A collection agency has threatened to put a lean on my home if I don't pay the $3,800 that they claim I owe. The original balance of the debt was $1,000. Is there a way I can get out of paying the larger amount and avoid going to court?

You can try to reach a settlement, get your debts reviewed by a debt company like CCC perhaps and see if they can work out a payment plan for you.

And so what if they place a lien on your home?? It would just remain there till the house is sold by you or when you die and the estate takes care of it.

Now what you have to worry about is what they have not told you, if they get a judgement, they normally don't ever place a lien on a home, they tell you what they believe will scare you the most, in your case it is the home.


They can get an garnishment of your wages, atttach your bank accounts and things like that, this is done most of the time.

Next don't ever, ever talk to them on the phone, even if they say yes they agree to some repayment, they will then say, no we never said that, they lie, all the time, tell you that you will go to jail, get your kids taken away, what ever they can say to scare you into paying.

Refuse to talk to them on the phone, in writing only, offer them a settlement if possible, or a payment plan.

Fr Chuck is absolutely right.There are things this collection agency is not telling you, as was said wage garnishment or freezing bank accounts are their actions of choice since they can get more money faster after a judge finds in their favor.Any agreement has to be in writing for your protection and nothing can be done without going to court first,and unless you convince the judge they are in error they will get all kinds of interest and fees tack on the original debt.They can freeze your bank accounts without you knowing until you go try and get some money so protect your assets before this happens,see a credit counselor,but they charge you for their service.Good luck and post back!:cool: