Sued by Unifund? How to Respond and Win Your Case

Being sued by a debt collector is stressful. When Unifund files a lawsuit against you, they’re trying to collect on old debt they purchased.

You likely owe a debt they bought from your original creditor. If you don’t respond properly, Unifund could garnish your wages or seize your property.

Don't Let Unifund Win By Default

You have 14-35 days to respond to Unifund's lawsuit before they can garnish your wages. Respond now and protect your income and assets from collection.

File Your Answer Now

You have options. You can fight back, negotiate, and potentially win your case.

Here’s everything you need to know about responding to a Unifund lawsuit.

Who Is Unifund?

Unifund CCR Partners is a third-party debt buyer. They purchase old, charged-off debts for pennies on the dollar.

You’ve probably never heard of them before they contacted you. They buy debts from original creditors and try to collect the full amount.

Unifund might claim you owe them money even though you never borrowed from them. If you fell behind on credit card payments, Unifund may have purchased that debt.

They now own your debt and want to collect the remaining balance.

Contact Information for Unifund

Phone: 1-888-384-8171
Address: 10625 Techwoods Circle, Cincinnati, OH 45242
Email: info@unifund.com
Website: unifund.com/contact

Who Does Unifund Collect For?

Unifund purchases delinquent accounts from various companies. They collect on debts from credit card companies, student loan servicers, and auto lenders.

Major banks like Citibank and Capital One sell their bad debts to Unifund. The company then pursues collection through calls, letters, and lawsuits.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you from abusive collection tactics. Unifund must follow strict rules when contacting you.

Debt collectors cannot:

Contact you before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.
Call you more than seven times in seven days
Continue contacting you after receiving a cease-and-desist letter
Contact your family, friends, or coworkers about your debt
Threaten arrest for non-payment
Use abusive, vulgar, or profane language
Pretend to be a government agency
Refuse to provide debt validation

If Unifund violates these rules, report them immediately. File a complaint with the FTC at 877-382-4357 or the CFPB at 855-411-2372.

Request Debt Validation from Unifund

When Unifund first contacts you, send a debt validation letter. They must provide documentation showing the balance and original creditor information.

Failing to validate your debt violates FDCPA guidelines. They cannot continue collection efforts without providing this proof.

You have 30 days from their first contact to request validation. Send your request via certified mail with return receipt.

Even if Unifund already filed a lawsuit, you can still challenge the debt. You just need to respond to the lawsuit quickly.

How to Respond to a Unifund Lawsuit

You can represent yourself and win against Unifund. Your first step is filing a written Answer with the court.

You typically have 14 to 35 days to respond after receiving the summons. The deadline depends on your state and how you were served.

Missing this deadline means an automatic default judgment. Unifund can then garnish your wages or place liens on your property.

Our partner Solo can help you draft your Answer in minutes.

Six Tips for Drafting Your Answer

Keep it simple. Respond directly to each claim in the Complaint. Admit, deny, or deny due to lack of knowledge.
Deny most claims. Force Unifund to prove their case with evidence and documentation.
Include affirmative defenses. Common defenses include statute of limitations, lack of standing, or improper service.
Use proper formatting. Include a caption with court information, party names, and case number.
Add a certificate of service. Verify you sent a copy to Unifund at their correct address.
Sign your Answer. Courts reject unsigned documents, so don’t skip this crucial step.

Understanding Affirmative Defenses

Affirmative defenses are legal reasons why Unifund shouldn’t win. The statute of limitations is the most common defense.

Every state has time limits for collecting old debts. If your debt is too old, the lawsuit is invalid.

Other defenses include mistaken identity, debt already paid, or bankruptcy discharge. You can raise multiple defenses in your Answer.

How to Avoid Wage Garnishment

The best way to avoid garnishment is responding to the lawsuit immediately. File your Answer before the deadline.

When you respond and deny the claims, Unifund often drops the case. They purchased your debt for about 4% of the original amount.

Proving their case costs time and money. Many debt buyers give up when consumers fight back.

