Can I Call Target National Bank to Settle Instead of the Debt Collector
I have gotten letters saying I will be served for a $5500 debt to target national bank. Can I call target national bank to try to settle without court?
Can I call target national bank to try to settle without court?
—Jennifer
You can negotiate the Target credit card at anytime. If your account is more than a few months behind, you are likely dealing with a debt collector hired by Targe, or perhaps a debt buyer. In either case, calling Target directly to settle the debt will likely result in being referred to whoever is collecting now.
It would help me to know more about your situation.
When was the last payment made on the account?
What is the current balance?
Who is contacting you to collect the debt?
What state do you live in?
If you can answer those questions in a comment reply below I will respond with more helpful feedback.
About Michael BoveeMichael started CRN in 2004 with a mission to provide people in need with detailed debt and credit help and education. Michael has participated as an expert panelist in federal consumer protection rule making, collaborated on state law changes governing debt consolidation, has worked as an expert witness in court matters related to the debt relief industry. He is available to speak with you about your financial struggle and helps people resolve their debt problems daily.
I am currently working with a debt settlement company and I contacted Target and they said they do not deal with debt settlement companies but my settlement company says they do. What do I do? In 2 days it will be sent to collections.
TD Bank settles debt with debt relief companies. Not sure why they would tell you that.
Your account can be settled with a collection agency too. It is actually more common.
Hello,
I have an account with Target Mastercard that was charged off and sent to collection.
I had called to make a payment and they told me my account had been charged off the day before.
Is there any way to get it back with Target and have the charge off removed from my credit?
My ex husband and I got divorced 4 years ago and I am responsible for the debt of this account. I fell behind on payments resulting in it being charged off. it is now on his credit so I am trying to find a way to make the debt fall solely on me and not him.
He is the primary account holder and I am an authorized user. I feel terrible about this and want to fix it.
any assistance or advice will be greatly appreciated,
kind regards,
Cynthia Alvarez
TD Bank is not known for deleting accurate credit reporting. You can settle the account for less with the collection agency TD Bank sent your account to, and that will update the credit reports to show a zero balance owed. Credit reports can heal after that.
Who is the collection agency that now has the Target account?
Hi Michael. It’s Ben from the Synchrony thread. Mom also has 5k Target that we were planning on getting sued for and hoping it just turns into a judgment lien with no foreclosure on the home. I was just wondering what the options were here as money is tight especially if family is going to be helping out with the Synchrony situation. Would debt collector likely place a lien on the home in court if we cannot pay? Or if somehow we could offer some kind of extended payment plan and not a lump sum is there any way to do it like we discussed with Synchrony? Currently she’s paying $250 a month for the next 2.75 years no interest. THANKS!
The payment plan you have with TD bank now is as good as that would likely get.
Attorneys for TD bank do not typically offer super long payment terms on lawsuits and judgments, though I will say that is not impossible.
TD bank does not sell debts right now, so the same two or more year payback time on an account settled for half is not going to look the same as her other accounts.
It would be super rare to see a credit card collection judgment, that results in a lien against real property, cause there to be a forced sale of the home to satisfy the judgment.
Thanks Michael. So since they don’t sell their debts, and my mother is stopping payment, how long until she can expect to receive a notice to appear in court? I’m assuming it will be a written notice? Does she need a lawyer or anything or can she just show up and say, “I’m on social security & I have no assets.” I also read that it would be best to take her name off of the joint bank account with my father where he receives his social security deposits and keep her deposits in the one she currently has on her own so they don’t accidentally garnish any of his wages. I’m assuming that info is valid to your knowledge and should be done ASAP? Thanks!
I’m aware that it would be super rare to see a forced sale in a home. I’m concerned too about what happens in 15 or 20 years from now after these liens have been gaining interest and if my parent(s) are still around. I feel like they’d look a lot juicier and worthwhile to foreclose on especially since there is a lot of equity in the home and the mortgage would be paid. I am probably worrying too much, I’m aware.
If you are worried about what these balances could inflate to if the court grants judgment interest, and you want to preserve the estate (the judgment liens would eventually be paid if they sell, transfer title after passing, refi), I would get with the family and try to settle the TD bank credit card around 6 or so months from now.
If it just is what it is, check out this post and video about social security collection exemption. If the only money going in her account is from an exempt source, and they spend that money out (don’t let a few months of SSI build up in the account), she is probably good. If he is still working, so more than SSI in his account, I would take her off in this situation if it were my family situation.
When was the last payment made on the account?
