Being chased for debt?
Stand watch. You have rights — and a path up.
A free, private Sentinel journey shows your deadlines, your shields, and your climb to debt-free — with free help at every step. No account. No sales.
- 70%
- of debt suits end in default — people don’t respond (Pew)
- 4 yrs
- time bar on old written-contract debt (CA, estimate)
- $0
- cost · no account, no sales, no referral fees
Verify in writing. Never by phone.
One rule protects every step: the threats are interest drains, scams, fake collectors, and missed deadlines — never “all lenders.” Lender hardship teams can be allies.
- 1
Verify every claim in writing — by mail or email, never by phone.
- 2
Never give personal or financial details to an unknown caller.
- 3
Always answer a court summons — by the deadline.
- 4
Answer government agencies (IRS, FTB, EDD, SBA, Treasury) — in writing.
- 5
Everyone else must prove the debt on paper first.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), 15 U.S.C. §1692 · California Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Civ. Code §1788 · California Code of Civil Procedure §337 (4-year limitations)
Who you must answer — and who must prove it first
You MUST answer
Court summons
Answer within ~30 days. Not answering usually ends in default judgment.
Levy or garnishment notice
Claim of exemption within 10 days (California).
Tax agencies — IRS, FTB, EDD
Federal/state debts have special collection powers. Answer in writing.
SBA demand letter
60-day window before Treasury referral. Act before it escalates.
U.S. Treasury notices
Federal debts can be collected by administrative wage garnishment up to 15% without a court.
DMV / Secretary of State / licensing
Can suspend licenses or registrations over unpaid obligations.
You MAY ignore until proven in writing
Unknown callers about a “debt”
Texts, emails, or social-media messages
Anyone threatening arrest or calling your employer
Anyone asking for your SSN, bank, or card numbers
Demand a written validation notice. If they can’t or won’t prove it on paper, they can’t enforce it by pressure. Report threats to the FTC and California DFPI.
How a missed payment becomes a garnishment
- 1
High APR carries the balance
Interest compounds faster than you pay.
- 2
Late & over-limit fees stack
Fees add to the balance you owe.
- 3
Charge-off ~180 days
The creditor marks it a loss — but the debt remains.
- 4
Debt sold cheaply
A buyer pays pennies on the dollar to collect the rest.
- 5
Collector pressure
Calls, letters, and pressure to pay quickly.
- 6
Lawsuit filed
A court case — which you must answer.
- 7
Default judgment & garnishment
Not answering = judgment, then wages or bank levy.
More than 70% of debt lawsuits end in default judgment because people don’t respond.
Pew Charitable Trusts research · Pew Charitable Trusts
The 5-level journey up the dome
A private, free climb — one question per level. Badges as shields. A breath at each overlook. Your answers stay on this device.
0 of 5 badges earned · 5 levels open now
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Level 1 · The Watchtower
Spot the threats early
Every Sentinel starts by looking. Tick anything you're carrying right now.
Red-Flag Detector
Tick what a caller or letter asked of you. Two or more points to a scam or illegal pressure.
COVID EIDL? Act before Treasury
If you have an SBA COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), the rules are specific — and time-sensitive. A demand letter starts a window. Treasury referral changes everything.
Hardship plan ended
SBA’s hardship accommodation period ended March 2025. Verify current servicing options directly with SBA — they change over time.
60-day window
A demand letter starts roughly a 60-day window before the loan is referred to Treasury for collection. Act in that window.
Treasury referral
Once referred to Treasury, collection can include administrative wage garnishment up to 15% without a court, and offsets. Respond to notices in writing.
EIDL loans often involve personal guarantees and UCC liens on business assets. This is education only — not a determination of whether your loan is collectible, whether a settlement is appropriate, or whether your business property is protected. Verify current SBA programs and deadlines with SBA directly.
Plain-language guides to your debt rights
Twelve free, readable guides — no account, no login, no sales. Each explains one thing in plain language, links to official sources, and carries the same education-only promise: this is not legal advice.
Five topics, free and private
- Who you must answer — and who must prove it first
- Send it in writing: the phone script that protects you
- Is my debt too old to sue? (California, 4-year rule)
- EIDL demand letter and the Treasury referral
- Spot fake collectors and “zombie” debt
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Only what you type in these forms is sent. Your Sentinel journey answers stay on this device. Education only — not legal advice, not a credit-repair or debt-settlement service.