsible. Be a grown up and take care of it.
2007-02-18 06:23:32 · answer #3 · answered by meathookcook 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they will. They can also attach your wages, your bank account and any assets you have. If you thought the debt was "long gone", who did you think paid it off.
Why do you think you are entltled to steal 1900.00 from someone? What you should have done, when you first started getting the phone calls or letters abou this debt was to make arrangements to pay. It might not be too late. Try calling the collection agency to see if you can work out monthly payments.
Keep this in mind, the collection agency has "bought" your debt from the credit card company. They usually buy outstanding debts at a reduce price...they may have only paid 1000.00 for it. But, when they collect from you, they will have made a 900.00 profit. That is how collection agencies make money. One way or the other, you will pay them. They are sharks - and they are protected by the law.
2007-02-18 07:46:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be prepared to pay court fees on top of the $1900. You probably should have made sure it was paid off rather than assuming.
2007-02-18 06:25:46 · answer #5 · answered by FlyChicc420 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HA! Do the crime pay the time buddy. If I were the CC company I would nail you to the wall. What a weaselly thing to do. You stole almost 2000 dollars from them. Nothing separates you from the thiefs we read about in the newspaper every day. If you were smart, which apparently is debatable, you would get in touch with the credit card company and offer to pay it off. With interest you probably owe them $12,000-$15,000.
2007-02-18 06:21:18 · answer #6 · answered by Jace 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they might take you to small claims court, but before you go I would go and talk to a attroney and see if you might be able to set it up on payments. this would save you a lot of time.
2007-02-18 06:23:59 · answer #7 · answered by karen v 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
debt doesn't go away just because you ignore it. sounds like they're serious about taking you to court.
2007-02-18 06:20:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
THEY ARE DEBT COLLECTORS AND NEVER HEARD WHERE ANY CREDIT CARD COMPANIES CAN SUE YOU..I OWE CREDIT CARD COMPANIES AND NEVER GOT THREATEN TO BE SUED , NOW IF YOU ARE WORKING , I THINK THEY CAN GARNISH YOUR WAGES ..
2007-02-18 06:25:55 · answer #9 · answered by Swm 39 4 Younger Swf Forever 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have fun in court, and look for garnishment from employer. They are Dead Serious.
2007-02-18 06:19:34 · answer #10 · answered by spiritwalker 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