Who is Synchrony Bank? How to Beat Them in Court ZumaZip.com

April 29, 2024

Who is Synchrony Bank? How to Beat Them in Court

Receiving a lawsuit notice from Synchrony Bank can be intimidating, but ignoring it won’t make it disappear. In fact, failing to respond could lead to serious consequences for your financial well-being. Synchrony Bank is known for aggressive debt collection tactics, so it’s crucial to take action promptly.

If you neglect to respond to the certified letter, Synchrony Bank may obtain a default judgment against you. This judgment grants them the authority to garnish your wages or seize funds from your bank accounts. To avoid these repercussions, it’s essential to respond to the lawsuit in a timely manner.

ZumaZip.com can assist you in crafting a response to the lawsuit quickly and efficiently, giving you the best chance of protecting your rights and financial interests. Don’t delay—take proactive steps to address the lawsuit and safeguard your future.

Facing a lawsuit from Synchrony Bank can be daunting, but it’s important to remember that you have options and rights. By understanding Synchrony Bank’s debt collection tactics and knowing how to respond effectively, you can increase your chances of success in court.

In this article, we’ll delve into Synchrony Bank’s strategies for collecting credit card debt and explore strategies for fighting back against a lawsuit they may have initiated. If you have any questions or need guidance on how to respond to a Synchrony Bank lawsuit, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at ZumaZip.com. We’re dedicated to assisting individuals in dealing with debt collectors and navigating the legal process.

Respond to a debt collection lawsuit in minutes with ZumaZip.com.

Who is Synchrony Bank?

Synchrony Bank provides credit card services for retail stores and online shopping sites. For example, when you apply for a store credit card from Old Navy, DICK’S Sporting Goods, or Guitar Center, you will get a Synchrony Bank credit card with those trade names on the card. The largest online retailer, Amazon, also offers Synchrony Bank credit cards.

So, where did Synchrony Bank come from? Their history is rooted in General Electric (GE). In early 2000, GE reached into the capital, lending, and credit card world with a series of financial companies called GE Capital Retail Bank. However, by 2014, GE Capital Retail had to settle claims for millions of dollars involving illegal credit card practices, including claims filed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the U.S. Justice Department.

Since GE Capital Retail Bank’s name was tainted by its unscrupulous activities, it re-branded by changing its name to Synchrony Bank.

Currently, Synchrony Bank is a subsidiary of a publicly-traded company named Synchrony Financial. It is now one of the largest providers of private-label credit cards in the United States. As mentioned earlier, Synchrony Bank works with retailers to support their credit card programs.

Below is an exhaustive list of the credit cards issued by Synchrony Bank as of 2022:

