{"id":16072,"date":"2023-12-01T14:45:06","date_gmt":"2023-12-01T20:45:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/?p=16072"},"modified":"2025-06-06T10:37:52","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T16:37:52","slug":"what-happens-if-you-dont-pay-collection-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/finance\/what-happens-if-you-dont-pay-collection-agency.html","title":{"rendered":"What happens if you don\u2019t pay a collection agency?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"570\" height=\"190\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/women-answering-phone.jpg\" alt=\"Woman on the phone.\" class=\"wp-image-16073\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-fd81aaa248fb7c34c5d5351341420f6b\" style=\"background-color:#00204f\">Ignoring a collection agency can negatively impact your credit, cause your debt to accrue interest and potentially result in a lawsuit. It\u2019s ultimately better to pay or dispute a debt than avoid debt collection agencies altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice. <\/em><a aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/disclaimer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>See Lexington Law\u2019s editorial disclosure for more information.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While it may be tempting to simply ignore debt collectors, that is generally a poor long-term strategy. Several potential consequences of not paying a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/life-events\/your-guide-to-debt-collection.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">collection agency<\/a> include negative changes to your credit, continuing interest charges and even lawsuits. Even if you can\u2019t pay the debt in full, it\u2019s often best to work with the collection agency to establish a payment plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Collection agencies are unlikely to give up on a debt, especially if you owe a substantial amount. The stress of having a debt sent to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/credit-repair\/collections\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">collections<\/a> can be tremendous, but waiting out a collection agency and hoping the problem goes away isn\u2019t a viable option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read on to learn more about four possible consequences of not paying your debt\u2014and at the end of the article, we\u2019ll offer some strategies for dealing with debt collectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-interest-charges\"><a><\/a>1. Interest charges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even after your debt goes to collections, interest charges can continue to accrue. According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/education\/fair-debt-collection-practices-act\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fair Debt Collection Practices Act<\/a> (FDCPA), the collection agency can also charge any fees or interest rates outlined in your original contract\u2014like the interest rate of a loan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The collection agency cannot raise your interest rate or add new fees, but it may choose to continue generating interest or charge late fees if they were part of the original agreement. That means ignoring the debt collector doesn\u2019t just fail to make your debt go away\u2014in fact, the amount you owe may continue to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-credit-effects\"><a><\/a>2. Credit effects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Having an account sent to collections will lead to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/education\/derogatory-marks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">derogatory mark<\/a> on your credit report. Unfortunately, the mark will likely stay on your credit report for up to seven years even if you pay off your debt with the collection agency. It\u2019s also possible that paying off your collection account may not <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/credit-repair\/does-paying-collections-improve-score\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">improve your credit<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nevertheless, paying off a collection account could help your credit situation in several ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The account will be shown as \u201cpaid in full\u201d or \u201csettled.\u201d When future creditors look at your report, a collection account that was paid in full sends a more positive signal than an unpaid debt.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Updated scoring models, like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/credit-101\/fico-score-10.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FICO\u00ae Score 10 Suite<\/a>, may regard paid collection accounts differently. Changes to the way FICO calculates credit scores may mean that collection accounts paid in full won\u2019t affect your credit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sticking to a payment plan could help establish good credit habits. As you work to pay off your debts, you\u2019ll establish positive credit behaviors and work to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/credit-repair\/fix-credit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fix your credit<\/a> over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>While you may not see an immediate improvement to your credit after paying off a collection account, it\u2019s an excellent first step toward creating a more positive credit history for yourself. Over time, the impact of a collection account on your credit will start to decrease, which means that your new credit habits\u2014paying on time each month and keeping utilization low, for instance\u2014will start to have a strong effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1048\" height=\"1250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/image-5.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20045\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/image-5.png 1048w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/image-5-768x916.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-collector-communications\"><a><\/a>3. Collector communications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Collection agencies will continue to try to reach out to you unless you pay your debt, particularly if you owe a significant amount. Collectors can contact you by phone, mail, fax, or email from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Additionally, they are allowed to contact your friends and family to try to locate you\u2014so simply avoiding their phone calls is not a viable strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, it\u2019s important to know that collection agencies can continue to reach out to you as long as it is still within the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/negative-items\/statute-of-limitations-on-debt-collection-by-state.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">statute of limitations<\/a>. The statute of limitations, or how long your debt is considered valid, varies based on the type of debt and your state. That said, since the longest statute of limitations can be upward of 10 years, some collectors could call you long after the seven-year mark, which is when the collection account clears from your credit report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to federal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/finance\/debt-collection-laws.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">debt collection laws<\/a>, you do have the right to request in writing that agencies stop contacting you. If they don\u2019t stop contacting you, the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/finance\/consumer-credit-protection-act.