- 1). Request documents verifying the debt and the amount of the debt. Credit card companies are required by federal law to verify that a customer actually owes a debt. Request that the company check your personal information against the original credit card application and original credit card agreement. If the company does not have the information needed to verify the debt (or if they have the wrong person's information), you can argue you are not responsible for the debt.
- 2). Do online research or call the clerk of court's office at your county courthouse to check if the statute of limitation on suing for unpaid credit cards in your state has already lapsed. Each state has its own statute of limitation for filing lawsuits. For example, the limit is usually between 4 and 6 years after the last payment on the debt in most states. If the statue of limitation has passed, send the credit card company a letter notifying them of the lapse and informing them you will use it as a defense in court for why any lawsuit to collect the debt is illegal.
- 3). Make payments, even if they fall below your minimum payment due or are late. Show this gesture of good faith if you are not disputing the amount owed. Call your creditor and inform them of why you have fallen behind and request a payment plan or other assistance to bring the account current again.
- 4). Request a settlement if you cannot afford to pay the full balance due and can prove financial hardship, such as unemployment. Respond to every correspondence sent to you from the credit card company to show that you wish to take responsibility for the debt. Mail your response letters certified and keep copies of them for future reference.
- 5). Negotiate until you reach a settlement. Make sure you send each of your offers in writing. Include a statement that you would happily pay the debt in full if your situation allowed you to do so. Do not agree to pay a settlement unless the terms are put into writing first.
- 6). Request a "paid in full" notice once a settlement is reached and keep it for your records. If a collector attempts to collect the debt or if a lawsuit is threatened, provide the document as proof the action has no validity.
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