TheDebtFile.com
What debt collectors can actually do to you. And what you can do about it.
Written by a former debt collector with twelve years inside the industry. Not how the law reads on paper. How it works in practice, from the side most people never see.
Four Areas, One Focus
01 — COLLECTOR RIGHTS
Debt Collectors and Your RightsWhat collectors can and cannot do under the FDCPA. Contact rules, harassment, validation rights, statute of limitations.
02 — DEBT LAWSUITS
Debt Lawsuits and CourtWhat happens when a collector files suit. How to respond, what defenses exist, how default judgments work.
03 — GARNISHMENT
Wage GarnishmentHow garnishment works after a judgment, what limits apply, which income is protected, how to claim exemptions.
04 — DEBT RELIEF
Debt Relief OptionsSettlement programs, credit counseling, consolidation, DIY negotiation. How to evaluate the tradeoffs.
If You Need Help Now
Situations That Cannot Wait
Some situations have deadlines attached. These pages are written for readers in those situations.
- FDCPA
A Collector Is Harassing You
What counts as harassment, how to document it, and how to make collectors stop.
- Lawsuit
You Have Been Served With a Lawsuit
What to do after receiving a summons, how long you have to respond, and what happens if you don't.
- Garnishment
Your Wages Are Being Garnished
How garnishment orders work, what income is protected, and the options available to stop it.
- Bank Levy
Your Bank Account Has Been Frozen
How bank levies work, what funds are exempt, and how to file a claim to protect your account.
- Settlement
You Want to Settle Your Debt
How settlement programs work, what they cost, and how to evaluate the legitimate ones.
Getting Started
How to Use This Site
- Find your situation
Use the four topic areas above to find the category that matches what you are dealing with.
- Understand the stage you are in
Debt collection escalates. The information you need depends on where you are in that process.
- Check the deadlines first
If you received a court summons, start there before reading anything else.
- Know when to get an attorney
This site tells you how the process works, and when general information is not enough.