ABT Credit Card
Adairs Credit Card
Adorama Credit Card
AEO Inc. Credit Card Account
AEO Inc. Visa Card
Amazon.com Store Card
Amazon Secured Card and Amazon Prime Secured Card
American Car Care Centers Credit Card
American Signature Credit Card
Americas Tires Credit Card
AMI Credit Card Account
Appliance Factory Outlet Credit Card
ASE Synchrony Car Care Credit Card
Ashley Credit Card
At Home Insider Perks Credit Card
At Home Insider Perks MasterCard
Bailey Banks Biddle Credit Card
Bargain Outlet Credit Card
Belk Rewards Card
Belk Rewards MasterCard
BERNINA Credit Card
B&H Payboo Credit Card
Big Sandy Superstore Credit Card
Bjorns Credit Card
Blains Credit Card
Blish Mize Credit Card
BP Credit Card
BP Visa Credit Card
BP Visa Signature Card
Brakes Plus Credit Card
BransMart USA Credit Card
Briggs and Straton Credit Card
Bryant Credit Card
Cabinets to Go Credit Card
CareCredit Credit Card
CareCredit Mastercard
Carpet Barn Credit Card
Carpeteeria Credit Card
Carpet Mill Outlet Credit Card
Carpet One Credit Card
Carstar Credit Card
Carvin Guitars Credit Card
Cathay Pacific Visa Card Account
Cathay Pacific Visa Signature Account
CITGO Rewards Card Account
Conns Credit Card
Continental Tire Credit Card
Cooper Mastercraft Credit Card
Country Home Products Credit Card
Crate and Barrel CB2 Credit Card
Crate and Barrel CB2 Mastercard
Crutchfield Credit Card
Diamonds on Web Credit Card
Discount Tire Credit Card
Drexel Credit Card
Dr. Power Credit Card
eBay Mastercard
EC Barton Credit Card
Ethan Allen Credit Card
EX Eng Credit Card
Express Oil Credit Card
Family Farm and Home Credit Card
Fanatics Credit Card
Ferguson Credit Card
Find Truck Services Credit Card
Fleet Rewards Credit Card
Fleet Rewards Visa Card
Flooring America Credit Card
Four Mine Credit Card
Fred Meyer Littman Credit Card
Furniture Row Credit Card
Furniture World IN Credit Card
Furniture World PA Credit Card
Gap Inc. Credit Card
Gap Inc. Visa Card
GECAF Credit Card
Generac Credit Card
Goedekers Credit Card
Google Store Credit Card
Grand Credit Card
Guitar Center Account
Hannoush Jewelers Credit Card
Harbor Freight Tools Account
Havertys Credit Card
Haynes Credit Card
Horizon Services Credit Card
House Hasson Credit Card
HSN Card Account
Hudsons Credit Card
Husqvarna Credit Card
International Diamonds Center Credit Card
Invicta Stores Center Credit Card
Jabaras Credit Card
JCPenney Credit Card
JCPenney Mastercard
Jiffy Lube Credit Card
Johnny Janosik Credit Card
JTV Credit Card
Kauffman Tire Credit Card
La-Z-Boy Credit Card
Lenovo Credit Card
Lenox Credit Card
LensCrafters Credit Card
L Fish Credit Card
Lowe’s Advantage Credit Card
Lumber Liquidators Credit Card
Luxury Virgin Islands Credit Card
Maaco Credit Card
Mathis Credit Card
Mattress Discounters Credit Card
Mattress Firm Credit Card
Mavis Tired Credit Card
McCoys Credit Card
Meineke Credit Card
Merlins Credit Card
Metro Mattress Credit Card
Midas Credit Card
Mitsubishi Credit Card
Mobile Productivity Credit Card
Mohawk Credit Card
Moran Industries Credit Card
Morris Credit Card
My Home Renovations Credit Card
MyWalgreens Credit Card
MyWalgreens Mastercard
Namm Account
Nautilus Credit Card
NCI Brakes Credit Card
Newegg Credit Card
Nissan Visa Card
Nissa Visa Signature Card
Olejo Credit Card
Onecall Credit Card
OneTravel or CheapOAir Credit Card
OneTravel or CheapOAir Visa Card
One Travel or CheapOAir Visa Signature
P66-Conoco-76-P66 Aviation Credit Card
Payne Credit Card
PayPal Cashback Mastercard
PayPal Credit Account
PayPal Extras MasterCard
PC Richard & Son Credit Card
Pearl Credit Card
Pep Boys Credit Card
Phillips 66 Commercial Credit Card
Pieratts Credit Card
Pierce Floording Credit Card
Preferred Jewelers Credit Card
QVC Credit Card
Rakuten Visa Platinum Credit Card
Rakuten Visa Signature Credit Card
Reeds Jewelers Credit Card
Regency Credit Card
Rooms to Go Credit Card
Sam Ash Account
Sam Kinnarids Credit Card
Sam’s Club Credit Card
Sam’s Club Mastercard
ScoreRewards Credit Card
ScoreRewards Mastercard
SEE Eyeware Credit Card
Service Experts Credit Card
Sewing Machines Credit Card
SGI Credit Card
Shaw Floors Credit Card
Sheelys Credit Card
ShopHQ Credit Card
Sleep County Credit Card
Sleep Experts Credit Card
Sleep Number Credit Card
Sony Store Credit Card
Specialized Bicycles Credit Card
Sport Retail Credit Card
Star Lumber Credit Card
Store 5a Credit Card
Summit Racing Credit Card
Sunglass Hut Credit Card
Sutherlands Account
Sweetwater Sound Account
Synchrony Care Care Credit Card
Synchrony Home Credit Card
Synchrony Plus World Mastercard
Synchrony Preferred Mastercard
Synchrony Premier World Mastercard
System Payers Credit Card
Tappers Credit Card
Techron Advantage Credit Card
Techron Advantage Visa Credit Card
The Container Store Account
The Number Credit Card
Thomasville Credit Card
Tire Discounters Credit Card
Tires Pros Credit Card
Tirerama Credit Card
Tivol Credit Card
TJX Rewards Credit Card
TJX Rewards Platinum Mastercard
Town Fair Tires Credit Card
Truckers Preferred Synchrony Car Care Credit Card
United Hardware Home Hardware Account
Value City Credit Card
Varsity Dealers Credit Card
Venmo Visa Credit Card
Venmo Visa Signature Card
Verizon Visa Account
Verizon Visa Signature Account
Vintage King Credit Card
Virginia Furniture Credit Card
Westrich Credit Card
Westrick Credit Card
WG&R Furniture Credit Card
Worlds of Floors Credit Card
Yamaha Music Credit Card
York Credit Card
Zuliliy Credit Card

