CCS Debt Defense

CCS Offices is a third-party debt collection company. If they have been contacting you, they are likely trying to recover a debt on a collection account they bought from a creditor. Before paying anything, it is important to force CCS Offices to validate the debt. If they do validate the debt but you cannot afford to repay it, you can try to negotiate a debt settlement. If CCS Offices has filed a lawsuit against you, it is also critical that you respond to the legal action. Below, one of our Fort Lauderdale debt defense lawyers explains further.

Why is CCS Calling Me?

CCS, also known as CCS Offices and Credit Collection Services, might have purchased your debt if you did not pay a personal loan, credit card, medical bill, or utility bill. CCS Offices may have purchased your original debt from the original creditor for pennies on the dollar. If they can recover the debt, they then get to keep it as their profit. If CCS is calling you, it is probably to tell you that they have taken over the collection of the debt and that it is no longer payable to the original creditor.

Do I Have to Repay the Debt?

Whether or not you have to repay CCS Offices depends on the facts of your case. To know whether you have to repay the debt, you should ask yourself the four following questions:

• Has CCS validated information regarding the debt, including the account number, name, and the amount owed?
• Was the validation information correct?
• Have you said the debt belongs to you, essentially claiming the debt as your own?
• Is the debt undisputed?

If you answered yes to the above questions, you likely should start preparing a plan to repay the debt. Still, you may not be responsible for paying all of the debt. If you cannot afford to repay the entire amount, you may be able to negotiate a debt settlement agreement.

Negotiating a Debt Settlement with CCS

You may be surprised to learn that it is possible to negotiate with CCS so you pay a lower amount. CCS is likely going to be willing to negotiate with you because they have purchased the debt for much less than what it is worth. The company will still make a profit even if you do not repay the entire debt and so, they are happy to negotiate and receive a portion of the debt rather than nothing at all.

If you can negotiate a debt settlement, you can expect to pay anywhere between 40 and 60 percent of the original amount. Sometimes debt collection companies such as CCS make the first settlement offer, but you can also begin negotiations on your own.

You can start negotiations by making sure the debt is valid. Debt collectors are required by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to send you a debt validation letter before contacting you, or within five days after they have first contacted you. If CCS has not sent you a validation letter, you must ask for one. Debt validation letters should include certain information including:

• The account number
• Your name, address, and contact information
• The name and contact information for CCS
• The amount of the debt owed, the amount of payments made, fees, and interest

If the information is inaccurate, it is possible to dispute the debt. However, this must be done within 30 days after you have received the letter. You can also ask for a debt verification letter. If the information is correct, you can then determine how much you can pay.

Determining how much you can pay requires you to create a budget while also considering any major life events coming up that may impact your finances. This can be overwhelming, but you can use the budget worksheet on the CFPB website to make it easier. After determining how much you can repay, you should then determine if you can make a lump sum payment or if you need to pay in installments.

What to Do if You Are Sued by CCS

It is natural to panic after finding out CCS is suing you, but it is important not to. Responding to a lawsuit is easier than most people think but if you do not take this important step, it will only make matters worse.

When served with notice of the lawsuit, it is important to read the summons and complaint carefully. The complaint will accompany the summons. The complaint outlines the claims CCS is asserting against you. The complaint will also outline what CCS is pursuing, which is the debt. Within the complaint, this is usually known as damages.

After reviewing the summons and complaint, you should then draft your answer. A Fort Lauderdale debt defense lawyer can prepare your answer and raise defenses that can help in your case. A lawyer can also file your answer with the court so it can be served to CCS.

It is also important to note that even if your case does go to court, you can still negotiate a settlement at any point until a verdict is made in your case. It is also helpful to work with a lawyer during negotiations. While most people are not familiar with how negotiations work, lawyers are very skilled negotiators and can obtain a settlement amount that is more affordable for you to pay.

Call Our Debt Defense Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale for Help with Your Case

Receiving notice that CCS is trying to recover debt or worse, has filed a lawsuit against you, is very stressful. Your first step should be contacting a Fort Lauderdale debt defense lawyer. At Loan Lawyers, our experienced attorneys can successfully negotiate a deal with CCS, or provide strong representation in court. Call us now at (954) 523-4357 or fill out our online form to schedule a free review of your case and to learn more about how we can help with your case.