My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: Oregon
I received a certified letter that was a summons to appear. From what I can read it says I must file an answer within 30 days or the plaintiff will win by default.
I believe this is for a credit account opened in August 2002 with a department store. They are suing me for $1200 plus fees and interest from 2004. I can't afford a lawyer (if I could I would pay the debt). I don't know what I should do. I don't know how to file anything and I wonder if its even worth it. If I don't I still owe the debt. If I do then I pay for the court costs and I'm confident that they will still win.
If I don't answer the summons will I get into more trouble?
Looking around online I see that there are a few things I can do in the mean time. Once such thing would be debt validation. Should I send them a letter or is it too late? Since I have already received the summons? Or can I still do this and then push out the 30 days to respond to the summons?