September 4, 2019
What is the current balance?
$630
Who is contacting you to collect the debt?
What state do you live in? ca
If you are not sure if TD bank has this out with a collection agency, you can call the and find out. It your Target account is out with an agency, TD Bank will tell you who and you will likely have to call the agency to negotiate your settlement or payments.
If TD still has it internal you can settle your Target account with them.
My card was marked as charge off can target remove it from credit report
A charge off can stay on your credit for 7 years whether you resolve the debt or not. Getting TD bank to update your charged off Target account as resolved, and a zero balance owed, is better for your credit than an unpaid bill.
I do not see TD Bank removing negatives (other than when they have to) at this time.
Between November 30 and December 7 of 2019 my Credit Karma score on Equifax (not TransUnion) dropped 62 points down to a ‘good’ instead of the ‘excellent’ I’ve had for years. I have learned it happened because of an account was closed I had with Target National Bank, which I NEVER had nor have ever had their credit card. I’ve never received any mail or correspondence of any kind. How do I remove that? A Google search revealed more complaints but not much useful information…should I just try cold calling? I’m not interested in giving my social to them to find this alleged account.
If it were me, I would start off with disputing it as not mine. More on credit report disputes here: https://consumerrecoverynetwork.com/dispute-tradeline-diy-credit-repair/
I was taken to collections on a target account from 2003 after my divorce. They wouldn’t negotiate and I couldn’t pay off the debt. Anyways CIR law offices on behalf of target was garnishing my wages. I went to court and was granted exemption by the court. How do I get a release letter and from who?? The company that sued me is no longer around.
Did the judgement end up getting settled or paid? If not, and if it is still valid (not expired), you will likely still need to resolve it. You can contact Target to see if you can resolve it through them, or if they have it out with another collection law firm.
I would like to know which credit collection agency is handling my account.
If your account is with Target National Bank, you can call them and they will provide that information.
I’m also trying to figure out who has my collection account.
And cant call.anyone till monday.
But does anyone know if this rausch sturm is the firm for targets collectuons
It has been a little while since you posted this. Were you able to confirm TD bank sent your account to Rausch Sturm for collection?
Raush sturm has my target card for collection. They have some kind of attorney firm attached to them and they put something into the court, that I had to pay an extra 220 for, that says I will have a judgement against me and will have to appear in court if I don’t pay.
I would like to payoff my dbt
Is your account with TD bank? They can be a bit of a bear to settle with. If you would like help you can click the get debt help tab in the upper right corner and complete a profile and get assistance.
I have gotten letters saying I will be served for a $3600 debt to target national bank. Can I call target national bank to try to settle without court?
last payment 1 year
current balance 3512.73
any and all collectors-lawyers
live in Texas.
Can I call target national bank to try to settle without court?
tried calling target. referred me to rausch sturm.
You typically have to work out your settlement or payment plan with the collector or law firm TD Bank sends your account to.
I have a judgement against me what can I do to settle with Target or is it too late. I was never served or summoned or anything.
You can call the collection law firm to settle the judgment. How much is it for? Do you have the ability to raise, say 60% of that?
Also, I would want to look at my options to challenge a judgment I did not know about until after the fact. Can you tell me when the judgment was entered in the court? What address does the record show they served you at (or alternative service method)? Did you ever live at that address, and if you did, had you moved from it prior to the date the court record shows you were served?
The address they have on record is an old address I was homeless and stayed there a month. The amount is a little over $10,000, now, it was originally only around 5000.00. I’m not sure what address they served me at was but they said it was subserved which anyone could sign for that. Might be able too but they offered 7627.00 only toll end of the month.
I would first talk to an experienced debt collection defense attorney in your state about vacating the judgment. You want to find out if the substitute of service met the state requirement. I can email you a list of attorney with the experience you need to answer that if you like? What state are you in?
Thanks I’d appreciate that. I’m in California
I’m trying to pay my target account that went to collections but lost lawyers number any ideas who to call?
I would call TD bank and ask who they have your account out with for collection right now.
Michael, below is the series of case details regarding a case my husband has with Target National Bank. We were contacted about six months ago by a collector for them and advised them that we were both going through cancer treatment and unable to settle at this time. They persisted with the calls and more questioning from how much I was receiving for disability, what is our monthly mortgage payment, to how we pay our mortgage, etc., They advised us that they (Target) “garnished” our wages in April of 2013 and they told us the account that Target pulled the money from. We visited that bank and NO FUNDS were pulled in 2013. The notice we received this week is a notice of levy and we have until 2/18/17 to resolve. Amount is for $2579.89. Last payment we would have paid would have been in 2008, maybe 2009, when my husband was laid off from his job. We understand that the State of California has a statute of limitations for 4 years, and since wages were supposedly garnished in 4/2013, would the supposed garnishment in 4/2013 be counted as a payment, although the bank that they supposedly seized the funds from has NO RECORD of this transaction?
