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If you're struggling with loan debt, the last thing you need is to be blindsided by collectors. Here's what to expect during the debt collection process.
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We know how it goes. One missed payment snowballs into two, three, or four missed payments. The fees add up and all of a sudden, you're stuck with loan debt that you'll never be able to pay off and it ends up in default. Defaulted SBA loans are a different animal than non-SBA loan debt. This article addresses non-SBA loan related debt.
It's often just as the frustration turns to into despair that your debt is sent into collection.
But what happens after you start receiving calls from collectors? Is there any way to make a bad situation better?
The creditor (or bank) that you owe may still own your debt, or they may sell it to a collection agency to collect.
If the bank owns your debt, then the collection agency may collect fees or commission for recovering the money. If the creditor sells the debt, then the collection agency will be even more eager to recover the money.
Regardless of who owns it, prepare to be on the receiving end of many, many phone calls.
You may also get emails and letters from the collection agency.
But know that they won't stop calling. The collection agency has a lot to lose if they don't recover the debt they take on.
That's why your best solution isn't to ignore the calls. No, your best strategy is to negotiate
For most of us, the first instinct when we get a call from a collection agency is to hide.
Whether we're embarrassed that the debt has reached that point or scared because there's no way we can pay it, all we want to do is unplug the phone and close the blinds.
Do not hide from debt collectors.
Whether they own your debt or they're just chasing commission, they will not stop calling. Moreover, ignoring them will make matters worse.
Instead, follow a strategy to dealing with debt.
It looks like this:
The first thing you should do is ask the agency to validate your debt.
Validating your debt means finding out how old your debt is, how long your loan debt has been in collections, and whether the agency has valid records of the debt.
Why?
Because many states have a statute of limitations on debt. That means a creditor cannot send a decades-old debt into collections and ask for massive fees.
Do not agree to pay the debt until it has been validated.
You may be in luck and the debt may be invalid.
That doesn't mean you don't have to pay - you do need to pay.
Instead, it relieves the pressure because it means the collector can't sue you. (But they might still try.)
Keep in mind, if a company sued you for repayment and won, but they sued you in a different state to the one you live in, they can't make you pay. In fact, it will often cost them more than the debt is worth to transfer the judgment to another state.
The best way to deal with loan debt in collections is to pay the balance.
Paying it off offers more than peace of mind. Collection agencies typically wait 30 days before reporting your failure to pay to credit bureaus.
By paying quickly, you can protect your credit score.
Many of us end up in this situation because we can't pay. If we could, we would have paid the bill in the first place.
Now, that's not a reason to ignore the calls. If your debt is valid and you can't pay, the collector may take you to court, which will inevitably be more expensive than paying the debt alone.
The best course of action if you cannot find a way to pay in one lump sum is to negotiate a payment arrangement.
Tip: If you're currently unemployed or have no assets, let the collector know you're "judgment-proof". This will dissuade them from suing because it means that you don't have wages to garnish or assets to seize even if the collector won.
It's possible to negotiate a settlement directly with the collection agency, but doing so may be difficult.
Collection agents have monthly targets. They often try to force you into a huge down payment or a strict payment schedule because they want to get their money.
These are essentially sales tactics - don't fall for them.
Put what you can down up front to relieve the burden from yourself. Then, set up a payment schedule that works for YOU.
There is no deadline on collection payments; agents use this trick to get money sooner because if they let you set the deadline, they won't get their money when they want it, which is right now.
Once you've figured out what your debt is, what you owe, and how you're going to pay it back, it's time to get the collectors off of your back.
We said before that it's important to pick up the phone, but that's only to find out what they want.
Collectors will keep calling until the whole debt is paid, but you don't have to answer.
There's no law that says you have to pick up the phone. And if they don't stop calling, send them a written letter requesting they stop contacting you.
If you've got a particularly persistent collection agency, tell them you've passed your debt onto an attorney. Then, they have to stop calling you immediately.
Also, debt collectors can only call between 8 AM and 9 PM. If you're getting calls at all hours, report them.
Loan debt is formidable, especially once it has reached collections. But millions of people find their way out of debt every year - and so can you.
If you're a small business owner and your loan debt has gone into collections, schedule a case evaluation today.
Millions of Dollars in SBA Debts Resolved via Offer in Compromise and Negotiated Repayment Agreements without our Clients filing for Bankruptcy or Facing Home Foreclosure
Millions of Dollars in Treasury Debts Defended Against via AWG Hearings, Treasury Offset Program Resolution, Cross-servicing Disputes, Private Collection Agency Representation, Compromise Offers and Negotiated Repayment Agreements
Our Attorneys are Authorized by the Agency Practice Act to Represent Federal Debtors Nationwide before the SBA, The SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals, the Treasury Department, and the Bureau of Fiscal Service.
Clients borrowed and personally guaranteed an SBA 7(a) loan. Clients defaulted on the SBA loan and were sued in federal district court for breach of contract. The SBA lender demanded the Client pledge several personal real estate properties as collateral to reinstate and secure the defaulted SBA loan. We were subsequently hired to intervene and aggressively defend the lawsuit. After several months of litigation, our attorneys negotiated a reinstatement of the SBA loan and a structured workout that did not involve any liens against the Client's personal real estate holdings.
Client’s small business obtained an SBA 7(a) loan for $150,000. He and his wife signed personal guarantees and pledged their home as collateral. The SBA loan went into default, the term or maturity date was accelerated and demand for payment of the entire amount claimed was made. The SBA lender’s note gave it the right to adjust the default interest rate from 7.25% to 18% per annum. The business filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy but was dismissed after 3 years due to its inability to continue with payments under the plan. Clients wanted to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which would have been a mistake as their home had significant equity to repay the SBA loan balance in full as the Trustee would likely seize and sell the home to repay the secured and unsecured creditors. However, the SBA lender opted to pursue the SBA 7(a) Guaranty and subsequently assigned the loan and the right to enforce collection to the SBA. Clients then received the SBA Official 60-Day Notice and hired the Firm to respond to it and negotiate on their behalf. Clients disputed the SBA’s alleged balance of $148,000, as several payments made to the SBA lender during the Chapter 11 reorganization were not accounted for. To challenge the SBA’s claimed debt balance, the Firm Attorneys initiated expedited discovery to obtain government records. SBA records disclosed the true amount owed was about $97,000. Moreover, because the Clients’ home had significant equity, they were not eligible for an Offer in Compromise or an immediate Release of Lien for Consideration, despite being incorrectly advised by non-attorney consulting companies that they were. Instead, our Firm Attorneys recommended a Workout of $97,000 spread over a lengthy term and a waiver of the applicable interest rate making the monthly payment affordable. After back and forth negotiations, SBA approved the Workout proposal, thereby saving the home from imminent foreclosure and reducing the Clients' liability by nearly $81,000 in incorrect principal balance, accrued interest, and statutory collection fees.
Clients' 7(a) loan was referred to Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service for enforced collection in 2015. They not only personally guaranteed the loan, but also pledged their primary residence as additional collateral. One of the clients filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy thinking that it would discharge the SBA 7(a) lien encumbering their home. They later discovered that they were mistakenly advised. The Firm was subsequently hired to review their case and defend against a series of collection actions. Eventually, we were able to negotiate a structured workout for $180,000 directly with the SBA, saving them approximately $250,000 (by reducing the default interest rate and removing Treasury's substantial collection fees) and from possible foreclosure.
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