How to Beat Suttell and Hammer in Court

January 9, 2024

How to Beat Suttell and Hammer in Court

Sued for a debt by Suttell and Hammer Services? This guide is for you. Use ZumaZip.com to respond in 15 minutes.

If you’re facing a lawsuit from Suttell and Hammer over an alleged delinquent debt, it’s crucial not to lose hope. It’s equally important not to automatically accept the allegations outlined in Suttell and Hammer’s Complaint as indisputable fact. Remember, you have legal rights and protections when confronted with a collections lawsuit. There are affirmative defenses available that can be leveraged to potentially prevail against the debt collector in court.

Who is Suttell and Hammer and Why are They Suing Me?

If you’ve been served with a lawsuit by a representative from Suttell and Hammer, you might be wondering, “Who is Suttell and Hammer?” Simply put, they’re a law firm specializing in representing prominent financial institutions. Their client roster includes major banks such as Discover and Bank of America.

Suttell and Hammer typically intervene when a borrower encounters difficulties repaying various forms of credit, including credit cards, auto loans, and mortgages. In such instances, the bank engages the services of Suttell and Hammer to pursue legal action by filing a collections lawsuit against the borrower.

Multiple Complaints Filed Against Suttell and Hammer

Suttell and Hammer’s track record in collecting on delinquent debts doesn’t inspire confidence, as evidenced by numerous consumer complaints lodged against the law firm. Several individuals have registered their grievances with both the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). These complaints shed light on the challenges and frustrations experienced by consumers dealing with Suttell and Hammer’s debt collection practices.

Be Proactive and Respond to the Collections Lawsuit

If you find yourself facing a lawsuit from Suttell and Hammer, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed, especially when going up against a sizable law firm. However, there’s no need to panic. By taking proactive steps and following some straightforward guidelines to respond to the collections lawsuit, you may have a good chance of negotiating an out-of-court settlement or even prevailing in court. ZumaZip is here to provide assistance and support throughout this process.

When served with a Summons and Complaint, it’s crucial to not only acknowledge the lawsuit but also to promptly file your response with the court.

Responding to the Complaint sets you apart from the majority of consumers sued by a debt collection company. One of the most common errors made by consumers in this situation is failing to respond to the Summons and Complaint. Whether you acknowledge the debt or believe you are being wrongfully sued, submitting a response (referred to as an “Answer”) enables you to address significant deficiencies in the Complaint and assert your position.

ZumaZip makes it simple to respond the right way.

Failing to Respond to the Complaint Typically Means a Default Judgment Against You

One of the key reasons why filing an Answer to the Complaint is so important is because failing to do so could enable Suttell and Hammer to obtain a default judgment against you. If the Court enters a default judgement against you, the situation will only get worse. Why? Because a default judgment means that Suttell and Hammer will be empowered to take the following actions:

Garnish your wages;
Take money from your bank account;
Seize your personal property; and
Collect attorney’s fees and court costs.

Make Suttell and Hammer Prove that They Filed the Lawsuit Within the Statute of Limitations

Many debt collectors,including Suttell and Hammer, assume that most consumers will not actually respond to their lawsuit. As a result, many debt collectors operate a volume practice where they file hundreds, or even thousands, of debt collection lawsuits. Given the significant number of lawsuits that are filed, there are many instances when the debt collection company neglects to take the time to confirm whether they can legally sue you for the debt. Bear in mind that if the applicable statute of limitations expired, the debt collector is barred from suing you on the debt. In most states, a debt collector only has a finite amount of time to sue you for an alleged delinquent debt.

If it turns out that the statute of limitations expired, you can raise it as an affirmative defense that could enable you to file a motion to dismiss the lawsuit entirely.

ZumaZip helps you make the right defense the right way.

To learn more about how to effectively file a counterclaim, use the tools and resources available through ZumaZip.

Takeaways for What To Do When Sued by Suttell and Hammer

Here is what you need to do if you receive a debt collection notice or debt collection lawsuit from Suttell and Hammer:

If you do not recognize or have no idea why you are being pursued for the outstanding debt, be sure to file a formal dispute with the three major credit bureaus (i.e. Transunion, Equifax, and Experian).
Take note of any phone calls made before 8:00 A.M. or after 9:00 P.M, any phone calls made to your place of work, and any use of vulgar or inappropriate language.
Make sure to file your Answer to the Summons and Complaint in a timely manner.
In your Answer, make sure to raise affirmative defenses like the statute of limitations and demanding that the debt collection company provide proof of the specific amount owed.
Consider filing a counterclaim for any violations committed by Suttell and Hammer of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

What is ZumaZip?

ZumaZip is a convenient solution designed to streamline your response to a debt collection lawsuit. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect when you use ZumaZip:

Firstly, you’ll access our user-friendly web application, which guides you through the process step by step. You’ll be prompted to answer a series of questions related to your specific situation. Once you’ve completed the questionnaire, you have the option to either print out the finalized forms and mail them to the appropriate courts yourself, or you can opt to utilize ZumaZip’s services to file them on your behalf. Additionally, if you choose this option, an attorney will review your document for added peace of mind.

If you’re seeking guidance on how to effectively respond to a debt collection lawsuit, ZumaZip can provide the assistance you need. Feel free to explore our FAQs for more information on what ZumaZip has to offer.

What if I haven’t been sued yet?

If you’ve only received a collections notice, but not a lawsuit, the best way to respond is with a Debt Validation Letter. When a debt collector contacts you in any way, whether it’s by phone or mail, you can respond by formally requesting a debt validation with a Debt Validation Letter . This letter notifies the collector that you dispute the debt and forces them to provide proof you owe the debt. They can’t call you or continue collecting until they provide validation of the debt. This flowchart shows how you can use a Debt Validation Letter to win.

Get started with a Debt Validation Letter here.

How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here’s a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

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