Specifically for Harris & Harris collecting personal loan debt in Jacksonville, FL
Critical timeline, how to write an Answer, common defenses, and what happens if you do nothing. This guide is tailored to residents of Jacksonville dealing with Harris & Harris, one of the most-complained-about debt collectors for personal loan debt accounts. In Florida, the statute of limitations is 5 years and wage garnishment is capped at Head of household exempt.
5 years
Florida SOL on Personal Loan Debt
$8,018
Average Personal Loan Debt
Head of household exempt
Garnishment Limit
Harris & Harris has a documented pattern of FDCPA violations. If any of these happen to you, document them immediately and file a CFPB complaint.
These steps apply directly to your situation as a Jacksonville resident dealing with Harris & Harris.
If you are served with a complaint, you MUST file an Answer by the deadline — typically 20-30 days depending on your state. Missing the deadline results in an automatic default judgment against you, which allows wage garnishment, bank levies, and property liens.
The complaint states who is suing you, what debt they claim, and what they want. Note: the plaintiff's name (may be a debt buyer, not original creditor), the amount claimed, and the cause of action. Check if the SOL has expired based on the date of first delinquency.
For each numbered paragraph, respond: Admit (only what you know to be true), Deny (default to deny when uncertain), or 'Defendant lacks sufficient knowledge to admit or deny.' Deny any amount you haven't personally verified.
In your Answer, include affirmative defenses: statute of limitations expired, lack of standing (debt buyer can't prove proper assignment), wrong person, amount is incorrect, debt was already paid or settled, original contract doesn't exist.
For amounts over $5,000 or if the other side has an attorney, consult a consumer rights attorney. Many work on contingency. NACA at consumeradvocates.org has free referrals. Your state's legal aid society may help if you qualify.
These strategies are specific to personal loan debt — the type of debt Harris & Harris is collecting from Jacksonville residents.
Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act governs debt collection in Florida. File complaints with: AG Consumer Protection.
In Florida, wage garnishment is limited to Head of household exempt. Income sources protected from garnishment include: Social Security, Wages (if head of household), Workers' comp, Disability, Retirement. Harris & Harris must first obtain a court judgment before any garnishment can begin.
The statute of limitations for personal loan debt in Florida is 5 years. After this period expires, Harris & Harris cannot win a lawsuit on the debt if you raise the SOL as a defense in your Answer. Never ignore a lawsuit even on time-barred debt.
Known violations by Harris & Harris include: Threatening arrest or criminal prosecution for civil debt; Adding unauthorized collection fees; Failing to provide proper mini-Miranda warning. Document any violations immediately and file a complaint at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.
To dispute personal loan debt with Harris & Harris: send a written validation request via certified mail within 30 days of first contact, demand the original creditor name, full chain of assignment, and original signed agreement. Start with: demand debt validation under fdcpa.
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