HELP!! I just got a summons

Have you never received anything previous to this?

You need to respond to the summons and show up on your court date. During the discovery process, you can ask for proper validation of the debt, including the original signed contract.

I received one notice in the mail about 3 weeks ago, but I didn't respond bc I didn't recognize the debt collector. But is it legal for someone to take you to court when you never made any type of agreement to pay them.

Of course they can file suit against you.

If you ignore it, they'll get a default judgment.

If you truly have no idea what this debt is, you need to respond to the summons, show up in court, demand validation of the debt (including the original signed contract) during the discovery process.

You could also counter sue for your troubles.

Defiantly not going to ignore it, but I am calling the attorneys office when i get off work and see if they can't mail me proof of a signed contract. What if It turns out to be something that I did sign are they able to take anything from me. I'm living pay check to pay check as it is. I'm just freaking out right now bc I have no clue what this could be.

You need to request validation in writing, not over the phone.

If they win in court, they can levy your bank account, put liens on your property and/or garnish your wages, depending on your state's laws.

HSBC issues several store credit cards plus they own Orchard Bank.

It is too late now to DV...it wont stop the court proceedings. You can request proof in the discovery stage.

Have you checked your credit report???

DV?? When is the discovery stage? So should I or should I not write to them and ask for proof of a signed contract?

DV = debt validation. It is too late to request that as they have already served you. HSBC runs many store cards as well as Household Bank, Orchard Bank as mentioned. Many people who have the household bank/orchard bank cards do not realize it is even an HSBC product. Discovery phase is referring to when you have your court date.

I went to court denied that I owed the debt since I dont know what it's from and HSBC Lawyer is going to find proof of a valid debt and mail it to me. I just don't understand how they are trying to get me for this. It does show up on my credit report, but it shows a $0 balance

HSBC was bought out by Key Bank, FYI.

It shows up as a zero balance because they sold it to someone else!!

You never did answer whether you might have had another HSBC product or credit card. You mentioned HSBC/Union Privilege...looked this up and it is for a Union Plus Credit Card...does that ring a bell???

http://www.unionpluscard.com/

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That's right. I'm sorry, I should have clarified. 37 branches were bought, all in NY.

HSBC's credit card operations are actually owned by capital one at this time. We don't service the cards yet though.