Can a debt collector be personally sued?
Emma Miller
Updated on January 24, 2026
If you’re sued by a debt collector, you should respond to the lawsuit. You can respond personally or through an attorney, but you must do so by the date specified in the court papers. All debt collectors must follow the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This can include lawyers who collect rent for landlords.
What happens when you are sued by a creditor?
The complaint will say why the creditor is suing you and what it wants. Typically, that’s the money you owe plus interest, and maybe attorney fees and court costs. With a default judgment the creditor may be able to: Garnish your wages.
Can I settle a debt after a lawsuit has been filed?
When it comes to debt relief, you have options. You can still resolve a debt after a lawsuit has been filed. Many creditors will let you resolve your debt at any time, whether by debt settlement, payment in full, or by another option for debt resolution, and even after they have filed a lawsuit.
Can you sue while being sued?
One must have a valid legal theory when suing another party, and simply being angry over a lawsuit does not qualify. Also, one cannot generally sue someone for conduct that occurs as part of a lawsuit. When one sues the person who is suing them in the same lawsuit, this is usually referred to as a counterclaim.
How to answer a summons and win a credit card lawsuit?
The examples and personal stories provided will help immensely in walking a consumer through each step of the litigation phase and it will definitely increase awareness of the best ways to answer a court summons and win a credit card lawsuit. Click here to see how I answered my summons myself in under an hour!
Where do I file an answer to a civil court summons?
Take your answer to the clerk’s office. You must file your answer with the clerk of the same court in which the plaintiff filed the lawsuit against you. If you’ve already served the plaintiff with a copy of your answer, you can attach your certificate of service to your answer when you file it with the clerk.
What does a civil court summons and complaint mean?
There are 51 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. If you are served with a summons and complaint, it means an individual or company is suing you in civil court. The summons notifies you that you are being sued, while the complaint provides details regarding who is suing you and why. [1]
What happens if you ignore a civil summons?
Ignoring the summons sets you up for a rash of other issues, including wage garnishment and bank account levies and property liens. If you fail to answer by ignoring the response, a verdict can be entered against you. Ignoring a lawsuit will not protect you from the negative outcomes you can face in court!