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What will a debt collector do if I can’t pay old credit card debt?
It only takes one serious financial setback — whether it’s a layoff, a medical issue or an unexpected major expense — to suddenly find yourself behind on bills. After all, life can throw curveballs that make it difficult to keep up with your expenses, even if you’ve been responsible with your money. In these situations, many people will prioritize their essential expenses, like mortgage or rent payments, over other financial obligations, such as their credit card bills, for understandable reasons. After all, paying for shelter and basic needs comes before handling high-interest debt.
Unfortunately, while this approach might work initially, delinquent credit card debt can become a major financial strain over time. Late fees, penalty APRs and accumulated interest can make the debt snowball, and if you’re unable to catch up on missed credit card payments over the long term, there’s a good chance your debt will eventually be sold to a third-party debt collector. This often marks the start of a new, more challenging phase in dealing with the debt, as debt collectors have a different set of tools and motivations when it comes to recouping what you owe.
So, what exactly can a debt collector do if you can’t pay your old credit card debt? Understanding what’s permissible can help you prepare for the steps debt collectors might take if you’re struggling to pay off your old credit card debt.
Take steps to get rid of your old credit card debt today.
What will a debt collector do if I can’t pay old credit card debt?
If your old credit card debt has been sold to a debt collector, the collection agency’s first approach is often to make contact and discuss payment options. This process usually begins with letters and phone calls that urge you to settle the debt in some way, whether through partial payments or a lump-sum arrangement.
While these contacts may feel persistent, debt collectors are required by law to follow the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which protects consumers from harassment, excessive calls and abusive language. If a debt collector crosses these boundaries, you have the right to file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
If the initial outreach doesn’t result in payment, the debt collector may try to negotiate even further on the settlement amount. Because they typically acquire the debt for a fraction of its original value, many debt collectors are willing to accept a lower payment than they initially offered, which can work in your favor. In these cases, they may even suggest a payment plan that breaks the debt into smaller, manageable installments.
However, if you are still unable to make payments or come to an agreement at that point, the debt collector might take more serious steps. This can include filing a lawsuit to collect on the debt. If they decide to pursue legal action, you would be served with a court summons, requiring you to appear and respond.
If you ignore the lawsuit, a default judgment could be entered against you in the debt collector’s favor, allowing the debt collector to pursue wage garnishment, liens on your property or even bank account levies. That’s why it’s important to respond to any court summons you receive, as failure to do so can lead to outcomes that are harder to reverse.
Find out what your debt relief options are here.
What other options do I have?
If you’re unable to pay off your old credit card debt, it’s important to know that there are options beyond simply hoping the debt will disappear. Here are some common debt relief strategies that could help you regain control of your finances:
- Debt forgiveness (or debt settlement): With debt forgiveness, you negotiate with creditors or collectors to pay less than the total amount you owe. This is typically done through a debt relief company, but you can also try negotiating on your own.
- Debt management: Offered through credit counseling agencies, debt management plans involve working with creditors to lower interest rates and waive fees, making the debt more manageable. This plan usually lasts three to five years and can provide structure for paying off debt.
- Debt consolidation: If you have a decent credit score, you may qualify for a debt consolidation loan, which rolls multiple debts into a single loan with a fixed interest rate. This can simplify payments and potentially reduce interest costs.
- Bankruptcy: For those in severe financial distress, bankruptcy may be an option. Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharges most unsecured debts, including credit card balances. Chapter 13 bankruptcy, on the other hand, allows you to repay your debts over a three- to five-year period under a court-approved plan.
The bottom line
Falling behind on credit card payments can feel overwhelming, especially when a debt collector gets involved. However, understanding your rights and the steps a debt collector can take can help alleviate some of the stress. While debt collectors have various methods for recovering funds, they are limited by laws designed to protect consumers from harassment and unfair practices. If you’re struggling with debt, you should also explore your debt relief options. Each comes with its own pros and cons, but taking action can help you regain control and move closer to financial stability.
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Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on record turnout, bomb threats and more
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Nevada live election results for the 2024 presidential race
What to know about Nevada
Nevada, with an economy largely based around tourism and hospitality surrounding Las Vegas, is home to a significant working class population. Both Trump and Harris announced no-tax-on-tips policies in Nevada earlier this year, underscoring the dominance of service industry workers in the Silver State.
