Yes. Unpaid rent and broken lease fees are frequently sold to debt buyers. We help resolve these specifically to assist you in clearing your rental history.
Debt buyers—often called “junk debt buyers”—purchase old debts for pennies on the dollar and try to collect the full amount from you. They often lack the proper paperwork to prove they own the debt. We use this to your advantage.
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Yes. Unpaid rent and broken lease fees are frequently sold to debt buyers. We help resolve these specifically to assist you in clearing your rental history.
Yes. If a debt buyer harasses you, calls at prohibited times, lies about the amount owed, or threatens legal action they cannot take, they may be violating the FDCPA. You can sue them for statutory damages and attorney fees.
This happens frequently due to similar names or identity theft. You have the right to dispute the debt with the credit bureaus and the debt buyer. We can help you force them to verify the identity associated with the account.
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you have the right to tell them to stop calling your place of employment. Once you notify them (preferably in writing) that you cannot receive calls at work, they must stop.
Be careful. In many states, making a small payment on an old debt can “restart the clock” on the statute of limitations, allowing them to sue you for a debt that was previously too old to collect. Always consult an attorney before paying.
Yes. Because debt buyers purchased your debt for a low price, they are often willing to accept a lump-sum settlement for significantly less than the full balance. We handle these negotiations to ensure the settlement is legally binding and finalized.
It depends on your state. Federal law allows it, but some states, like Texas, act as a “haven” where wage garnishment is prohibited for most consumer debts. However, your bank accounts may still be at risk.
No. You cannot go to jail simply for owing money on credit cards, medical bills, or apartment leases in the United States. It is a civil matter, not a criminal one.
If you ignore a lawsuit, the court will likely issue a Default Judgment against you. This gives the debt buyer the power to potentially freeze bank accounts or place liens on property. You must file a written Answer by the deadline on the citation.
This is the legal paper trail showing how the debt moved from the original creditor to the current debt buyer. If the debt was sold three times, they need proof of all three sales. If there is a gap in this chain, they may not have the legal standing to sue you.
Do not ignore them, but do not give them personal banking information. You should immediately request a “Debt Validation” letter in writing. This forces them to provide the name of the original creditor and the amount owed.
This is a term for very old debt that a buyer tries to bring back to life. Often, the statute of limitations has passed, meaning they cannot legally sue you, but they will still call and write letters hoping you will pay voluntarily.
A debt buyer is a company that purchases “delinquent” or “charged-off” debts from original creditors (like credit card companies) or other buyers. They buy this “junk debt” for a fraction of the cost—sometimes pennies on the dollar—but attempt to collect the full balance plus interest from you.
Contact Cannon Legal PLLC for a consultation to discuss your specific situation.
You have the right to send a cease communication letter to the debt buyer, demanding that they stop contacting you. Under the FDCPA, once they receive this letter, they can only contact you to acknowledge receipt or to inform you of a specific action they may take, such as filing a lawsuit.
Texas law generally prohibits the garnishment of wages for most types of consumer debt.
There is a statute of limitations on how long a debt can be legally enforced through a lawsuit. In Texas for contract debts, it is typically four years. If the statute of limitations has expired, the debt buyer generally cannot sue you to collect it. However, they can still try to contact you to collect voluntarily. You should be aware of the statute of limitations and assert it as a defense if you are sued on an old debt.
Yes, it is often possible to negotiate a settlement with a debt buyer for a lower amount than what they claim you owe. An attorney can help you with this negotiation process.
You must take the lawsuit seriously and file a written answer with the court by the deadline stated in the citation. Failure to do so can result in a default judgment against you. Contact us immediately to help you respond and explore your legal options.
Proof of assignment is documentation showing that the original creditor legally sold or transferred the debt to the debt buyer. Without proper assignment, the debt buyer may not have the legal right to collect the debt from you.
Do not ignore them, but do not provide them with personal information without verifying the debt. Request written verification of the debt, including the original creditor’s name, the original account number, and documentation showing you owe the debt and that the debt buyer owns it.
You have significant rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Texas Debt Collection Act (TDCA). These laws protect you from harassment, false or misleading representations, and unfair collection practices. You have the right to demand proof of the debt and to tell them to stop contacting you.
A debt buyer is a company that purchases delinquent debts, often for a fraction of the original amount, and then attempts to collect the full balance from the consumer. These debts can include unpaid apartment rent or fees.