Scared in CA
Date: Fri, 01/21/2011 - 01:47
So here's my story. I have an outstanding credit card balance with Citibank (about $12,000.00). I was young, dumb and in college when I opened the card and racked up most of the debt. Everything was going fine with monthy payments until I had a family emergency and was out of work for 4 months and that was about a little more than a year ago. Long story short, my Mother (who lives in Pennsylvania) said there was a note on her door with my name saying to call the local sheriffs department for a legal matter. I have not lived with my parents for three years, I got married and relocated to California (my husband is in the military). My Mother gave me the phone number and I spoke to the deputy who told me he was trying to serve me papers on a credit debt issue but couldn't since I live in California. He told me to look up my name in the public records website to get more information. I saw it was Citibank and they filed a lawsuit against me at the local court house and that and arbitration hearing was set for 9/23/2011. The deputy said not to worry about it since I don't live there and I wasn't served but I don't want to ignore this, it's on my mind constantly so I have a few questions if anyone could please answer:
- Can Citibank get a judgement against me if I was never served the papers since I don't live in that state anymore? (I don't get why they would try to serve me at my old address when they sent me mail to my current address for 3 years)
- Why is the arbitration hearing date 8 months from now? Not that I'm complaining at all but that seems like a long time.
- I read in Pennsylvania that you have 20 days to enter a plea after you get served and if sometimes if not answered, they will automatically get the judgement against you and levy your bank account, is this true?
- Where should I go from here? Should I call Citibank or the court house where they filed the lawsuit? Or should I just let it go and think unless they serve me at my current address, they can't do anything.
If anyone could please help me, I'd really truely appreciate it. I keep on looking at our bank account expecting all 0's, not a good feeling.
- Can Citibank get a judgement against me if I was never served the papers since I don't live in that state anymore? (I don't get why they would try to serve me at my old address when they sent me mail to my current address for 3 years)
- Why is the arbitration hearing date 8 months from now? Not that I'm complaining at all but that seems like a long time.
- I read in Pennsylvania that you have 20 days to enter a plea after you get served and if sometimes if not answered, they will automatically get the judgement against you and levy your bank account, is this true?
- Where should I go from here? Should I call Citibank or the court house where they filed the lawsuit? Or should I just let it go and think unless they serve me at my current address, they can't do anything.
If anyone could please help me, I'd really truely appreciate it. I keep on looking at our bank account expecting all 0's, not a good feeling.
No, they have to get service on you to proceed to get a judgment
No, they have to get service on you to proceed to get a judgment. But keep an eye on the case online just to be sure they don't try to lie and say the did get service on you.
Is there any way that you can settle this debt with Citibank? I
Is there any way that you can settle this debt with Citibank? If so, I would call them and see what they can offer.
I agree with Aubrey. Avoid court all together, if you can. Cal
I agree with Aubrey. Avoid court all together, if you can. Call Citibank and try to set up affordable payment arrangements or a settlement.
