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please help · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:19 pm Subject: cop came for me

Hi,

I owe money to cc companies. I lost my job and left USA. When I left I gave my friend's address to cc companies. Collection agents sent letters to me but I was afraid and didn't respond to them. I sent a letter 3 years ago to the cc companies explaining that I don't have money to pay and will pay them later. Last week police came to my friend's house asking about me. My friend got scared and told him that I was not living there. Will they put me in jail? I am so scared now. What will they do? Does this effect my friend also? Please help me. I am so confused and scared. I took the money from cc because I lost job and I had health problem. I used the money for that. Please help me

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:23 pm Subject:

Could be one of two things.
1: Sheriff serving a summons (No big deal)
2: You've been subpoenaed (Can be big deal)

The sheriff showing up to serve summons is probably the case here. Especially if that hasn't happened yet. #2 happens after #1
Normally, you will never go to jail for CC debt. The only time there is a danger of jail-time is during post-judgment deposition. You could be subpoenaed to come in to answer questions basically. 99% of the time, if a debtor talks to the law firm collector, they won’t have to worry about that.

(I'm not an attorney, this isn't legal advice. Blah blah)

please help · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:48 pm Subject: cop came for me

Hi,

Thank you for your reply. My friend told me that this is the first time that a police came to his house. I am not a US citizen and I was on work visa when I took the debt then I lost job and the work visa time was over and to visit US now I need visa. I can't come to USA now. What should I do now. My friend told the cop that I don't live there. Cop just noted my friend's name and left. Will he come back again. I am feeling so bad that I put my friend in this situation.

If I don't response then the judge will make the judgement. I don't have money to pay right now. I can pay like $50 a month but the total debt is $30,000

Please tell me what will happen if I don't go to the court

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:56 pm Subject:

Do you plan on coming back to the USA?
A debt settlement program can get you out of $30,000 of debt in 4 years for $300 a month.
If you don't plan on coming back to the US, it takes 7 years for the judgment to fall off of your credit report.

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:00 pm Subject:

If you don't go to court, you will get a 'default judgment'. Basicly a piece of paper from the court saying you owe someone money. As I said, unless they subpoena you, nothing will happen assuming:
1. You have no property in the US
2. You have no bank accounts in the US
3. You do not work in the US

After a few years, the statute of limitations kicks in and the judgment goes away.

*edit* Also, the worst thing that could happen to your friend already happened. A sheriff rang his doorbell. That is the extent of his involvement. He did the right thing saying you don't live there. They may come back and do a substitution of service, but its no big deal.

please help · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:05 pm Subject: cop came for me

Hi rstimson,

Thank you for the reply. I was crying all day and so confused. I just want to die but I have small kid. Even god is not letting me to die.

I won't come back to USA. Even If I want to come in future the immigration people won't allow mw because of my bad credit and the police case against me. If I come to states I can get a good job and pay off the debt in 4 years.

My worry is will the cops come to my freind's house until somebody receive the summons?

What will happen if the judge orders me to pay the debt?

Sorry to bother you. But I don't have anybody to help me in this matter.

Thank you

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:17 pm Subject:

No problem, we help people all day. It's why I love my job.

It's not really that big of a deal for you. You are what we call execution proof. Meaning, there is nothing they can do to you. The "Police Case" is not criminal, it is civil. I'd be surprised if that kept you out of the US. I could be wrong, but we do have a lot of immigrant clients at my company. As I said above; "The worst thing that could happen to your friend already happened. A sheriff rang his doorbell. That is the extent of his involvement. He did the right thing saying you don't live there. They may come back and do a substitution of service, but its no big deal."
Substitution of service means they will just leave the court documents with whomever answered the door.

Right now, the collector has a piece of paper from the creditor saying you owe them money. After judgment, the collector has a piece of paper from the court saying you owe them money. After they figure out that they can't get anything from you, they'll be S**t out of luck. It's really nothing to worry about. I can't stress that enough. We have thousands of clients who are in this same position, you are not alone.

please help · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:51 pm Subject: cop came for me

Hi rstimson,

Thanks a lot for your replies.

I want to pay the debt but I can't afford $300. Is there a way that I can pay $100 every month?

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:03 pm Subject:

In your case, I'd just save the money up yourself in a non-US bank account, then whenever you have like 30-40% of the balance, call and offer it to the collector law firm. For the most part, you hold all the cards in this. Don't make minimum payments on full balance, don't accept over 50% of the judgment balance.

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:25 pm Subject:

I originally came to the US on a student Visa. Later I immigrated directly to a green card. I have a lot of friends who are on work VISA's. I just checked with one who who is very well versed in immigration laws and procedures....credit is not a part of the process. A civil judgement will not prevent a work visa or green card.

My friend said your friend should have told the sherrif that you left the country. They would then not likely pursue the case.

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:21 pm Subject:

If I may ask, what country are you from originally Soap Lady?

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 5:46 am Subject:

Canada

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 7:06 am Subject:

Awesome, I've always wanted to go there, got some friends up in the Quebec area but they always come down here.

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:37 am Subject:

Here she is going south and I am inventing reasons to immigrate north! Laughing

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:42 am Subject:

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:54 am Subject:

I actually immigrated NORTH to the US.

I am from Toronto...I moved to Minneapolis which is about 200 miles further north than Toronto. Most people forget that southern Ontario dips way down into the US.

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