TrueAccord Debt Collection: How to Settle or Dispute (2025 Guide)

TrueAccord just emailed you. Maybe they texted. The subject line says you owe money to a company you barely remember. The amount looks wrong. Or maybe it's right, and you're panicking because you don't have $3,000 sitting around.

TrueAccord is a digital debt collector. They bought your debt or they're collecting on behalf of someone else. Either way, they want their money. You have three moves: settle, dispute, or do nothing and risk a lawsuit.

This guide covers all three. By the end, you'll know exactly what TrueAccord can and can't do, how much you might settle for, and when to call a lawyer.

What Is TrueAccord and Why Are They Contacting You?

TrueAccord Corp is a debt collection agency licensed in all 50 states. They collect for credit card companies, online lenders, medical providers, and tribal lenders. Unlike traditional collectors who call you relentlessly, TrueAccord operates digitally. You get an email or text with a link to a payment portal.

They either bought your debt for pennies on the dollar after your original creditor gave up, or they're collecting on commission. If they bought it, they paid maybe 4 to 8 cents per dollar owed. That means they have room to negotiate.

TrueAccord operates under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). They can't threaten you, call before 8 a.m. Or after 9 p.m., or lie about what you owe. They must validate the debt if you ask. And you absolutely should ask.

Your First Move: Request Debt Validation

Do not pay anything until you verify the debt is real and the amount is correct. Debt collectors make mistakes. They buy portfolios of thousands of accounts, and sometimes the data is wrong. You might not owe anything. The statute of limitations might have expired. Or the amount might be inflated with bogus fees.

Send TrueAccord a debt validation letter within 30 days of their first contact. Use this exact language:

"I dispute this debt. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I request that you provide verification of this debt, including the original creditor's name, the original amount owed, an itemized accounting of any fees or interest added, and proof that you are authorized to collect on this account. Until you provide this information, I request that you cease all collection activity."

Send it certified mail. TrueAccord must stop collection efforts until they send you proof. Many collectors drag their feet on validation because they can't actually prove you owe the debt. If they don't respond within 30 days, they're legally required to stop contacting you.

What If the Debt Is Legitimate?

Once you get validation documents, check for:

• The original creditor's name matches your records
• The original debt amount is accurate
• Fees and interest comply with your state's laws (some states cap interest on old debts)
• The statute of limitations hasn't expired in your state

If everything checks out, you move to option two: settle.

How to Settle Debt With TrueAccord for Less

TrueAccord settles. Debt collectors almost always do, because getting 50% of something beats getting 100% of nothing. Your goal is to pay the lowest amount possible in exchange for them closing the account and reporting it as settled to the credit bureaus.

Step 1: Know Your Leverage

If TrueAccord bought your debt for 6 cents on the dollar, they profit on anything above that. A $5,000 debt cost them $300. If you offer $1,500, they make $1,200. That's a 400% return. They'll take it.

Your leverage increases if:

• The debt is old (more than 3 years past the original charge-off)
• You're judgment-proof (no wages to garnish, no assets to seize)
• You're considering bankruptcy
• The statute of limitations is about to expire

Step 2: Make a Lowball Offer

Start at 20-30% of the balance. If you owe $4,000, offer $1,000. TrueAccord will likely counter at 60-70%. You negotiate to 40-50%. Most settlements land between 40-60% of the original debt.

Call TrueAccord at (866) 611-2731 or use their online portal. Say this:

"I can't afford the full amount. I can pay $1,000 as a lump sum if you agree to settle this debt in full and report it to the credit bureaus as 'paid in full' or 'settled.' I need this in writing before I send payment."

Do not pay until you have a written settlement agreement. Email counts. The agreement must state:

• The settlement amount
• That this payment satisfies the debt in full
• That TrueAccord will report the account as settled or paid to all three credit bureaus
• That they will not pursue you for the remaining balance

Step 3: Pay and Confirm

Once you have the written agreement, pay via the portal or certified check. Keep proof. Wait 45 days, then pull your credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Verify the account shows as settled. If it doesn't, file a dispute with the credit bureaus and send TrueAccord a copy of your settlement letter.

What If You Can't Afford a Lump Sum?

TrueAccord offers payment plans. Their platform lets you set up monthly installments. This keeps them off your back, but you'll pay more over time because they rarely discount the balance for payment plans.

If you're broke, tell them. Say you're considering bankruptcy. That word makes collectors nervous. They know bankruptcy wipes out unsecured debt, and they'll get nothing. Mentioning it often triggers a better settlement offer.

