Deal With Your Debt or You May Go to Jail

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Collection agencies are using severe methods to go after debtors. They're going through the courts to collect. The choices are show up, pay up — or get locked up.

First, the collection agency files a lawsuit against the debtor. (The agency should send the debtor an official notification in the mail.) If the debtor doesn't appear at the hearing, the judge can vote in favor of the collection agency (called a default judgment) then schedule another hearing to review the debtor's assets. If the debtor doesn't appear at this hearing, the judge can declare that the debtor is in contempt of court and issue a warrant for his/her arrest. Not only will the debtor have pay what is owed, but also court fines and, in some cases, bail money.

Federal law abolished debtor's prison in 1833. However, this scenario has been appearing with increasing regularity in Minnesota, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois and Washington. According to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, in 2009, there were 845 cases of debtors being sent to prison in Minnesota.

How can you protect yourself and stay out of jail? Follow these five steps:

1. Open your mail

When your account is months past due, your original creditor will usually sell your account to a third-party collection agency for pennies on the dollar (that way they get something for your loan balance). Then, of course, the collection agency wants to make a profit, so they start calling and sending threatening letters to scare the money out of you. If you contact the agency in writing that you want them to stop calling, by law, they should stop.

However, if you don't respond they might decide to take you to court. In that case they should send you an official notice of a court hearing with a date so that you can attend and defend yourself. The notice should also have the official court address on the envelope, but sometimes (wrongly) the agency will send an "unofficial" letter giving you notice. Don't put your mail in a big pile or in a brown bag and assume it will go away. Open and read everything; if there is a collection notice, you will know.

2. Know what you owe

Keep track of your outstanding loans. Look at your statements and keep a file. If you are having trouble making timely payments, contact the creditor and let them know. Some creditors will offer a reduced payment/lower interest program. In the case of medical debt, most doctors and hospitals don't charge interest and will usually agree to a payment plan.

3. Review your credit report regularly and dispute errors

Checking your credit report every four to six months will show you where you stand with your debt and debt payments. (Go to AnnualCreditReport.com.)You can see if an account is so delinquent that it has been sold to a collection agency. It will appear above the Account History section under Collections.

For example, it isn't unusual for a person who has been in the hospital to find medical debt in collection that he or she wasn't even aware of. (Hospitals can send dozens of bills so it is easy to miss paying a few.) Also, landlords, utilities and phone companies can come up with final charges, but you might not get the bill if you've moved. Five months later, the charge will show up as a collection item. Review each item in your report, and if something is incorrect, write to the credit bureau to dispute it. (Go to FTC.gov for dispute forms.)

4. Show up in court if you get a notice

You need to appear in front of the judge to plead your case. If you don't show, then the judge will only hear the collection agency's version of the situation. When there are extenuating circumstances, you can ask the judge for special consideration and work out a compromise payment plan. Also, if you're experiencing financial hardship, bring a financial statement detailing your assets and liabilities and a cash-flow statement with your income and essential expenses.

5. Demand to see proof of the original debt

When you're in court pleading your case, ask the collection agency to show proof of your original debt. In some cases, your account has changed hands several times and the collection agency has no written legal evidence of the original loan. That may win your case right there.

Many people are struggling with debt, and collection agencies are getting more aggressive in coming after delinquent accounts. Even if your accounts are in collection, you do have rights. (Go to FTC.gov for more information on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or read a previous Wise Bread article on the FDCPA.) Be aware of the potential consequences of ignoring your debts, and be pro-active if you're summoned to court. Otherwise, you might be taking an expensive ride in a paddy wagon to the Big House.

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