Fighting the lawsuit prevents both wage garnishment and judgments on your credit report.

Negotiate a Settlement with Unifund

Unifund bought your debt for a fraction of what you owe. They hope to collect the full amount or at least triple their investment.

You can often settle for 25% to 50% of the balance. Start with a low offer and negotiate from there.

Explain your financial hardship calmly and professionally. Provide evidence if possible, like pay stubs or medical bills.

Don’t agree to any settlement you can’t afford. Walk away if the terms don’t work for your budget.

Always get settlement agreements in writing before paying anything.

Settlement During a Lawsuit

If you settle while the lawsuit is pending, Unifund should dismiss the case. Some collectors agree to settle but continue legal action anyway.

Always file your Answer first. Filing protects you from default judgment while you negotiate.

Once you reach an agreement, request a dismissal with prejudice in writing. A dismissal with prejudice means they cannot sue you again for the same debt.

What Unifund Reviews Tell You

Online reviews of Unifund are mixed. Some consumers report positive experiences while others share frustrating encounters.

Reading reviews helps you prepare for negotiations. You’ll see common tactics and successful strategies.

Check these sources for Unifund reviews:

Google Maps reviews
Better Business Bureau complaints
CFPB Consumer Complaint Database

Despite mixed reviews, many collectors will negotiate reasonable settlements. Unifund often works with consumers to resolve debts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t ignore the lawsuit. Ignoring it guarantees you lose through default judgment.

Don’t admit to owing the debt without seeing proof. Make Unifund validate every detail.

Don’t make payments without a written settlement agreement. Partial payments can restart the statute of limitations.

Don’t give access to your bank account for automatic withdrawals. Only make settlement payments you can afford.

Don’t accept the first settlement offer. Debt buyers often agree to lower amounts after negotiation.

What Happens After You File Your Answer

After filing your Answer, Unifund has several options. They may dismiss the case if they lack evidence.

They might send discovery requests asking for information. You can send your own discovery requests too.

The court will schedule a hearing or trial date. Many cases settle before reaching trial.

If Unifund doesn’t appear at the hearing, request dismissal. If they do appear without proof, argue for dismissal.

Understanding Statute of Limitations by State

The statute of limitations varies by state. It ranges from three to ten years for most debts.

The clock starts from your last payment or last account activity. Making a payment restarts the clock.

Check your state’s statute of limitations for written contracts. Credit card debts usually fall under this category.

If the debt is time-barred, raise this defense in your Answer. Unifund must prove the debt is still collectible.

Take Action Against Unifund Today

You have the power to fight back against debt collection lawsuits. Responding quickly protects your rights and assets.

File your Answer before the deadline. Deny claims that aren’t proven. Include strong affirmative defenses.

Negotiate from a position of strength. Remember that Unifund bought your debt for very little money.

Don’t let fear or confusion lead to default judgment. You can win this case with the right approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Unifund CCR?

Unifund CCR is a third-party debt buyer that purchases old, charged-off debts from original creditors. They buy debts for a fraction of the original amount and attempt to collect the full balance through phone calls, letters, and lawsuits.

How do I respond to a Unifund lawsuit?

File a written Answer with the court within your state's deadline, typically 14-35 days. In your Answer, respond to each claim by admitting, denying, or denying due to lack of knowledge. Include affirmative defenses like statute of limitations and serve a copy to Unifund.

Can I negotiate a settlement with Unifund?

Yes, you can negotiate a settlement for much less than the full amount. Start with a low offer around 25% of the balance and negotiate from there. Always get any settlement agreement in writing before making payments.

What happens if I ignore a Unifund lawsuit?

If you ignore the lawsuit, the court will enter a default judgment against you. Unifund can then garnish your wages, freeze your bank account, or place liens on your property to collect the debt.

How long does Unifund have to sue me for old debt?

The statute of limitations varies by state, typically ranging from three to ten years. The clock starts from your last payment or account activity. If the debt is past your state's statute of limitations, you can raise this as a defense in your Answer.

Sued by Unifund? Here’s How to Respond and Win Your Case