If you’ve fallen behind on your cell phone, internet, or cable bill, the company can send your account to collections or cancel your service. This kind of debt is a consumer debt — it’s not like taxes or criminal fines — but it can still hurt your credit, make it harder to get service in the future, and lead to a lawsuit.
How this debt works
- Cell phone and internet bills are usually covered by a written service contract. If you don’t pay, the company can charge late fees and early termination fees.
- If your account is sent to a debt collector, you may start getting calls or letters. Collectors must follow the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Learn about responding to collectors on Illinois Legal Aid Online's website.
- If the company or collector sues you and wins, they can try to garnish your wages or take money from your bank account.
Your rights
- You can ask the collector to validate the debt and show that they have the right to collect it.
- In Illinois, most written contracts have a 10-year statute of limitations. Not all agreements in writing count, so it might be 5 years. Payments or written promises to pay can restart the clock.
- Collectors can’t threaten you, call you at odd hours, or lie to you.
Your options
- Catch up – If possible, pay the past-due amount to restore service.
- Negotiate – Ask for a lower lump-sum settlement or a payment plan in writing.
- Dispute – If the bill is wrong, put your dispute in writing and keep copies.
Help and resources:
- Illinois Legal Aid Online has information about responding to debt collectors.