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Consumer Credit Protection Act<\/a> lets you file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, asking a collection agency to stop contacting you doesn\u2019t mean the debt goes away. If you continue to ignore the debt, the collection agency may file a lawsuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-lawsuits\"><a><\/a>4. Lawsuits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If a collection agency intends to get paid for your debt, it may decide to initiate a lawsuit against you. After the collection agency files the lawsuit with the state, you\u2019ll receive a copy and a summons to appear in court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll want to consult with an attorney immediately, as failing to appear in court will mean you lose by default. In that case, the judge could award the collection agency the ability to do the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Place a lien on your property, which can be a mark on your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/negative-items\/how-will-you-be-affected-by-new-reporting-standards-of-public-records-on-your-credit-reports.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">public record<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/negative-items\/how-long-before-a-creditor-can-garnish-wages.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Garnish your wages<\/a>, which means your employer may give part of your paycheck to the collection agency before you receive it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Freeze some or all of the funds in your bank accounts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do receive a court summons, work with a qualified lawyer to help build a case, which will hopefully lead to a settlement with the collection agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-can-bankruptcy-help-me-deal-with-a-debt-collection-agency\"><a><\/a>Can bankruptcy help me deal with a debt collection agency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/finance\/what-is-bankruptcy.html#what-are-the-different-types-of-bankruptcy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bankruptcy<\/a> is a legal process that can help businesses and individuals eliminate their debts and stave off collection agencies. There are multiple types of bankruptcy plans (called Chapters) that each come with several drawbacks. Bankruptcy can also drastically hurt your credit and stay on your report for 10 years, so it\u2019s ultimately considered a last resort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-chapter-7-bankruptcy\"><a><\/a>Chapter 7 bankruptcy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Credit card debts, medical bills and personal loans can all be eliminated by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/life-events\/chapter-7-bankruptcy.html#h-how-does-bankruptcy-chapter-7-work\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chapter 7 bankruptcy<\/a>. This process usually occurs over three to four months and is overseen by a federal bankruptcy court. The court then issues an automatic stay and assigns a trustee to your case.<br><br>The trustee will then appraise your possessions and liquidate assets to help reduce your debt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-chapter-13-bankruptcy\"><a><\/a>Chapter 13 bankruptcy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/life-events\/chapter-13-bankruptcy.html#h-what-is-chapter-13-bankruptcy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chapter 13 bankruptcy<\/a> covers many of the same debts covered by Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Here, filers work with bankruptcy courts and attorneys to create a repayment plan. After three to five years of routine payments, a filer\u2019s bankruptcy will eventually be discharged. Chapter 13 doesn\u2019t seek to liquidate your assets, so you ideally won\u2019t have to sell your valuables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s possible to avoid filing for bankruptcy altogether, which requires making a plan to deal with debt collectors rather than ignoring them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-strategies-to-deal-with-debt-collectors\"><a><\/a>Strategies to deal with debt collectors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although it can be overwhelming to receive communication from a debt collector, you can formulate a plan to deal with debt collectors to improve your finances. With the right approach, you\u2019ll be able to slowly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/credit-repair\/fix-credit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fix your credit<\/a> and get back on track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1100\" height=\"785\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/image-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20044\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/image-4.png 1100w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/image-4-768x548.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Use the following approach to begin dealing with the collection agency:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Set up a payment plan with the debt collector, or see if you can reach a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/credit-repair\/debt-settlement\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">debt settlement<\/a> for a smaller amount of money.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Start practicing good financial habits by keeping your credit utilization low, making payments every month and only spending what you can afford. Members of the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/credit-101\/habits-800-club-path-perfect-credit.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">800 club<\/a>,\u201d Americans with credit scores of 800 or higher, often have great financial habits that you can take inspiration from.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If the debt is not yours or has already been paid, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/credit-repair\/credit-disputes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">start the dispute<\/a> process and potentially get the collection mark removed from your credit report.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time, you can rebuild your credit and pay your debts. However, if the debt is illegitimate or misreported, you should immediately challenge it. To help with that process, consider working with the credit repair consultants at Lexington Law Firm, who can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/credit-repair-services\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">assist with credit repair<\/a> and address negative items on your credit report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lexingtonlaw.com\/disclaimer\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>Note:<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em> Articles have only been reviewed by the indicated attorney, not written by them. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice; instead, it is for general informational purposes only. Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client or fiduciary relationship between the reader, user, or browser and website owner, authors, reviewers, contributors, contributing firms, or their respective agents or employers.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ignoring a collection agency may create many problems for you down the road. Here, we\u2019ll explore a few ways to deal with collection agencies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":63,"featured_media":16073,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[534],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v18.1 (Yoast SEO v18.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What happens if you don\u2019t pay a collection agency?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Ignoring a collection agency may create many problems for you down the road. Here, we\u2019ll explore a few ways to deal with collection agencies.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/finance\/what-happens-if-you-dont-pay-collection-agency.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What happens if you don\u2019t pay a collection agency?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Ignoring a collection agency may create many problems for you down the road. 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