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The Daily Insight Hub

What to do if you cant pay debt collector?

Author

Emma Miller

Updated on January 25, 2026

Tell the debt collector that you’d like to settle your debt and you can pay 10% (or whatever amount you decide to start with) and tell them the date you can make your payment. This could take several days. If they accept your offer, they may ask for your bank information. Don’t give it to them.

What happens if you are unable to pay debt?

If you stop making your required payments on general consumer debts (like a line of credit, overdraft or credit card), your creditors will generally charge you a fee for defaulting on (missing) payments and start reporting those defaults on your credit history.

What happens if you can’t pay a collection agency?

Creditors and collection agents are able to take you to court if you don’t pay your debts. If they can obtain a judgment against you in court, they are then able to garnish your wages or freeze your bank account.

How can I reduce the amount I owe to collection agency?

Here’s how to negotiate with debt collectors:

  1. Verify that it’s your debt.
  2. Understand your rights.
  3. Consider the kind of debt you owe.
  4. Consider hardship programs.
  5. Offer a lump sum.
  6. Mention bankruptcy.
  7. Speak calmly and logically.
  8. Be mindful of the statute of limitations.

What happens when a debt is in collections?

You can expect constant phone calls and letters from debt collectors until you pay up. Once a debt is in collections, paying the original creditor may no longer be an option. You’ll have to work out a payment with the collection agency.

What happens if you don’t pay a collection agency?

And in some cases, even if they agree to a payment plan, they may change the agreement later or file a lawsuit for the remaining amount owed. When entering into a payment agreement with a collection agency, make sure you get everything signed and in writing. What Happens If You Don’t Pay a Collection Agency?

Is it better to pay a debt collector or not?

It’s worth reviewing your credit report periodically for any account collections that might not really belong to you, but if the collection is legitimately yours, it’s typically better to pay it and be done with it. A debt collector’s job is to get you to pay your debt, and they don’t make a profit unless they collect on the debt you owe.

How to deal with debt you can’t pay?

There are several different ways consumers can deal with debt they are having difficulty paying. They can offer a one-time payment to write off the debt, they can defer making payments for a specific time period and they can ask that the debt be forgiven .