What are our options? Currently we are in the process of modifying our current home loan and have filed a financial hardship document supporting our request. Income is not great, and we’re saving what we can, If bank withholds those funds and distributes to Target, if the home loan mod comes through, we won’t have the funds t0 pay our trial period!
Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thank you….
John Doe – not my husbands real name!
12/23/2016 Writ of Execution Issued To Alameda
12/20/2016 Memo of credits interest & costs after judgment Filed for Target National Bank
6/23/2016 Writ of Execution – Unsatisfied from Alameda County Filed
12/18/2015 Writ of Execution Issued To Alameda
12/4/2015 Memo of credits interest & costs after judgment Filed for Target National Bank
9/17/2013 Abstract of Judgment Issued
8/26/2013 Writ of Execution – Partially Satisfied from Alameda County Filed
2/7/2013 Writ of Execution Issued To Alameda
2/7/2013 Memo of Costs Filed for Target National Bank
10/4/2011 Default Judgment (Money) Entered
10/4/2011 Request Re: Default and Default Clerk’s Judgment (Money) As to John Doe
10/4/2011 Request Re: Default and Default Clerk’s Judgment (Money) As To John Doe
10/4/2011 Default Judgment (Money)
9/15/2011 Compliance Hearing 10/31/2011 08:45 AM D- 15 1
12/2/2010 Proof of Service on Complaint As to John Doe Filed
9/20/2010 Declaration re: Venue Filed
9/20/2010 Summons on Complaint Issued and Filed
9/20/2010 Complaint – Collections Filed
9/20/2010 Civil Case Cover Sheet Filed for Target National Bank
The SOL you are tracking (4 years to file a lawsuit) is not what you may be thinking it is. They filed the case in 2010 and subsequently got the judgment. Any account levy after that has no bearing on time, or anything else really. Judgments in California are good for 10 years, and can be renewed for another 10.
You can contest the account levy formally with the court, and if you meet hardship exclusions, will be able to keep some or all of the money. I would look into that immediately.
I made a settlement with Target National bank in 2014 paid by official check by my bank. In 2016 I received a letter from IRS stating a unforgiving debit from Target Bank a 1099 form was sent to them for year2013 I called the IRS stated I had a copy of the cashed check from Target Bank I was told it needed to come from Target Bank tried to contact Target Bank stated they do not have any records of me having any account or 1099 form sent to the IRS, why can’t the IRS accept a copy of the check as proof of payment? Now there are blocking me from e-filing my taxes please help!
Talk to a tax professional about what you need to do to get over this hurdle. I am not familiar with what the IRS will accept to clear this up.
I do have a post up about tax on cancelled debt. Anything over 600 dollars forgiven will often generate the 1099c. You would have wanted to take that into consideration in the way I outline in that link. But also look at whether you could be deemed technically insolvent in that tax year.
Hi I just received papers saying I’m being sued by TD bank USA for 1200$ and I wanted to know if I can settle it without going to court?
You can settle out of court when sued. Just be prepared to pay between 50 and 100 percent. Be sure you get any deal you make in writing before you pay it.
How would I contact them about settling the debt? Do I call target?
You typically have to negotiate the debt with the collection law firm Target sent your account to.
I don’t even remember getting calls or letter saying pay this. I got served today from Target. What’s my best option. It’s under $900. No way to pay in full no extra cash. Medical issues. Should I let it go to court or call the attorney
Can you pull together half the amount they are suing for? How long would it take to raise the money?
Served summons today by TD bank for target card. Amount owed is 13,500$. Court date is January 10. I would like to make a settlement out of court . What are my options. I live in tn. Last payment was made in May 2016.
I got your consult request and sent you an email about setting up a time to connect that works with your schedule.
Hi Mike,
I got served here in Texas yesterday by TD Bank. The server informed me that I am to write an “Answer” within the next 14 days and take to the court. My debt according to the sheet is less that $800, not including court fees and such I guess because there are some points after the correct amount owed.
My question is this: From reading it seems as though I need to write the “Answer” and then I will be able to settle out of court? Or is that wrong?
