What Happens If You Default on an Avant Payment?

By Talk About Debt Team
Reviewed by Ben Jackson
Last Updated: February 16, 2026
4 min read
The Bottom Line

Avant can charge off your account after 120 days and damage your credit severely. The company rarely sells debt but keeps collections in-house, making settlement negotiations possible. Always get any payment agreement in writing before sending money to Avant.

Respond to Avant

Avant is an online lending platform that launched in 2012. The company aims to lower borrowing costs for everyday people through data-driven processes.

You can check your interest rate without affecting your credit score. Funding often arrives as soon as the next business day. The mobile app makes loan management convenient.

Avant Taking You to Court? Respond in 15 Minutes

Don't let Avant win by default. File your answer to the lawsuit and protect your rights. Our partner Solo makes it simple to respond before your deadline.

Answer the Lawsuit

Avant accepts borrowers with low credit scores. However, the company charges higher interest rates than many competitors. Administrative fees and late fees add to your costs. These practices can trap borrowers in a cycle of debt.

What Happens When You Miss an Avant Payment

Avant differs from traditional banks and other online lenders in several ways. Understanding these differences helps you protect your credit and finances.

Credit Damage Starts After 120 Days

Avant can charge off your account after just 120 days of nonpayment. A charge-off appears on your credit report as a significant negative mark. Your credit score will drop substantially.

A charge-off signals the highest level of delinquency to future lenders. You need to act quickly when you miss a payment. Our partner Solo can help you respond if Avant takes legal action.

Avant Rarely Sells Debt to Third Parties

Many online lenders sell delinquent accounts to debt buyers. Avant takes a different approach. The company keeps collections in-house and continues pursuing payment directly.

Avant rarely files lawsuits against borrowers. The company prefers to protect its online reputation. You’ll likely deal with Avant’s collection department rather than outside agencies.

Get Settlement Agreements in Writing

Avant may offer to settle your debt for less than you owe. Always get any agreement in writing before making payments. The collections department may sound agreeable but verbal promises mean nothing.

Document every conversation with date, time, and details. Request written confirmation before sending any money. A debt management program may lower your interest rate significantly.

Avant Customer Complaints and Reputation

Avant claims a 95% customer satisfaction rate on its website. The Better Business Bureau tells a different story. The company has just 1.5 stars from 93 reviews and 195 complaints.

The Federal Trade Commission fined Avant $3.85 million in 2019. The company engaged in deceptive loan servicing practices. Avant charged unauthorized fees and forced automatic payment enrollment. The fine was returned to harmed customers.

Your Payment Options With Avant

Contact Avant before you fall behind on payments. Ask about hardship plans that temporarily lower your monthly payment. You may qualify for reduced payments during financial difficulties.

Make sure any payment plan fits your budget. Only agree to terms you can actually afford. Breaking a payment plan makes your situation worse.

Consider negotiating a settlement for less than the full balance. You’ll need cash available to make a lump sum payment. Can you save enough money to offer 50% of what you owe?

Accumulate funds through reduced spending and additional income sources. A settlement requires immediate payment ability. Plan your strategy before contacting Avant’s collections department.

How to Prevent Future Payment Defaults

Create a realistic monthly budget and stick to it. Track every transaction to identify wasteful spending. Cut entertainment and dining expenses to prioritize debt payments.

Set up credit monitoring alerts on your accounts. You’ll receive notifications before accounts become delinquent. Early warnings help you avoid financial emergencies.

Send a debt validation letter if you believe Avant made errors. Our partner Solo provides templates for debt validation requests. Avant must respond within 30 days with complete debt documentation.

Review the response for errors in balance, payment history, or dates. Any mistakes could make the debt legally unenforceable. Verify every detail before agreeing to pay.

Your Rights When Dealing With Avant Collections

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you from abusive tactics. Avant must follow federal laws even for in-house collections. You have the right to request debt verification.

Collectors cannot harass you with excessive calls or threats. Document any violations of your legal rights. Report improper behavior to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

You can request that Avant communicate only in writing. Send a cease contact letter via certified mail. The company must honor your request with limited exceptions.

If Avant files a lawsuit, you must respond within the deadline. Ignoring a summons results in automatic judgment against you. Our partner Solo helps you file an answer to debt collection lawsuits.

You have defenses available even if you owe the debt. Challenge incorrect amounts, expired statutes of limitations, or improper documentation. A proper legal response protects your rights in court.

Debt collectors must prove they own the debt and the amount is accurate. Many lawsuits fail due to insufficient evidence. Don’t let them win by default.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I miss a payment with Avant?

Avant can charge off your account after 120 days of missed payments. A charge-off severely damages your credit score and appears as a major negative mark on your credit report. Avant typically keeps collections in-house rather than selling your debt to third parties.

Can I negotiate a settlement with Avant?

Yes, Avant may accept a settlement for less than the full balance owed. However, you must get any settlement agreement in writing before making payments. The collections department may sound agreeable verbally, but written confirmation is essential to protect yourself.

How do I respond if Avant sues me?

You must file an answer to the lawsuit within the deadline stated in your summons. Ignoring the lawsuit results in automatic judgment against you. Our partner Solo can help you prepare and file a proper legal response to defend your rights in court.

What is a debt validation letter and when should I send one?

A debt validation letter requests that Avant prove the debt is yours and the amount is correct. Send this letter if you believe there are errors in reporting or the debt amount. Avant must respond within 30 days with complete documentation of the debt.

Can Avant charge unauthorized fees to my account?

The FTC fined Avant $3.85 million in 2019 for charging unauthorized fees and forcing automatic payments. While Avant settled that case, you should monitor your account carefully and report any unauthorized charges to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.