When you receive an email, voicemail, or call from Synchrony Bank, ask for more information about the debt in question. It could be a genuine debt from these companies. Choosing to ignore their attempts to collect can, and does, result in Synchrony filing a lawsuit.

Access your Synchrony card agreements to get more details on your specific contract with Synchrony Financial.

Let’s discuss this further.

Synchrony Bank has bad reviews and receives many complaints

If you feel like you’ve been harassed or treated unfairly by Synchrony, you’re not alone.

As of 2022, Synchrony Financial has received more than 7,000 complaints on its Better Business Bureau profile in the most recent three-year period. Even worse, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has reported nearly 16,500 complaints against Synchrony in the last ten years.

Complaints raised against Synchrony Bank debt collection range from unfair late fees charges, contacting consumers for a debt they already cleared, refusing to remove a false debt from the credit report, and speaking to unprofessional agents. Overall, Synchrony Bank is known for using sketchy debt collection tactics, increasing fees and interest, and being difficult to reach and work with.

Let’s take a look at a real complaint against Synchrony from the CFPB complaint database (edited for clarity):

“I recently found out that Synchrony Bank filed a lawsuit against me in Virginia where I do not live. I was not served to appear in court and I knew nothing about the court dates. I do not live in Virginia. In addition, the debt they are trying to collect is outside of the statute of limitations in North Carolina where I live which is 3 years. I have disputed the information but they ignore my demands for proper handling of my account.”

As you can see from the example above, Synchrony Bank sues for credit card debt relentlessly. If you find yourself in the middle of a lawsuit against Synchrony, you can fight back and win. Here’s how.

Does Synchrony Bank sue for credit card debt?

Yes, Synchrony Bank sues for credit card debt. If you’ve opened a line of credit and defaulted on your payments with any of the businesses listed above, there is a good chance that Synchrony Bank collections will start contacting you. If no payment is made to collections, you’ll probably be taken to court.

If Synchrony is suing you, the first step is to respond to the lawsuit with an Answer. This response lets Synchrony Bank know that you are willing to proceed with the legal process, but they have to prove you owe the debt.

It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed when facing a lawsuit from Synchrony Bank, especially if you’re unable to pay your Old Navy card invoices. However, ignoring the situation is not the best course of action. Responding to the lawsuit by filing an Answer is crucial, as it allows you to contest the debt and see if Synchrony Bank can provide sufficient evidence to prove its case.

Filing an Answer doesn’t automatically mean you’re admitting to owing the debt or committing to paying it. Instead, it’s a way to protect your rights and ensure that Synchrony Bank must prove the validity of the debt in court. By taking this step and responding to the lawsuit, you increase your chances of successfully defending yourself. ZumaZip.com can assist you in easily filing your Answer and navigating the legal process.

ZumaZip.com makes it simple to respond the right way.

How do I respond to a Synchrony Bank lawsuit?

