How to Beat First Progress Debt Collection in 2024

Getting credit can feel impossible without credit history. You need credit to get credit. Secured credit cards like First Progress solve that problem. The lender takes minimal risk, and you build credit.

But life happens. You miss a payment. First Progress calls. If you don’t pay for six months, they may sell your debt. Over 7,000 third-party collection agencies operate in the US. One in three Americans has delinquent debt. Understanding your rights puts you ahead.

Respond to First Progress Before Your Deadline Expires

You have as few as 14 days to file your Answer and avoid default judgment. Don't let First Progress win by default and garnish your wages.

File Your Answer

If First Progress sold your debt, a collection agency will contact you aggressively. You can beat them by responding fast and knowing your options.

What Is First Progress?

First Progress offers lines of credit for consumers building credit records. They report to all three major credit bureaus.

Is First Progress Credit Card Legitimate?

Yes, First Progress is a legitimate Mastercard program. They help individuals establish or improve credit history. The program reports account activity to Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax monthly.

You provide a security deposit that determines your credit line. The deposit acts as collateral. You manage obligations responsibly while building credit foundation.

How Do I Get My Money Back From First Progress?

You can recover your security deposit after closing your account. First, pay off any outstanding balance. After closing the account, you’ll receive a refund check within 10 weeks.

Read First Progress Reviews Online

Reviews for First Progress are mixed. You can find them on the Better Business Bureau and WalletHub. Don’t let negative reviews deter you from taking action.

Many debt collectors, including First Progress, will work with you. They want to resolve debt based on your financial situation. Proactive communication is key.

If calling sounds intimidating, our partner Solo helps you negotiate online through a digital settlement platform.

Check the Accuracy of the Debt

Never assume a debt is valid just because you were sued. Debt collectors and creditors sometimes sue by mistake. Inconsistencies happen frequently.

You might find incorrect balances, wrong dates, or even fraud. Creditors, collection agencies, and attorneys make mistakes in the details.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act lets you demand proof of debt. Creditors must send debt validation within five days of initial contact. If they don’t, send a debt validation letter.

If First Progress contacts you about invalid debt, send them a debt validation letter at:

First Progress Card
P.O. Box 9053
Johnson City, TN
37615-9053

Our partner Solo can help you draft a debt validation letter in minutes.

If First Progress Sues You, Respond to the Summons

Pay close attention to court paperwork details. The Summons and Complaint outline your deadline to respond. You typically have 14-30 days, depending on your state.

The documents include the attorney’s contact info and specific allegations against you. File your Answer with the court immediately. Send a copy to the opposing attorney.

Failing to respond results in a default judgment. Default judgments lead to wage garnishment and bank levies.

Our partner Solo helps you draft and file your Answer in under 10 minutes.

First Progress cannot use unfair practices like adding excessive fees. They cannot take your property without a court order. But they can sue you or freeze assets legally.

Once you file your response, consider these next steps.

Negotiate a Debt Settlement Offer With First Progress

You can negotiate with credit card companies. After filing your Answer, determine if settlement is affordable. Settlement may save you money and stress.

Collectors often purchase debts for pennies on the dollar. They usually accept settlement offers below the original amount. If a collection agency sues you, they’ll typically accept 10-60% of the debt.

If you owe $1,000, you can likely negotiate $100-$600. If the original creditor is suing, expect to settle for 20-70%. On a $1,000 debt, that’s $200-$700.

Tips for Negotiating Your Settlement

Get everything in writing before paying
Never agree to a judgment
Only commit to amounts you can afford
Request a pay-for-delete arrangement
Negotiate removal from your credit report

Be careful what you sign. Don’t relinquish rights or agree to judgments accidentally. Seek legal advice if you negotiate independently.

Contact a Credit Counselor

If your credit card debt already defaulted, consider a debt management plan (DMP). A certified credit counselor can set this up for you.

Credit counseling agencies negotiate with creditors on your behalf. Creditors might waive late fees, lower interest rates, or adjust payment amounts. You can add other unsecured debts to the DMP.

You’ll make one consolidated payment monthly to the counseling agency. Creditors might accept a DMP and drop collection activity. Act quickly if you choose a DMP.

Creditors receive written notification, which stops further collection activity. Our partner Cambridge Credit Counseling specializes in debt management plans.

Bad Credit Limits Your Options

In October 2020, 21.3% of credit card applications were denied. A secured card helps you build credit within months. You can then qualify for unsecured cards with better terms.

Your credit affects apartment rentals, vehicle purchases, mortgages, and even job opportunities. Review your credit report at least once yearly.

Many people don’t realize how much debt they owe. Each major credit bureau (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) offers one free report annually.

Monitoring your financial health helps you repair credit problems or avoid them entirely.

Attorneys Are Expensive—Represent Yourself

Attorneys can be hard to find and very expensive. Sometimes attorney fees exceed the debt amount. You can represent yourself in a debt lawsuit and win.

Many consumers successfully defend themselves without legal representation. Our partner Solo provides tools to help you respond properly.

What Can Happen in a Debt Lawsuit?

Several outcomes are possible in debt collection cases:

You file an Answer and the collector drops the case
You negotiate a settlement before trial
You go to trial and win
You lose at trial and face a judgment
You ignore the lawsuit and get a default judgment

The worst outcome is ignoring the lawsuit. Default judgments allow collectors to garnish wages and freeze bank accounts. Always respond to avoid default.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is First Progress credit card?

First Progress is a secured Mastercard program that helps consumers build credit history. You provide a security deposit that determines your credit line. They report account activity to all three major credit bureaus monthly.

How do I respond to a First Progress lawsuit?

You must file an Answer with the court within 14-30 days, depending on your state. The Answer responds to each allegation in the Complaint. Send a copy to the opposing attorney listed on the Summons. Failing to respond results in default judgment.

Can I negotiate a settlement with First Progress?

Yes, you can negotiate a settlement with First Progress or any collection agency that bought the debt. Collection agencies typically accept 10-60% of the debt amount. Original creditors usually accept 20-70%. Get all settlement terms in writing before paying.

What happens if I ignore a First Progress debt lawsuit?

Ignoring a lawsuit results in default judgment against you. The collector can then garnish your wages, freeze your bank accounts, and place liens on your property. Always respond to lawsuits, even if you believe the debt is invalid.

How do I get my security deposit back from First Progress?

Pay off any outstanding balance on your First Progress card first. Then close the account. You'll receive a refund check for your security deposit within 10 weeks by mail.

How to Beat First Progress: Respond to Debt Collection and Win