I’m just looking for the best way to go about this. I’d prefer to just make payments to settle this and not have to go into actual court.
I would file an answer and then save up to settle in a lump sum, and avoid a monthly payment arrangement.
Check out this post on settling when sued for more tips and details.
Hi Mike, my mother was recently served court papers from TD Bank USA, for “damages” of over $9k. Can she still settle out of court? We are in CA and the notice asks for a written response “in proper legal form” which we aren’t really sure what is considered “proper legal form”. And what would we say? That we got the notice but not able to pay up? Thanks for any advice, Mike.
She can settle with TD Bank out of court, but the outcome is usually better if you file a general denial first, and then negotiate.
How much can you pull together to offer as a lump sum settlement?
I’m getting all kinds of things in the mail from lawyers all over the DFW area saying that I’m being sued by TD Bank NA for my Target credit card, which the last payment was made a little over 2 years ago. I originally thought the account was closed and nothing else had to be done since we stopped getting things in the mail for collections. I haven’t been served yet, but what I’m asking is: Since we haven’t paid anything on the debt, and I’m being sued, we really haven’t had the money to pay, will I actually be served, will I have to go to court, and if I don’t have to go, if I do nothing about it, what’s the worst that can happen?
By the way the debt is a little over $1000, which unfortunately we were under hard times because the job I had was not stable because it was part time seasonal. I worked based on mostly decent weather. I’m now working at a retail pharmacy store part time, which is more stable, but my wife and I still have a nearly $400 car payment, and various other bills to pay, which she budgets for. I also have student loans from 2000 that I’m on a plan where I keep applying for yearly so after 25 years, the debt is forgiven.
They took the time and money to file the lawsuit. You can expect to be served. If you do nothing after that, they get a default judgment, it goes on your credit, they can levy your bank account or lien property.
Hello Mike,.
I have a judgement against me from Target National Bank on a credit card for $11,000. Will they usually let you make payments or not. The judgement is dated 04/2010.
You can set up payments on a judgment with Target. What if they accepted 6k to settle it? Could you pull the money together?
Hey Michael.
Hoping you can give me some Target advice too as I’m trying to clean up me debt..
Opened….06.13.08
Closed…12.10.11
Last payment..06.01.11
30/60/90….2/1/3
$200…credit limit
$450….past due
Charged off account
Account closed by guarantor
Lives in charlotte, nc
Currently no collections showing on the credit report….just the Target account.
I would call Target and settle this for the best savings possible. Small balance accounts do not settle all that great on a percentage basis, so be ready for that.
Getting this account updated to show as a resolved collection may not bump your credit score right away. What positive things do you have on your credit reports?
My credit score is about 700…i have a capital one card almost a year old that i pay in full every month, a Dell account (needed a laptop for my son for college) which is about six months old and zero balance and about to start the 3rd year of a car lease (no late payments).
I also have a macy’s card that went delinquent around the same time as the Target card with about the same balance….
If i reach out to Target and they refer me to a collection agency should I follow up with the collection agency even though no collection agency is showing on my credit report? My fear is showing up on their radar.
You would need to follow up the collection agency to resolve the debt if Target refers you to one. Same thing goes if you work on the Macy’s account.
Hello Michael,
I am from Chicago. I stopped making payments to Target RedCard in May 2019 due to only working part-time and not earning enough to make payments and then I was unemployed for 2 months. I had a difficult time getting back up. I have a balance of $3653.05. I contacted Target RedCard in December and they told me my account was sent to Blitt & Gaines, Attorneys at Law. In January I enrolled in a credit counseling service agency and they began making payments around $110 directly to Target RedCard, but Target RedCard rejected working with credit counseling agency, but they are still taking payments and have been sending them to Blitt & Gaines, Attorneys at Law because they own the account. January and February payments were made and Blitt & Gaines accepted them because they were coming from Target RedCard. Now, I tried to pay Blitt & Gaines directly and they told me that I can no longer pay them directly because my account there was closed, but that they can continue receiving payments from Target RedCard up until April. I asked for details and they told me that they would be going to court in April to return the account, but don’t know what will happen after that. They told me that I will have to also pay a court fee of $449.95. I have been receiving papers from attorneys telling me that I am being sued and need to get an attorney. Any advice? I don’t know what to do at this point.
The credit counseling company does not have an agreement for those payments, so it did not stop the lawsuit.
Now that you are being sued, read through the options I outline here: https://consumerrecoverynetwork.com/question/can-you-negotiate-and-settle-a-credit-card-debt-if-you-are-being-sued/
What are you inclined to do to handle this after having read over that?