When facing a credit card debt lawsuit and representing yourself in court, it’s essential to understand the legal requirements and deadlines for responding. Typically, you’ll have about 14–30 days (depending on your state) to file your Answer. With ZumaZip.com legal documents, you can handle your case without needing a lawyer.

When filing your Answer, you’ll have the opportunity to admit or deny all the allegations in the lawsuit and assert any affirmative defenses you may have. Therefore, the three main things to focus on when filing your Answer are:

Understanding the Allegations: Carefully review the allegations made against you in the lawsuit. You can admit those that are true and deny any that are inaccurate or untrue.
Asserting Affirmative Defenses: Identify any affirmative defenses you may have, such as the statute of limitations, lack of standing, or improper service of process. These defenses can strengthen your case and protect your rights.
Meeting the Deadline: Ensure that you file your Answer within the specified timeframe to avoid a default judgment being entered against you. Missing the deadline could severely impact your case and potentially lead to unfavorable outcomes.

By addressing these key elements when filing your Answer, you can effectively respond to the credit card debt lawsuit and protect your legal interests.

Those three steps might seem daunting because you may not have heard the term “affirmative defense” or “statute of limitations” before, but that is where you can easily get the help of ZumaZip.com.

ZumaZip.com makes it easy to respond to a debt collection lawsuit. ZumaZip.com is a step-by-step web app that will ask you all the necessary questions to complete your Answer to a lawsuit. Afterward, you can print the completed forms and mail the hard copies to the courts. You can also pay ZumaZip.com a small fee to have an attorney review the document and file it with the courts.

Check out this video for even more helpful tips that will help you win a debt collection lawsuit against Synchrony Bank:

What collection agency does Synchrony Bank use?

Reporting instances of bad business practices by Synchrony Bank collections to relevant authorities such as the FTC (Federal Trade Commission), CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau), and your state’s attorney general’s offices is crucial in addressing and preventing further misconduct. Despite being an in-house collections department, Synchrony Bank’s collections have faced numerous complaints, highlighting the importance of holding them accountable for their actions. By reporting such instances, you contribute to efforts aimed at protecting consumers and promoting fair business practices within the industry.

Do Synchrony Bank credit agreements have an arbitration clause?

Yes, most credit card issuers have a mandatory arbitration clause that allows consumers, like you, to force a debt lawsuit out of court and into arbitration. This credit card agreement is stipulated in each Synchrony Bank contract, which you can access on the CFPB website’s Synchrony credit card agreement database.

Credit card companies permit consumers to take disputes into a private panel, also known as arbitration, instead of proceeding to court. The reason given for this decision is to avoid lengthy court processes, but consumer advocates believe it is designed to protect credit card companies from wrongdoing.

A CFPB study on arbitration confirmed this position. They found that consumers lose more than they win in these private hearings. The process also lacks an appeal provision, and the companies are not required to enforce any consumer protection laws.

Filing a Motion to Compel Arbitration in your Synchrony lawsuit can indeed be a strategic move, especially if your credit card agreement includes an arbitration clause. By doing so, you essentially request the court to enforce the arbitration provision, which mandates that any disputes between you and Synchrony be resolved through arbitration rather than traditional litigation.

One advantage of arbitration is that it can be less time-consuming and costly compared to a court trial. Additionally, as you mentioned, creditors like Synchrony often bear the majority of the arbitration costs, making it a potentially more favorable option for them than continuing with the lawsuit.

However, it’s essential to carefully weigh the pros and cons of pursuing arbitration versus litigation in your specific situation. While compelling arbitration may lead Synchrony to reconsider pursuing the case, it’s also important to be prepared for potential outcomes and to understand the arbitration process thoroughly before proceeding. Consulting with a legal professional can help you make informed decisions and navigate the complexities of your case effectively.

Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration in minutes with ZumaZip.com

Synchrony Bank class-action lawsuit

It’s significant that Synchrony Bank has agreed to address the grievances raised by consumers and take responsibility for the issues highlighted in the class-action lawsuits. This acknowledgment and commitment to resolving the complaints demonstrate a willingness to rectify past mistakes and improve customer relations moving forward.

