Dealing with a collection agent is quite a stressful experience, especially with the possibility of facing a credit card lawsuit. For others, ignoring the problem may seem like the best thing to do, but if you want to get rid of a problem, you will have to find a solution. If you came across a collection agent trying to get you to pay off an alleged debt, it’s important to ask yourself these important questions:

“Are you calling the right person?”

Many debt collectors contact the wrong person because they get too little information from the original creditor when they bought canceled accounts for pennies on the dollar. Therefore, if you have a name similar to that of a debtor, they may mistake you for the other person and call you. If that’s the case, be sure to tell the debt collector and write down the time and date you called. If the calls persist, you can take legal action against the debt collector.

“Do I own the debt?”

If you own the debt, it is important to check if the debt is out of statute. If that’s the case, the collector can no longer pursue you as the account is old. On the other hand, if you are unsure whether the debt is yours, you can submit a Debt Validation Notice to learn more about the details of the debt account.

“What should I do to pay the debt?”

If the debt is really yours, you need to know what you can do to fix the problem. Don’t just ignore the debt collector that can result in a credit card lawsuit, instead, talk to him and negotiate a deal and just keep the agreement in writing. That being said, it is important not to reveal any personal information, including your bank details and personal contact information. If you don’t have the money to pay the debt, let the other party know. If the debt collector files a credit card lawsuit, you can defend yourself in court and possibly even win the case, as long as you don’t ignore the summons for the credit card lawsuit.

“Should I hire a lawyer?”

If you are facing a credit card lawsuit, you can hire an attorney or defend yourself in court. For many debtors, a great document with information on how to fight a credit card lawsuit is enough to win the case. However, if you have the budget, go ahead and hire an attorney. Also, if you believe that a debt collector has violated your rights, you can also legally pursue them and even pay a fine for it.