I lost my job in 2011 and couldn’t pay my target card. I had a 200 limit. They have since charged the account off with a balance of 464. my last payment was in 2012 after my unemployment ran out. This is dragging my score down. What is the best way to handle this debt?
At this point, if it were me, I would settle the debt for the lowest amount possible and get it updated to show a resolved collection.
Thank you! That is what direction i was heading in. Just wanted to make sure.
Hello, I recently settled on my Target cc through Target directly I only owed $430. I lost my job and they tacked on interest and fees which made that total. I settled for half that amount. I’m currently trying to get a home. They said they are updating my credit report to show zero balance. This was reporting since 08. Im in Tex so there was no suing involved. Im afraid this will hender my score since I settled. Im lost.
Was it that you stopped paying in 2008? It should not be on your credit reports if that is the case.
I was curious what number did you call to settle with target?
Good Afternoon Michael,
My name is May . I reside in California and I lose my job and steady income has varied recently. I missed three payments on my Target Card and discovered my account has been closed and is now deemed a charge off? Is it possible for me to settle with Target and have the charge off removed completely or do I have to ”
ride” the next 7 years with this charge off on my report. I am attempting to purchase a home? Also there is a
Joint owner on the account, is there any way I can remove him since he was not at fault Thank you kindly. May D
If the joint owner is a co-borrower, and not an authorized user, they are normally going to be stuck with the credit reporting.
You can settle the Target account and get it updated to show resolved and a zero balance owed. That will stay on your credit report for the 7 years, but will not inhibit your options with getting a home loan. Not if this is the only blip on your credit.
I lived in KY and was served papers tonight from TD Bank for Target over a $1,198 credit card bill. I’m not questioning the debt and want to settle with them, but I’m not sure the appropriate course of action. I’m locked out of the my Target card account and changed banks this Spring so I’m not 100% sure when the last payment was (I want to say January 2016 but can’t be sure). To my knowledge the debt never went to collections, just straight to the court filing. (The paperwork I received states I have 20 days to file an answer, but no instructions as to a court date, etc.)
My question is this. Is it acceptable to contact TD Bank’s attorney listed and try to work out a payment plan or a settlement? I could likely have the amount paid off within 2 or 3 months (I just got a promotion and substantial pay increase at work since I graduated with my Masters degree allowing me to do so), but would they go for this? If so, would that keep them from going the court route?
Because Target already file the suit they are going to follow through with it. If you offer payments in a 2 to 3 month time frame Target’s attorney will typically want you to sign a consent or stipulation to judgment. You can often avoid this by negotiating a lump sum that you pay in one shot, or by filing an answer to the complaint where you generally deny the allegations (follow all court protocols) and buy yourself the time to come up with the money all at once over the 2 months that you need.
You will not be able to work this out with Target or TD Bank now that the attorney has it. You will want to contact the collection law firm directly.
Do you know how judgements from Target National Bank will be handled now that they liquidated? Did TD Bank take ownership of the judgements? If so, would a new judgement have to be filed can TD Bank pursue collection efforts and possibly renew these judgements at the 10 year expiration date?
TD bank would typically not have to file any new judgment. They would be the successor to the original one Target got.
I settled and paid in full a debt of about $3k with Target 7 years ago. I recently found out that my home equity loan was denied because it’s showing on my credit report as a settlement. Is there a way to remove it? It’s been 7 years so I thought it wouldn’t be reflected.
A paid Target settlement from 7 years ago is generally not going to cause a HELOC to be declined. Are you sure it shows as resolved?
Can you tell me the date you last paid Target prior to your settling the account?
Hi Michael, I had a debt with target about 2 years ago, I just recently paid it off this march in the amount of $730.09 through a third party debt collector known as IC SYSTEM, today I called the target line to activate my red card and they told me they couldn’t do it for me because there’s a balance on my account and I told them that I have paid it off and they said they have not received it. My question is, do you know if IC SYSTEM is actually a third party debt collector for target ? And if not, what should I do? Call IC SYSTEM? Call Target again?
IC Systems is a legitimate debt collector, and they do collect on Target accounts. Do you have a settlement or payment agreement in writing from IC? How did you remit the payment to them? What day in March was the payment processed?
Hi there. I have debt with a target credit card of $1000. Midland credit now has it. The debt is from 2008 obviously it’s 2016. What do I do? Please help. At the bottom of the letter it says they can’t sue because of the age of the debt and paying it or non payment will not affect my credit score. Thank you
K
What would you like to do about it? You can settle for a good savings, but this debt cannot be sued upon, and if you check your credit reports, you should not see it there either.
