A few things in life are as frightening or embarrassing as being chased by a debt collector. If you are facing a situation like this, you are not alone. People often fail to pay their loans and bills on time because of various reasons. In such circumstances, creditors do their best to solicit repayments, for which they may even hire a debt collector. The question is whether you need to consult a debt defense attorney Chicago. We have a few pointers below for your guidance.
Being chased for debts
There are various ways you can choose to deal with the debt collector. The first option is something no lawyer would recommend – not taking any action at all. If you choose not to respond to the calls or letters, the creditor may obtain a judgment, and that would only make things harder for you. The second option is to take legal action and defend your side without an attorney. If you know nothing about the law, this could backfire. The third option is to call a debt collection defense attorney.
When to call a debt collection defense attorney?
If you know that the creditor is asking to repay a debt that you own, you would have to consider ways to handle the financial situation. Depending on the circumstances, you may even want to consider options like debt consolidation and bankruptcy. On the contrary, if you think that you are not liable for the dues being charged or are aware that the debt collector has used illegal means to get the payment, lawyering up would help. A debt collection defense attorney can help evaluate the worth of your claim, and because the FDCPA has a fee-shifting provision, you could recover your lawyer’s fee too.
Common strategies used by lawyers
A debt collection defense attorney may rely on different defenses to prove your case. For instance, if a credit card company in Illinois decides to sue you for your unpaid bill, they must bring a lawsuit within five years. The deadline is set by the state’s statute of limitations. A lawyer will also check if a lawsuit is valid in the first place or whether the evidence is justifiable. In some cases, creditors inflate their bills, and an attorney can ensure that you don’t pay for anything that’s more than the debt you own.
If you have been harassed by a debt collection agency, consider talking to an attorney now.
