[mml2007]

Having taken some very poor advice as a teenager, I allowed a credit card debt in the sum of $4,500 unpaid - under the assumption that it would eventually be considered a "write off."

Obviously, this did not happen. The debt circulated through various collection agencies, some of which used aggressive and deceptive tactics (not that I think this matters, really). I currently have other credit and utilities which I pay regularly, and this is the only smear on my credit record.

I do not want to go to court, a relative was served with subpoena on Saturday. I am fresh out of college, working but lack the means to pay the full amount - unless it was through some form of payment plan. I am also currently not in Florida, and would find it almost impossible to travel there to appear in court.

My main question: are they within their rights to demand the original sum, plus interest? I never received an accurate claim of the total sum until now, which has spiraled out of control with interest over some four years to almost $8,000.

Who do I deal with, the law office serving me? the Bank?

[GreatGadsby]

when did the account go delinquent?

when was the last payment made?

was it a store card or a regular CC?

[mml2007]

It was a regular credit card with a national bank.

I don't know when the account went delinquent, I'm in the process of trying to gather account information. Must have been early 2003, last payment made must have been August of 2003.

What makes it so difficult for me to respond at this time is that the summons itself contains no information, just balance as of Nov. 2006. What makes it pretty much impossible for me to pay what they are asking for is the interest and late fees they continued to accrue, even after it went to collections - which is the part I really don't understand.

[seniorjudge]

Q: My main question: are they within their rights to demand the original sum, plus interest?

A: Yes.

[Betty3]

What makes it so difficult for me to respond at this time is that the summons itself contains no information, just balance as of Nov. 2006.

You need to answer the summons in the time limit allowed or they can get a default judgment against you.