How To Win Against Frost-Arnett Company

Frost-Arnett is a debt collection agency that specializes in medical debt. They contact you because they purchased your past-due medical bills from a healthcare provider.

You might have to pay them. But you don’t have to pay the full amount.

You can negotiate a settlement to pay less. If they sue you, respond immediately to avoid wage garnishment or bank levies.

Why Frost-Arnett Is Contacting You

Frost-Arnett collects past-due debts for healthcare companies. They either bought your debt or work on commission to collect it.

If they’re calling or sending letters, you likely owe money to a medical provider. The debt could be from hospital bills, doctor visits, or other healthcare services.

Don’t ignore their contact attempts. Ignoring them won’t make the debt disappear.

Do You Have To Pay Frost-Arnett?

You must pay if they can prove the debt is valid. But first, make them validate the debt.

If they can’t validate it, you can dispute it. If the amount seems wrong, challenge it.

When the debt is valid, paying prevents serious consequences. Frost-Arnett can freeze your bank account or garnish your wages with a court order.

But you can negotiate to pay less than the full amount. Most debt collectors accept 40-60% of the original debt.

How To Negotiate a Debt Settlement With Frost-Arnett

Debt collection is a profitable business for companies like Frost-Arnett. They buy charged-off accounts for pennies on the dollar.

Even if they settle for 50% of what you owe, they still profit. You benefit by paying less and closing the account for good.

You can start the negotiation process yourself. Taking control gives you more power in the settlement.

Step 1: Validate the Debt

Request a debt validation letter if you haven’t received one. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau requires third-party collectors to send this letter.

You get 30 days to dispute the debt after receiving it.

The validation letter helps you confirm:

• The debt actually belongs to you
• Frost-Arnett legally owns or can collect the debt
• The debt amount is accurate

If the letter lacks sufficient details, send a debt verification letter. You can also use this letter to dispute the debt.

Once you confirm the debt is legitimate, calculate what you can afford to pay.

Step 2: Calculate What You Can Afford

Review your take-home pay and monthly expenses. List all your bills: car payments, credit cards, housing costs, utilities.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers free worksheets to help you organize your finances. You can find their debt worksheet and budgeting worksheet online.

Need extra help? Our partner Cambridge Credit Counseling offers free consultations with accredited nonprofit credit counselors.

Lump-Sum Payment vs Payment Plan

You can repay your debt in two ways: lump-sum or payment plan.

Debt collectors prefer lump-sum payments because they get money immediately. If you’re expecting a bonus or tax return, use it for one payment. You’ll likely negotiate a lower total amount with this option.

If you don’t have extra savings, choose a payment plan. Offer a monthly payment you can realistically afford.

Setting up automatic bank withdrawals can help you negotiate better terms. It shows Frost-Arnett you’re serious about paying.

Step 3: Make Your Settlement Offer

Now you know how much you can pay and your payment method. Call Frost-Arnett to make your offer.

Phone calls work better than letters for negotiations. You can respond to their counteroffers immediately.

Always request written confirmation of any agreement you reach. Don’t rely on verbal promises alone.

Medical Bills and Your Credit Score

Medical debt has different rules than other debts on your credit report. Check your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com for free.

As of May 2023, these medical debts shouldn’t appear on your credit report:

• Medical collections under $500
• Paid medical collections
• Medical collections less than one year old

If any of these appear on your report, dispute them. Removing them will likely boost your credit score.

After resolving your debt with Frost-Arnett, our partner Kikoff can help you rebuild your credit score through responsible credit-building tools.

Negotiating During a Lawsuit

You can still negotiate even if Frost-Arnett sues you. Many debt collection lawsuits settle before trial.

But you must actively participate in your lawsuit while negotiating. Keep showing up to court appearances and following court requirements.

Don’t ignore the lawsuit hoping settlement talks will save you. Continue your legal response until you have a written settlement agreement.

Tips for Successful Debt Settlement

Most people feel nervous negotiating with debt collectors. These tips will help you negotiate confidently:

• Stay calm and professional during phone calls
• Never agree to pay more than you can afford
• Get everything in writing before making payments
• Start with a lower offer than you can actually pay
• Don’t share unnecessary financial information
• Record the date, time, and name of everyone you speak with
• Never give collectors access to your bank account
• Request a pay-for-delete agreement if possible

Document every interaction with Frost-Arnett. Keep copies of all letters, emails, and notes from phone calls.

If you feel overwhelmed managing multiple debts, our partner Cambridge Credit Counseling can create a debt management plan with reduced interest rates and consolidated payments.

How To Beat Frost-Arnett in Court

Frost-Arnett rarely sues, but they have the legal right to. If they sue, you’ll receive a summons and complaint.

Responding to the lawsuit is critical. Ignoring it leads to a default judgment against you.

A default judgment allows Frost-Arnett to garnish wages or freeze bank accounts. Responding protects you from these consequences.

If you need help responding but can’t afford a lawyer, our partner Solo can help you draft an answer for free or a small fee.

Step 1: Read the Summons Carefully

Your summons notifies you of the lawsuit and summons you to court. It contains vital information for your response.

Your summons typically includes:

• The court’s name and address
• Your case number
• Details about all parties involved
• Instructions for responding
• Deadline for your response
• Consequences of not responding

The complaint outlines specific claims against you. Read each numbered paragraph carefully.

Step 2: Complete an Answer Form

Many courts provide blank answer form templates on their websites. Search for your court’s name plus “answer form” or “court forms.”

Your answer form is your official response to the lawsuit. You state reasons why Frost-Arnett shouldn’t win.

These reasons are called defenses or affirmative defenses. Common defenses include statute of limitations, lack of proof, or mistaken identity.

Contact your court clerk if you can’t find required forms. Court clerks help with paperwork but can’t give legal advice.

You may need additional forms like a certificate of service. Check your court’s website or ask the clerk.

Step 3: File and Serve Your Answer

File your completed answer form with the court before the deadline. Missing the deadline can result in automatic judgment against you.

Most courts allow filing in person, by mail, or online. Check your court’s specific requirements.

You must also serve a copy on Frost-Arnett or their lawyer. Serving means officially delivering your paperwork to them.

You can usually serve by certified mail. Some courts require professional process servers.

Keep proof of service for your records. You’ll need to show the court you properly served the plaintiff.

What Happens After You File Your Answer

After filing your answer, the case enters the discovery phase. Both sides exchange information and evidence.

Frost-Arnett must prove they own the debt and you owe the amount claimed. They need proper documentation.

Many debt collectors can’t produce adequate proof. If they can’t prove their case, you might win.

Settlement negotiations often intensify after you file an answer. Frost-Arnett knows you’re taking the lawsuit seriously.

You’re in a stronger negotiating position after showing you’ll fight the lawsuit.