What to Do If You’ve Been Sued by Hollis Cobb Associates

Hollis Cobb Associates is contacting you about a debt. You need to act quickly to protect yourself. A lawsuit from any debt collector feels overwhelming. But you have rights and options.

Ignoring the lawsuit is the worst choice you can make. Debt collectors win most cases by default when people don’t respond. You can fight back and potentially settle for less than you owe.

What Is Hollis Cobb Associates?

Hollis Cobb Associates is a debt collection company founded in 1977. The company operates from Norcross, Georgia. Hollis Cobb has connections to several related entities including Diversified Accounts System and Bibb Collection Service.

The company primarily collects medical and healthcare debts. Hollis Cobb purchases delinquent accounts from hospitals, clinics, and medical providers. They then attempt to collect the full balance from consumers.

Who Does Hollis Cobb Collect For?

Hollis Cobb generally pursues delinquent accounts for companies in the medical sector. Medical debt is one of the most common types of debt in America. Healthcare providers sell unpaid bills to collection agencies like Hollis Cobb.

What Consumers Say About Hollis Cobb

Online reviews of Hollis Cobb Associates show mixed experiences. Some consumers report professional interactions when resolving debts. Others describe more aggressive collection tactics.

One consumer named Rebecca shared her experience. She found the Hollis Cobb representative professional and helpful. The payment website was easy to use.

Reviews show that Hollis Cobb will work with you to resolve debt. Communication is critically important throughout the process.

If negotiating over the phone feels intimidating, our partner Solo can help you respond to the lawsuit and negotiate a settlement online.

Your Rights Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you from abusive collection practices. The Federal Trade Commission enforces this consumer protection law.

Debt collectors cannot:

• Use obscene or profane language when contacting you
• Call you outside of 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. your local time
• Call you at work after you’ve told them it’s not allowed
• Discuss your debt with anyone except you, your spouse, or attorney
• Pretend to be police officers or government agents
• Make threats they cannot legally carry out
• Threaten actions they have no intention of taking

Document any FDCPA violations by Hollis Cobb. You may be able to countersue for up to $1,000 plus legal fees.

How to Negotiate a Settlement With Hollis Cobb

You can negotiate to settle your debt for less than the full amount. Debt collectors often accept reduced payments, especially lump sum offers. Settlement negotiations can happen at any stage, even after being sued.

Follow these steps to negotiate effectively:

1. Calculate what you can realistically afford to pay. Consider your monthly expenses and available savings. Can you pay 40% or 50% of the debt?
2. Start with a low initial offer to leave negotiation room. Submit your offer in writing through a debt settlement letter. Keep all communications in writing.
3. Negotiate back and forth until you reach an acceptable amount. Stay within your budget constraints.
4. Draft a debt settlement agreement before making any payment. Both parties should sign this document.
5. Pay the agreed amount by the specified deadline. Get written confirmation of payment and debt satisfaction.

Never admit the debt is valid during negotiations. Always require Hollis Cobb to prove you owe the money.

What to Do If Hollis Cobb Sues You

Respond to the Lawsuit Immediately

Failing to respond is the biggest mistake you can make. You must file a written Answer to the lawsuit. The summons tells you exactly how many days you have to respond.

Ignoring the lawsuit guarantees you lose. Hollis Cobb will obtain a default judgment against you. A judgment allows them to garnish your wages or freeze your bank account.

They can also add attorney fees, court costs, and interest to your balance. The debt grows significantly larger with a judgment.

Your Answer should include these elements:

• Never admit you owe the debt
• Force Hollis Cobb to prove every element of their case
• File the Answer with the Clerk of Court before the deadline
• Get a stamped copy from the Clerk for your records
• Send a stamped copy to Hollis Cobb’s attorney via certified mail

Our partner Solo helps you draft and file your Answer quickly. You can respond to Hollis Cobb without hiring an expensive attorney.

Challenge Their Legal Right to Sue

Debt gets sold multiple times before reaching collection agencies. Hollis Cobb must prove they own your debt and have the right to sue.

Many debt collectors cannot provide proper documentation. The chain of custody often has gaps or missing paperwork.

Hollis Cobb must provide:

• The original credit agreement with your signature
• Complete documentation showing the debt was sold to them
• Account statements proving the balance they claim

If they cannot produce these documents, the judge may dismiss the case. You must ask for this documentation in your Answer.

Make Them Meet Their Burden of Proof

The burden of proof lies entirely with Hollis Cobb. They must prove three critical elements:

• You are personally responsible for the debt
• They have the legal right to sue you
• You owe the specific amount they claim

Judges will not investigate these facts on their own. You must raise these defenses in your Answer. Force Hollis Cobb to prove every detail of their case.

Check the Statute of Limitations

Every state has a statute of limitations on debt collection lawsuits. The time limit typically ranges from three to six years.

The clock starts on the date of your last account activity. Making a payment, using a credit card, or taking a loan disbursement counts as activity.

If the statute of limitations has passed, the debt is time-barred. Hollis Cobb cannot legally sue you for time-barred debt.

Important warnings about time-barred debt:

• Making even a small payment can restart the statute of limitations
• Some debt collectors pressure you to pay just to restart the clock
• Never make a payment until you verify the statute of limitations
• Acknowledging the debt in writing may also restart the clock

Raise the statute of limitations as a defense in your Answer. The judge will dismiss the case if the debt is too old.

Consider Countersuing for FDCPA Violations

Hollis Cobb may have violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. If they used illegal collection tactics, you can countersue.

Successful FDCPA counterclaims can result in:

• Up to $1,000 in statutory damages
• Payment of your attorney fees and court costs
• Actual damages for emotional distress or lost wages

Document every interaction with Hollis Cobb. Save voicemails, letters, and text messages as evidence. Record the date, time, and content of all phone calls.

Never Admit Fault for the Debt

Never admit you owe the debt until Hollis Cobb proves their case. Admitting fault eliminates your defenses and bargaining power.

Even if you believe you owe the money, remain silent. Hollis Cobb must still prove every element of their lawsuit. They often cannot produce the required documentation.

Examine all your options before making decisions. Check the statute of limitations carefully. Review potential FDCPA violations.

Most importantly, respond to the lawsuit before the deadline. A timely Answer gives you time to negotiate settlement without a judgment.

You have the power to fight back against Hollis Cobb. Take action today to protect your rights and finances.