Debt Collection Arbitration Process
If you don't pay your bills, a debt collector may begin legal proceedings against you. Debt collectors can sue you in court to try to collect the debt. Or, if your credit contracts require that disputes go through arbitration, debt collectors can begin that process to try to collect the debt. In arbitration, the parties submit their dispute to an arbitrator – a private third party – rather than to a judge. While arbitration is generally less formal than going to court, the arbitrator's decision is binding and enforceable in court.
Arbitration proceedings can be filed on behalf of original creditors as well as debt collectors who purchased the debt. Arbitration decisions have a significant effect on your rights. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says it's important to understand how debt collection arbitration works and what your rights are. With this knowledge, you can make an informed decision about whether you want to enter into a contract that requires arbitration to settle disputes. It also can save you time, money, and aggravation during an arbitration proceeding.
Why do some disputes go to arbitration rather than court? Contracts for some goods and services – for example, credit cards, cell phones, and medical services – often require people to use arbitration rather than the courts to settle disputes. As a result, when you shop for goods and services, read the terms of the contract to see if it requires arbitration in case of disputes. If you want to keep your options open, look for a contract that doesn't require arbitration or one that offers a provision that allows you to decide not to use arbitration if a dispute arises.
A company that administers the arbitration process is called a "forum" or "provider." It appoints the arbitrators, schedules the hearings and phone calls, and manages the flow of information between the parties and the arbitrator until the dispute is resolved. A forum "case manager" may serve as your point of contact.
A forum and its employees must be fair and impartial. They are not allowed to help you present your side of the story or recommend a lawyer. You aren't required to have a lawyer represent you in arbitration, but you may decide that it's a good idea: arbitration is a legal proceeding, and the resolution can have serious and long-lasting consequences. Your local bar association or legal services organization can refer you to a lawyer.
How does arbitration work?
If a debt collector believes that you owe money, it may begin an arbitration proceeding against you by sending you an arbitration notice in the mail or through a delivery service. If you don't understand the notice or recognize the debt, call the forum or the debt collector for more information. The name of the sender may be unfamiliar if the notice is sent by the forum or the debt collector, rather than the original creditor. You also may wish to contact a lawyer.
Once you are involved in an arbitration, read everything the forum or the collector sends. Contact the forum or a lawyer about anything you don't understand. Keep a copy of everything you send to the forum or the collector. Send your documents by certified mail, and request a return receipt: it's proof of what the forum or the collector received and when.
Rules called "protocols" or "procedures" govern the arbitration process, including deadlines, obligations, and costs. You may want to ask your case manager for a copy, but these rules generally are also available on a forum's website. Ask for a "fee schedule," too. It explains which fees and costs each party must pay. If you can't afford your portion of the fees, ask if the forum offers "fee waivers" and how to apply. Ask whether there's an option to have a hearing in writing, by phone, or by email. A written or telephone hearing may cost less than an in-person hearing.
At the hearing, each party has a chance to explain its side of the dispute to the arbitrator. The arbitrator considers each side's evidence and submissions and then makes a decision. The arbitrator's decision is binding even if you don't participate in the process.
What are the consequences of arbitration?
If the arbitrator issues an award stating that you owe money, the debt collector must go to court and ask it to "confirm" the award as a court judgment before it can collect on the arbitration award. The court judgment can be used to try to collect payment from you. The court may issue a garnishment order against you that allows money to be withdrawn directly from your paycheck or bank account. Certain types of funds cannot be garnished, including some federal benefits.
If you disagree with the award, you have two options: You can challenge the collector's request that the court confirm it or you can go to court yourself to contest the award. Either way, you have a limited number of reasons for challenging the award, like arbitrator misconduct, and you may have a short period of time to do so. You might wish to consult with a lawyer for more information about challenging an award.
The results of an arbitration proceeding can have a negative impact on your credit report and credit score. That, in turn, can affect whether you can get a loan, and how much you will have to pay to borrow money.
Related article: FTC Issues Report Saying Arbitration Process is Broken
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