The involvement of regulatory bodies like the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) underscores the importance of consumer protection and ensuring that financial institutions adhere to fair and ethical practices. By taking action against Synchrony Bank collections based on consumer complaints, the FTC sends a clear message about the consequences of mistreating customers and violating regulations.

The compensation method outlined for consumers who participate in the class-action lawsuit reflects an effort to provide restitution for the damages and suffering experienced by affected individuals. This approach aims to ensure that consumers are fairly compensated for any harm caused by Synchrony Bank’s actions.

Overall, the progression of these class-action lawsuits and Synchrony Bank’s response highlight the importance of accountability, transparency, and consumer advocacy in the financial industry. It underscores the need for companies to prioritize customer satisfaction and uphold ethical standards in their business practices.

Since its inception in 2014, many consumers have sued Synchrony Bank, and a majority have won these class-action lawsuits. An example of a Synchrony Bank class-action lawsuit 2020 was from Gap Inc and Banana Republic credit card holder, who claimed that his reward points were unlawfully deleted after replacing his card. The plaintiff said they were misled by the unfair and deceptive marketing of the card company, and they would not have signed up for the card if they knew Gap would wipe out his reward points.

The successful outcome of the class-action lawsuit filed by California debtors against Synchrony Bank highlights the effectiveness of legal action in holding financial institutions accountable for their practices. The ruling ordering Synchrony Bank to pay $3.5 million in damages underscores the seriousness of the complaints raised by consumers regarding harassing calls from collections.

For individuals facing similar issues with Synchrony Bank collections, pursuing legal action in small claims courts can be a viable option to seek resolution and compensation. Small claims courts offer a streamlined and accessible process for resolving disputes involving limited monetary damages.

It’s important for individuals considering legal action in small claims courts against Synchrony Bank to ensure they have a strong case supported by evidence. This may include documentation of harassing calls, communication records, and any other relevant information to substantiate their claims.

While there are limitations on the amount of monetary compensation that can be awarded in small claims courts, pursuing legal recourse can still provide a means of holding Synchrony Bank accountable for any wrongdoing and seeking restitution for damages incurred.

Overall, the availability of legal avenues such as small claims courts empowers consumers to assert their rights and seek redress for unfair or unlawful practices by financial institutions like Synchrony Bank.

How can I remove Synchrony Bank from my credit report?

A debt entry by Synchrony Bank collections can harm your credit score for seven years if you do not plan to have it removed. Companies trust Synchrony Bank, and a negative report from them could reduce your chances of getting a new line of credit or personal loan. You can take action to have the debt removed from your credit report:

Send a Debt Validation Letter to Synchrony bank to have them verify the debt belongs to you. If they cannot verify the debt, they should remove it from your credit report.
If you still question the debt, investigate and dispute the debt with TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. They will consult with Synchrony Bank and remove the debt from your report or correct the inaccurate sections.
Request for a pay-for-delete agreement: Such an agreement means that Synchrony Bank commits to deleting the debt from your credit report once you pay the agreed amount.
Ask for goodwill deletion: Synchrony Bank has no legal obligation to delete the debt after you pay; they are only required to change the status from unpaid to paid. Having a paid status is better, but it still reduces your credibility. Politely ask them to remove the entire entry from your credit report.

Don’t let Synchrony Bank take advantage of you

Synchrony Bank may file a lawsuit hoping that you will fail to respond. That way, they do not have to prove their case. Yet, whenever they are asked to prove their case, they often do not have the documentation to back up their allegations. That is why you should let ZumaZip help you respond to the Synchrony Bank lawsuit today. You have a way to fight back – and you can easily do it with the help of ZumaZip.

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:

Guides on how to beat every debt collector

Hey there! Facing off against a debt collector can feel like a daunting challenge, but fear not! We’re here to help you navigate through it all with our handy guides designed to assist you in beating every debt collector you encounter. Whether you’re facing a new lawsuit or dealing with a persistent collector, we’ve got your back. Stay positive, stay informed, and let’s tackle this together!

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If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.

Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

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Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we’ve compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.

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Don’t have time to go to your local courthouse to check the status of your case? We’ve created a guide on how to check the status of your case in every state, complete with online search tools and court directories.