I had a target store credit card, the balance is around 3,700$ The last payment I made was last year. I never received any letters from a debt collection agency. I got a letter in the mail last Thursday from a law firm asking for a default judgment against me, I never received a summons for a court date. I live in Massachusetts.
I would talk with an experienced debt collection defense attorney in Massachusetts first before quickly determining your next step. I can send you an email with a list of all the attorneys I know of with the experience you need.
Your options could include:
Settling the Target account for the best savings possible.
Filing an answer and defending the suit with an eye on buying time to save up to settle if you do not have access to enough money now.
File and defend to a dismissal (not all that common with original creditors suing).
How much can you raise to offer as a settlement on short notice?
Hi Michael,
I have had a credit card from 5+ years ago. I was unable to make a payment on the card and of course the next bill seemed to triple. Once this happened I was unable to make a payment and it just kept getting worse and worse. Years went by and I got the typical calls and letters in the mail about owing and that it would go to a collections. Recently I have noticed that my paychecks have been garnished $300 a check ( $600 a month) I owe around $5,500. I have not received anything in the mail or call that this would be taking place. I actually had my corporate office investigate to see why the money was being garnished. I am planning on paying this off in full come February but is there anything to do in the meantime? I am unable to live with $600 being deducted from my account.
Call the court where the judgment is entered and ask the clerk about the process for you to formally contest the garnishment. If you are fully or partially exempt you can reduce or eliminate the amount of the garnishment. If your successful you could have an easier time of settling for a lower pay off amount in February.
Thank you!
Hi Michael. I have an old debt for Target National Bank. It is less than 1,000.00. The account went to collections with Midland Credit Management. They sent me a payoff offer and when I went online to pay it in full…I read nothing but negative and scary reviews about this company. I thought I should just pay Target up front, but since I am trying to buy a home, that wouldn’t take MCM off my credit report. What should I do?
Midland Credit Management is not scary. They are one of the more painless collectors to settle with in my view. You will have to resolve this with them, as they own your Target account now.
You will not likely be able to get MCM off your credit at this point. But you can expect them to update your credit card debt with the fact that you owe nothing on the account anymore once you pay. That will help your credit and your ability to get a home loan.
I had an account with Target under Retailers National Bank. It has changed hands a few times and now TD Bank is suing. They are using a lawfim Rausch.Sturm, Israel, Enerson & Hornik. The plaintiff is stated to be TD Bank as successor in interest to Target National Bank. As I said before the account was opened under Retailers National Bank, and had a different account number than they are suing under. I’ll call them #1 and #2 .The number of #1 changed when it changed hands/names one of those times. I wrote the lawfirm asking them to prove they own or have the right to sue me. They sent back a notarized paper from someone at Target Corporate Services, saying that they are suing for TD Bank & that TD Bank owns it and that I opened the account under account #2. Also an assignment and assumption sheet but it doesn’t have anything about the account number change. Also my credit report says I opened the account in 1999( Retailers still owned it) and the account number is account #2. No mention anywhere of the old account number. Also no mention of Retailers Nat Bank. Can they win even though they aren’t suing under the original account number. Can I win for this reason?
Your chances for beating the Target lawsuit by TD Bank are better discussed with an experienced debt collection defense attorney in your state. You can usually get an initial consult at no cost. Post the name of a nearby larger city and I will email you contact info for any in the area I know of.
I would not have much optimism for winning my case if all I had to go on was the account number.
I lost my job in 2009 and signed up with a debt management firm to negotiate a debt settlement when my creditors wouldn’t agree to one until I got back on my feet. Have successfully paid off $15k in debt, however, the first debt that was settled was for a Target card for about $300.00. That was settled in September, 2009. Every spring I receive either phone calls or letters from different collection agencies trying to collect on my outstanding debt to Target. I send them the settlement information and don’t ever hear from them again until the following year when another company calls to collect on the debt. Today I received a call from Midland Credit Management for the same debt, but this agent was more helpful with information. His company purchased the debt from Target National Bank in November 2011; this account had been charged off by Target in May, 2010. He also gave me the original card number. My question to you is this: is there something I can do to get Target to stop collection agencies from calling me or hiring new ones? Also, Midland posted a negative comment on my credit report regarding this making it appear that the debt is new. What can I do to get this off? Thank you in advance for your help!
