Trident Asset Management Called? Here's What You Do Next

Trident Asset Management bought your debt. They called. Maybe they sent a letter. Now you're wondering if you can ignore them or if this will blow up into a lawsuit.

Short answer: you can't ignore them. But you can respond strategically and force them to prove the debt is legitimate before you pay a dime.

Here's what you need to know about Trident Asset Management, what debts they chase, and the exact steps to take when they contact you.

Who Is Trident Asset Management?

Trident Asset Management (TAM) is a third-party debt buyer based in Alpharetta, Georgia. Founded in 2007, they specialize in purchasing charged-off debts from original creditors — often for 3 to 10 cents on the dollar , then collecting the full balance from consumers.

TAM doesn't lend money. They buy portfolios of delinquent accounts from credit card companies, medical providers, auto lenders, utilities, and telecom companies. Their business model is simple: buy low, collect high, sue if necessary.

They're licensed to operate in all 50 states and collect on both secured debt (car loans, mortgages) and unsecured debt (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans). According to Better Business Bureau data, TAM has handled over 1,200 complaints in the past three years, most related to attempts to collect debts consumers claim they don't owe.

What Debts Does Trident Asset Management Collect?

TAM chases a wide range of consumer debts:

• Credit card debt: Accounts typically 90 to 180 days past due
• Medical bills: Hospital, emergency room, and specialist balances
• Auto loans: Deficiency balances after repossession
• Personal loans: Unsecured installment loans from banks or online lenders
• Utility bills: Electric, gas, water, and telecom services
• Student loans: Private student loans (not federal)

Once your original creditor charges off the debt , usually after six months of non-payment , they often sell it to a buyer like TAM. At that point, TAM becomes the legal owner of the debt and has the right to collect.

How Trident Asset Management Operates

TAM uses a multi-channel collection strategy:

Phone calls: Expect daily calls, sometimes multiple times per day. They'll call your cell, your work line if they have it, and any secondary numbers on file.

Letters: You'll receive a formal collection notice within five days of first contact. This is required under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

Credit reporting: TAM reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A collections account can drop your credit score by 50 to 100 points.

Lawsuits: If you don't respond or negotiate, TAM will sue. Court records show they file thousands of collection lawsuits each year. If they win by default , which happens when you don't show up , they can garnish your wages or freeze your bank account.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act gives you specific protections when dealing with debt collectors like TAM:

• They can't call before 8 a.m. Or after 9 p.m. In your time zone
• They can't contact you at work if you tell them your employer prohibits it
• They can't threaten you with arrest or violence
• They can't lie about the amount you owe or misrepresent their identity
• They must send a written validation notice within five days of first contact

If TAM violates these rules, you can sue them for up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus attorney fees. Document every interaction. Save voicemails. Screenshot call logs.

Step 1: Request Debt Validation Within 30 Days

When you receive TAM's collection letter, the clock starts ticking. You have 30 days to send a debt validation letter , a formal request for proof that the debt is legitimate and that TAM has the legal right to collect it.

Send your letter via certified mail with return receipt. Include your account number and state clearly: "I dispute this debt and request validation."

Once TAM receives your validation request, they must stop all collection activity until they provide:

• The original creditor's name
• The amount owed, including any added interest or fees
• Documentation proving you owe the debt (usually a copy of the original contract or billing statements)
• Proof that TAM owns the debt or has been assigned the right to collect it

If they can't provide this documentation, they're legally barred from collecting. You can also dispute the account with the credit bureaus and have it removed.

Step 2: Check the Statute of Limitations

Every state has a statute of limitations on debt collection , typically three to six years for credit card debt, depending on your state. Once the statute expires, the debt is "time-barred." TAM can still try to collect, but they can't sue you and win.

Important: if you make a payment or even acknowledge the debt in writing, you may restart the statute of limitations. Don't confirm anything until you've checked your state's laws.

If the debt is time-barred, send TAM a letter stating that the statute has expired and you will not be making payments. Cite your state law. They must stop collection attempts.

Step 3: Negotiate a Settlement (If the Debt Is Valid)

If TAM validates the debt and it's within the statute of limitations, you have three options: pay in full, set up a payment plan, or negotiate a settlement.