If you're genuinely insolvent, bankruptcy might be the better option. You can check if you qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in under 90 seconds. If you do, most unsecured debts disappear. TrueAccord gets nothing, and you get a fresh start.

Can TrueAccord Sue You?

Yes. If you ignore them long enough, they can file a lawsuit to obtain a judgment. Once they have a judgment, they can garnish your wages (up to 25% in most states), freeze your bank account, or put a lien on your property.

The good news: most debt collectors don't sue unless the debt is large (over $2,000) and recent (under 4 years old). Lawsuits cost money. TrueAccord would rather settle.

But if they do sue, you must respond. If you ignore a lawsuit, you lose by default. The court grants a judgment, and your wages get garnished. If you're served with a lawsuit, talk to a bankruptcy attorney immediately. You might still have time to file bankruptcy and stop the lawsuit cold.

What's the Statute of Limitations on Your Debt?

Every state has a statute of limitations on debt collection. Once it expires, TrueAccord can't sue you. They can still ask for payment, but they can't take you to court.

The clock starts when you last made a payment or acknowledged the debt in writing. Statutes range from 3 to 10 years depending on your state and the type of debt. For example:

• California: 4 years for credit card debt
• Texas: 4 years
• New York: 6 years
• Ohio: 6 years
• Kentucky: 5 years

If your debt is past the statute of limitations, do not make a payment. Do not acknowledge the debt in writing. Both actions restart the clock. Instead, send TrueAccord a letter stating the debt is time-barred and demanding they stop contacting you.

How TrueAccord Impacts Your Credit

TrueAccord reports to all three credit bureaus. A collection account tanks your credit score by 50 to 100 points. It stays on your report for 7 years from the date of the original delinquency.

Settling the debt helps, but it doesn't erase the collection account. It will show as "settled" or "paid," which is better than "unpaid," but it still drags your score down. The damage decreases over time. After 2-3 years, the impact fades. After 7 years, it disappears.

If you're rebuilding credit, focus on opening a secured credit card and making on-time payments. That matters more than an old settled collection.

What If TrueAccord Violates the FDCPA?

Debt collectors break the law constantly. If TrueAccord does any of the following, you can sue them:

• Calls before 8 a.m. Or after 9 p.m.
• Threatens you with arrest or violence
• Lies about the amount you owe or adds fake fees
• Contacts your employer or family members about the debt (except to locate you)
• Continues contacting you after you send a cease-and-desist letter
• Fails to provide debt validation after you request it

If they violate the FDCPA, you can sue for up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus attorney fees. Document everything: save emails, record calls (if legal in your state), and keep a log of contact dates and times. Then call a consumer protection attorney. Many work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront.

Should You Just Ignore TrueAccord?

Ignoring them is an option, but a risky one. If the debt is small (under $1,000), old (over 5 years), and past the statute of limitations, they'll probably give up. But if the debt is recent and large, they might sue. And if they sue and you ignore the lawsuit, you lose.

If you're going to ignore TrueAccord, at least send a cease-and-desist letter. This stops the calls and emails. They can still sue, but they can't harass you. Use this language:

"Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I demand that you cease all communication with me regarding this alleged debt. This includes phone calls, emails, text messages, and letters. If you continue to contact me, I will file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and pursue legal action."

Send it certified mail. Once they receive it, they must stop contacting you (except to confirm they're stopping or to notify you of a lawsuit).

When to File Bankruptcy Instead

If TrueAccord is one of several creditors hounding you, bankruptcy might be smarter than settling. Chapter 7 wipes out credit card debt, medical bills, personal loans, and collection accounts in about 4 months. You keep your house, car, and most personal property. Your credit takes a hit, but you're already drowning in debt. The hit might be worth the fresh start.

You qualify for Chapter 7 if your income is below your state's median or if you pass the means test. Most people with debt problems qualify. Check if you qualify here. It takes 90 seconds.

If you file, TrueAccord must stop all collection activity immediately. They get nothing. The debt disappears. If you're facing multiple lawsuits or wage garnishment, bankruptcy is often the only way out.

The Bottom Line

TrueAccord is a debt collector, not a boogeyman. They follow the law (mostly). You have options: validate the debt, settle for less, dispute it, or file bankruptcy. The worst move is ignoring them without a plan. If you're overwhelmed, talk to a bankruptcy attorney. Most offer free consultations. You'll know within 20 minutes whether bankruptcy makes sense or whether you should settle.