Although a Republican presidential candidate hasn’t won Nevada since 2004, Democrats’ margin of victory has decreased in recent years. The Silver State’s economy, dependent on the hospitality industry, was among the most impacted by pandemic closures in 2020, leading to a much slower recovery than in other states, and spurring frustration with Democrat-led policies.
In 2022, Republicans flipped the governor’s mansion, and the state was home to the closest Senate race in the country, suggesting that in 2024, it could be seriously in play for Republicans even at the presidential level. But Nevada, a state with high population turnover, has historically posed polling difficulties. And the largest voting bloc — more than 30% of voters — are registered as nonpartisan in 2024.
How Nevada voted in 2016 and 2020
All but two counties backed Trump in the last election — but those two Democrat-voting counties, home to Las Vegas and Reno, make up the bulk of the state’s population. President Biden defeated Trump in the 2020 election by more than 33,000 votes, and Hillary Clinton won the state in 2016, besting Trump by just over 27,000 votes.
Major races in Nevada
Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen and Republican Sam Brown are facing off in a key Senate race in Nevada as Democrats fight to hold onto control of the chamber. Brown, a 40-year-old businessman and former Army captain who lost the 2022 Republican Senate primary, is aiming to unseat Rosen in her first reelection bid and deliver the GOP its first Senate seat win in the Silver State since 2012.
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KCAL News Anchor, Emmy-Award winner Chauncy Glover dies at 39
Anchor and Emmy Award-winning journalist Chauncy Glover has died unexpectedly at the age of 39.
Chauncy joined the KCAL News Anchor Team in October 2023 after spending eight years in Houston as the first black male main anchor at KTRK.
For the past year, he has co-anchored the 5 and 11 p.m. newscasts with Pat Harvey and shared the desk with Suzie Suh at KCAL News at 8 and 10 p.m.
While his love for journalism caught him at an early age, Chauncy has always focused on the communities he served in, whether it was through his storytelling or his outreach.
“We, Sherry and Robert Glover, along with Chauncy’s beloved family, are devastated by the unimaginable loss of our beloved Chauncy,” the Glover family wrote in a statement. “He was more than a son and brother—he was a beacon of light in our lives and a true hero to his community.”
It was this passion as a true Southern gentleman that inspired Chauncy to create a mentorship program while working for WDIV in Detroit. After witnessing a teenager die on the streets, he started “The Chauncy Glover Project” as a hands-on, extensive mentoring program that helped transform teenage boys into upstanding gentlemen.
The program focuses on dressing for success, manhood, etiquette, college readiness, tutoring, public speaking, community service and more. The CGP Gents and Young Gents are 7-12th graders who Chauncy and other mentors met with twice a month for empowerment sessions and enrichment outings.
Chauncy relocated the program to Houston after he moved there to anchor at KTRK. CGP has proudly sent more than 350 boys of color to college and has mentored more than 1,000 young men.
“Chauncy’s compassion and dedication to helping others, especially through the Chauncy Glover Project, changed countless lives and inspired so many young men to pursue their dreams,” his family wrote. “His talent, warmth, and vision left an imprint on everyone who knew him, and the world is dimmer without him.”
While the three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist started his professional career with WTVM News in Columbus, Georgia, the news bug bit him at an early age. When he was just 5, Chauncy’s dad built him a mini anchor desk for the newscasts he would perform for his family every Sunday after church in his hometown of Athens, Alabama.
Chauncy worked in Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Texas before joining KCAL in California.
Chauncy also had a passion for theater, having acted in several national and Off-Broadway plays. One of his proudest moments came when he was asked to honor the late civil rights activist Rosa Parks by singing at her funeral in Montgomery, Alabama.
Chauncy traveled across the country as a motivational speaker, hoping to inspire the next generation of journalists.
“While we grieve this profound loss, we are comforted by the outpouring of love and memories shared by those who knew Chauncy as the passionate, gifted soul he was,” the family wrote. “We kindly ask for privacy as we mourn and honor his incredible legacy. He was taken from us far too soon, but his impact will be felt forever.”