Today I got a phone call from my mother saying that a sheriff knocked on the door asking for me because I am being sued by a credit card company. She called me scared because she asked the sheriff for a number that I can contact him at and he said that he can't disclaim any information and that they will just look for me. I am in debt by maybe $10,000. I had left my old job and had a hard time looking for a job so the only way of paying my bills was with the credit cards I had. I was planning on paying those bills slowly by the beginning of Jan. 2009. I did want to make small payments but they either wanted the full amount or if not half and to be honest I could not pay half. I don't want to go to court because I'm afraid something awful might happen. What should I do?

A real sheriff would have given a #
The credit card companies are resorting to all kind of tricks to scare people. The past year or two they were calling claiming they were attorneys, sending letters claiming you had a court date and usually that you missed it and therefore lost.
Watch for something valid that has a court date and time.
If you do get a legitimate court date and time make sure you go because usually they will settle a fair deal with you. If you don't they will want all the fees and everything you owe.
You might want to find a reputable company that will help you work with them. I know there is one in my area that advertises "What credit card companies don't want you to know''.