Watts Law Group, P.C. M.Stan Herring, P.C.

If I win, what happens next?

After Success in a Debt Collection Lawsuit: Next Steps
Alabama Consumer Protection Attorneys
Phone: 205-879-2447 or 205-714-4443

Fact: A debt collection lawsuit is essentially a claim that a consumer owes money.

Fact: If the debt collection lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice or if the judge ruled in favor of the consumer, the final decision is that the debt is not owed to the debt buyer. Collections must stop.

Fact: A debt buyer cannot continue to report a debt that a judge has decided is not owed.

At Watts Law Group P.C. and M. Stan Herring P.C., our lawyers understand these facts and how to assert your rights under consumer protection law. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you can sue a debt buyer who continues to report a debt on your credit report after you win at trial.

Contact us today for a free confidential consultation.

Our Dedication to Consumer Protection: Filing Suit Against Debt Buyers

Sadly, some debt buyers and collection agencies are not honest in their dealings with consumers. They will often continue to report a debt on a consumer's credit report in an effort to get the consumer to pay the debt. After all, with a blemish on your credit report, you will be unlikely to qualify for a home mortgage or car loan.

Our attorneys have filed many lawsuits on behalf of consumers against debt buyers. See our Representative Consumer Cases page for details about these cases, notably Shields v. First Resolution, Ellis v. Palisades Collection, and Hogue v. Palisades Collection.

Immediate Steps to Take After Your Trial Success

If your case was dismissed with prejudice or a judge ruled in your favor, you can begin immediately to ensure your credit is repaired and the debt is removed from your credit report.

  • Request a free copy of your credit history by mailing the request form (PDF), calling 877-322-8228, or visiting the official Website.

  • Send the following information and request to the consumer reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion:

    • Detail that you were sued, you disputed the debt, and you won
    • Case name and number of the debt collection lawsuit
    • Court name and phone number
    • Name and account number of the debt buyer
    • Name and phone number of the debt buyer’s attorney
    • A formal request to remove this account from your credit report since a court ruled you do not owe the debt

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, these credit reporting agencies are required to investigate your claim. If they do not, you can file a lawsuit against them, as well as the debt buyer who continued to report the debt as owed. This can put cash in your pocket for damages.

Your case may not be over even if you won your debt buyer lawsuit. Call our consumer protection attorneys at 205-879-2447 or 205-714-4443 or fill out our intake form on our Contact Us page.