Debt collectors calling your job? Getting sued and don't know what to do?

Attorney Jeff Lohman from Guardian Litigation Group joins this episode of The Debt Hotline to break down your fundamental rights when dealing with debt collection and what to do when collectors cross the line.

Jeff brings his personal experience to this conversation. After losing everything in the 2008 mortgage collapse, he went to law school specifically to become a consumer protection attorney. Now he helps people navigate debt collection lawsuits, FDCPA violations, and credit reporting issues in Arizona and beyond.

Sued for debt? Visit https://www.solosuit.com/?utm=podcast to resolve it.

In this episode of The Debt Hotline, you'll learn:

• Your two most important rights: debt validation and freedom from harassment
• Why you have exactly 30 days to request debt validation from collectors
• What actually counts as harassment under federal law (and why Regulation F was pulled back)
• How to handle default judgment requests and potentially get them vacated
• When debt collectors can and cannot contact your family, friends, or workplace
• Strategic ways to negotiate better settlements, including using arbitration clauses

Real listener questions covered:

• Default judgment requests in California and how to respond
• Debt collectors calling family and work (FDCPA violations)
• Predatory lending with 400% interest rates and automatic withdrawals
• Settlement strategies for $6,000 Midland Funding lawsuits
• Community property states and spousal debt liability
• Motion to vacate judgment options for improper service

Key takeaways from Attorney Jeff Lohman:

• Never ignore debt lawsuits. Less than 2% of people actually respond, leading to thousands of default judgments monthly
• Debt collectors can only contact third parties for location information, and only if they don't already have your contact details
• Original creditors (like banks) aren't covered by the FDCPA, only third-party debt collectors are
• Arbitration can give you leverage since it costs collectors thousands while only costing consumers a few hundred dollars
• Settlement depends heavily on your financial situation, and being "judgment proof" gives you significant negotiating power

Jeff also warns about debt collection scams: legitimate collectors will never demand immediate payment over the phone or threaten arrest. Always ask for written documentation and never pay someone who pressured you into a panic decision.

Connect with Jeff Lohman and Guardian Litigation Group at https://guardianlit.com

To submit a question to The Debt Hotline, you can:

• Call 801-613-8181 and leave a voicemail
• Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/28gd4XFsq6ybN4Qu8
• Send an email to [email protected]