Carole – Who was the debt management company you hired? Have you had contact with them about this issue? What did they say? Do they have the documentation about the settlement they negotiated with Target? Any file notes with dates and reps exchanging dialogue?
Post your answers and lets go from there.
Also, in general, for any debt there is a 7 year limit, I understand. However, each new collection agency is reporting the debt to my credit and posting it as the year in which they aquired it, so it looks like I have recent bad debt. How can I get this removed if the original debt is in fact more than 7 years old? (and result of divorce)
Melissa – I have a post up dedicated to aged credit reporting: https://consumerrecoverynetwork.com/question/collection-accounts-age-off-credit-reports/
Post a comment with the names of the debt collectors that are reaging the accounts on your credit reports, and how old the debts are, but on that page. I can offer feedback after that.
I had a Target credit card which, through a series of unfortunate events, went to collections in 2006. I now have a judgement, which I was not present to defend against because when I got the letter (which seemed bogus) I called the court where it was stated to be heard and they said it was not on the docket. Now, 2014, I am trying to sell my homestead and the title company says it will not close until Target is settled, if I don’t then they will pay it in full from my equity. Texas Property Code prevents this yet I am stuck….any suggestions on what I should do? Especially given that Target National Bank closed and liquidated March 2013? Thanks so much!
Melissa – How much is the Target National Bank judgment for as of today (adding any interest the court applied)? Has the title company already send a demand request?
I read your comment as some irked to the point of wanting to fight this, and there may be ways to do that. But most people I have worked with over the years in your type of situation just want to sell their place and move on with their goals. Which is it for you? The answer will impact additional feedback I have to offer.
Thank you, Michael. The AJ is saying $4100 is owed, I’m not sure about any accrued interest or fees since. I am not sure if the Title Company has sent a demand letter or not. I don’t want to “just pay it” since I don’t agree with the debt in the first place and more importantly, Texas Property COde states that homestead/equity from homestead is exempt from this type of AJ. I have tried calling multiple numbers to contact the attorneys listed and Target National Bank….with no luck.
no, title company has not sent demand.
melissa – I am going to suggest you run your scenario by an experienced debt collection defense attorney. There are several in Texas. If you post the name of a larger city nearby, I will email you contact info to a few you can choose from.
Hi I live in Chicago,il
I did want to mention the attorney – freedman Anselmo Lindberg LLC
Josie – Is Target/TD Bank named in the lawsuit as the plaintiff, or is there another company name as plaintiff? What do you mean by settle for “a lump sum with a bonus”?
Yes they are named as the plaintiff. What is weird is that I got the “Trial Call Order” through regular mail, I would have thought they wanted some guarantee that I received the order.
I mean that I’m going to come into some money and I could use that (bonus).
Sorry I didnt realize i started a new thread
That’s okay. I kept this one in the comment string.
I would typically estimate Target settlements at 50%. But now that you have been sued, they are thinking they have the leverage, and they do. I would still target 50%, and start any offer at below that, but with a realistic expectation that this may settle for higher, perhaps much higher.
Here is a good article to read about negotiating a debt when sued (with a good amount of comment exchanges that are equally instructive).
Hi and I’m back. I looked through all my email and I now see that it first went to a debt collector (Alliance One) and than went to the firm that I listed above which is suing me now. I haven’t called them yet but I wanted your opinion. Does that change anything? I’m in the process of looking to borrow money so I know what is my high.
Josie – It does not change anything from my perspective. It just means Alliance One was probably acting as contingency collector for a couple months; could not settle or collect anything; the account got pulled back; and then dropped into a different collection bucket. Normal stuff.
It’s like you said they are asking for 80% and that’s after a lot of back and forth for 30 min. I’m going to try again but what does the letter need to state so they don’t come back and sue for the rest?
Josie – Here is a report about what to look for in a written settlement deal: https://consumerrecoverynetwork.com/debt-settlement-letters-agreements/
HI I got my letter and it follows the outline in the link.
So I think it’s fine but wanted you to review the body of the letter. It states the following: Freedman LLC are debt collectors for the captioned creditor. Pursuant to our recent communication, this letter will confirm that we have authority to accept as settlement for the captioned matter the sum of $6200 to be delivered to this office on or before 02/28/14. In the event the payment is received after this date, the offer will be withdrawn absent any writin confirmation from our office to the contrary. In exchange for your timely check in the above amount, we will issue (after clearance) any release an satisfactions necessary, or dismiss any pending proceedings. Please have the check payable to our client and forward same to my attention via one of the following payment options.