TAM paid pennies for your debt. They'll often settle for 30% to 50% of the balance. Start by offering 25%. Negotiate from there. Get everything in writing before you pay.

Your settlement agreement should include:

• The agreed settlement amount
• A statement that this payment resolves the debt in full
• A promise to delete the collection account from your credit report (known as "pay for delete")

Never give TAM direct access to your bank account. Pay via money order or check. Keep proof of payment.

If you're juggling multiple debts and considering bankruptcy, take our bankruptcy screener to see if Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 makes sense for your situation.

What Happens If You Ignore Trident Asset Management?

Ignoring TAM won't make them go away. Here's what happens:

Month 1-3: Daily phone calls, letters, and credit bureau reporting.

Month 4-6: Escalation to legal department. You'll receive a "final notice" letter.

Month 7+: Lawsuit filed in your county court. You'll be served with a summons and complaint.

Once TAM sues, you have 20 to 30 days to file an answer (varies by state). If you don't respond, they win a default judgment. That judgment allows them to garnish up to 25% of your wages or freeze your bank account until the debt is paid.

If you've already been sued, don't panic. You can still respond, file an answer, and force TAM to prove their case in court. Many collection lawsuits fall apart because the debt buyer can't produce the original contract or chain of ownership documents.

How to Stop Trident Asset Management From Calling

You have two legal options to stop TAM's calls:

Option 1: Send a cease-and-desist letter. Under the FDCPA, you can demand that TAM stop all phone contact. They must comply. However, they can still sue you. Use this option carefully.

Option 2: Respond and resolve the debt. Once you validate, negotiate, or dispute the debt, the calls stop naturally.

If TAM continues calling after you've sent a cease-and-desist, document it and consult a consumer rights attorney. You may have grounds for an FDCPA lawsuit.

Can Trident Asset Management Garnish Your Wages?

Yes, but only after they sue you and win a judgment. Wage garnishment rules vary by state. In some states, creditors can take up to 25% of your disposable income. In others (like Texas, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina), wage garnishment for consumer debt is prohibited.

If you're already facing garnishment, you can challenge it by filing a claim of exemption (if you qualify based on income or hardship) or by filing bankruptcy, which triggers an automatic stay and halts all collection actions immediately.

If garnishment would push you into financial collapse, bankruptcy may be your best option. Chapter 7 wipes out unsecured debts like credit cards and medical bills in about four months.

How to Remove Trident Asset Management From Your Credit Report

A TAM collection account can stay on your credit report for up to seven years from the date of first delinquency. But you can remove it sooner if:

• The debt is inaccurate or unverifiable
• TAM agrees to a "pay for delete" settlement
• You successfully dispute it with the credit bureaus

To dispute, send a letter to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion stating that the TAM account is inaccurate. Attach copies of your debt validation request and any response (or lack of response) from TAM. The bureaus have 30 days to investigate. If TAM can't verify the debt, the account must be removed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't ignore the first letter. Your 30-day validation window is critical. Miss it, and TAM can proceed without proving the debt.

Don't make a payment to "stop the calls." A partial payment resets the statute of limitations and is seen as acknowledgment that you owe the debt.

Don't give TAM your bank account or Social Security number. They already have enough information. Don't make it easier for them to garnish you later.

Don't admit the debt is yours over the phone. Any verbal acknowledgment can be used against you in court.

When to Talk to a Lawyer

You need legal help if:

• TAM has sued you and you've been served with a summons
• They're violating the FDCPA (threatening arrest, calling after you've sent a cease-and-desist, misrepresenting the debt)
• The debt is large (over $5,000) and TAM won't negotiate
• You're facing wage garnishment or bank levies

Many consumer rights attorneys work on contingency for FDCPA cases. That means you don't pay unless you win. Start with a free consultation.

The Bottom Line

Trident Asset Management is aggressive, but they're bound by federal law. You have 30 days to force them to validate the debt. If they can't, they lose the right to collect. If they can, negotiate a settlement or explore bankruptcy if the debt is unmanageable. Don't ignore them. Don't pay blindly. Respond strategically, and you stay in control.