My other question is that I plan to provide a cashier check and i have read that you should get one from a bank that you don’t have an account. Is that really necessary?
Thanks for all of your help.
Josie – I would be good with that verbiage if it were me in your situation.
Where is it you are reading about not using your own bank to issue the cashier check? I disagree and encourage the opposite in most situations. Here are some reasons why:
You are resolving the debt, so there is no call for concern about your bank account being tapped for any later payments (where an error may occur).
You are already engaged in a formal court proceeding. There really is no room for undocumented collection behavior at this point.
The debt collection industry exists in a high level of scrutiny today. Short of an obvious scam, your bank accounts are not at risk from debt collectors without a judgment.
And the biggest reason; You want easy access to proof that payment was made and processed. Your bank will generally offer the quickest, and most convenient, access to proof of payment if you have to correct a collection mistake later.
You can run this through an experienced consumer law attorney in your state in order to gain more confidence with how you are proceeding.
I can’t remember the website but I had read that as one of the items to do when sending a check.
OK so final question I was taking to a fried who advised that it looks like I already have a judgment against me as they case has already gone though “Case set on Default Call” and it’s now at “case set on Prove up Call”. I did some research and some sites say yes and some say no. If it had gone through judgement and the next court date is 3/25/14. Do I have any recourse to get the judgement reversed?
Josie – You should run all of this by an experienced debt defense attorney in order to make certain all of your goals are being met. Even it costs you a little bit, if not having any judgment in the court record is your primary goal, you need to make sure you are progressing correctly with this. If you want help locating one, send me an email with the name of a larger nearby city. I will reply with what I find for attorney practices focused on debt defense.
Yes, there are ways to get a judgment set aside or vacated (if that is what has occurred). But consult an attorney about this angle, not the internet (not that there isn’t good information on sites like mine, and others).
Hi hope you ca help- I received a trial call order for a target card(TD Bank) out os Illinois . I own a home with little equity and my car outright. I have other cc which i have been paying but it shows i’ve been slow paying on house and remaining cc. I stopped paying in early 2013 and owe them $7200. and i want to do a lump sum payment with a bonus. Based on this where should i start negotiations and expect to end up. I just dont want a judgement. Thank
I do not own property. I can come up with up to $500.00 they won a judgment on 04-07 but can not find out who has this bad debt what are my chances of settling this
You should first contact the attorney that was hired to sue you. After this much time they may not have the ability to work out any arrangement with you. You could also contact Target directly if they were listed as the plaintiff in the original collection lawsuit. If another company name appears as plaintiff in the court record, it would be a debt buyer, and you can contact them directly.
I just do not see judgments of this size being settled for 500, and certainly not if Target still has it.
last payment made in 2005 current balance is $5200.00 nobody is contacting us but pass due judgement we are trying to settle from target visa and we live in pa/
How collectable will you look to them? Do you have other open accounts on your credit report that are being paid on time? Own property?
How much are you able to come up with to settle the Target judgment?
I have been sued by Target credit card account for sum of $5683. The account is now with Javitch, Block, and Rathbone. I live in Indiana. I have been paying $100 on the account every month and the last payment was made May 2013. Looking for advice.
Lindsey – If your 100.00 payment was less than the required monthly minimum, your Target credit card was charged off and dropped into the debt collection pipe line. Javitch suing in order to collect, even though you were still paying what you could afford, is not all that uncommon.
What is your goal for resolving this account? Can you tap some resources to raise enough cash to settle? Are you hoping to get an affordable monthly payment set up? Do you have limited income situation?
My goal is to take care of this and put it behind me. I called the law firm yesterday and asked how I could settle it. They told me I would have to pay the full amount in lump sum. Obviously I do not have that or I would have already taken care of it. I am hoping that they will offer an amount to settle. What is a reasonable amount to settle this? They say that they will not consider a monthly payment arrangement. I am on a limited income situation as I have a monthly budget that I try to stick to and others debts that have to be paid. I want to avoid court if at all possible. I am suppsed to call them back in one week to discuss amount I can pay.
Settling accounts for less, when already sued, can typically range between 50 and 100%. The lower end is something I see apply more to hardship situations where medical issues, unemplyment, income limited to SSI occur. Target credit card collection lawsuits are ones I have targeted at 70% lump sum over the years.
If all you can do is make monthly payments, you will likely end up with a judgment through stipulation or consent. You wouls still need to get them on board with the monthly amount, and I am sure the 100.00 monthly was all you could manage before, but they may not want to hear that. You may need to participate in the court process in order to get a monthly payment you can afford.