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The Debt Hotline

The Debt Hotline

Written by: Team Solo
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 If you've ever felt overwhelmed by debt or confused by a court summons, you're not alone—and you're not powerless.

The Debt Hotline is your direct line to clarity, confidence, and control over your financial future. Hosted by legal expert George Simons and financial wellness advocate Hannah Locklear, this show breaks down the debt collection process, teaches you how to respond to lawsuits, and gives you real, actionable steps to take back control.

With insights from industry pros, real listener questions, and practical guidance, The Debt Hotline helps you navigate debt with knowledge and courage. Don’t panic—get informed. Call in, tune in, and let’s get you back on track.Solo Economics Personal Finance Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • How to Negotiate With Debt Buyers

    How to Negotiate With Debt Buyers
    Oct 23 2025
    Drowning in debt and wondering if you can actually negotiate with debt buyers? The answer is yes, but only if you communicate. In this episode of The Debt Hotline, George Simons sits down with Yale Levy, a seasoned attorney and former debt collector with nearly three decades of experience, to reveal the insider secrets of negotiating with debt buyers.

    Debt buyers purchase charged-off debt portfolios from banks for around 4% of the original amount, then try to collect the full balance from consumers. If you're being contacted by a company you've never heard of, they probably bought your old debt from the original creditor. Yale shares what he learned from decades in collections and why the number one rule for consumers is simple: communicate, don't hide.

    In this week's episode of The Debt Hotline, you'll learn:
    • Why communication is the #1 factor in successful debt negotiations
    • How to handle $150,000 in credit card debt when you're still current on payments
    • What happens when your spouse passes away and leaves debt behind
    • Why "pay for delete" is largely a myth that doesn't work with major collectors
    • How Social Security income can protect you from debt collection
    • What to do when settlement offers disappear due to missed deadlines
    Yale and George tackle real listener questions, including advice for someone with $150,000 in IT income facing massive credit card debt, a widow on Social Security worried about inherited debt, and consumers frustrated by settlement offers that kept increasing due to missed deadlines.Here are some important tips if you're dealing with debt buyers:
    • Debt buyers purchased your debt for pennies on the dollar, giving you leverage in negotiations
    • Social Security income is generally protected from garnishment
    • Settlement offers have real deadlines and missing them often means starting over at higher amounts
    • "Pay for delete" violates credit reporting rules and major collectors won't honor these requests
    • Payment plans typically require $100+ monthly, sometimes extending up to 5 years
    • Even with limited assets, you can often negotiate settlements for pennies on the dollar
    Whether you're dealing with Midland Funding, Portfolio Recovery, or any other debt buyer, this episode gives you practical strategies to communicate effectively, negotiate settlements, and avoid the biggest mistakes that cost consumers thousands. Solo can help you respond to debt lawsuits properly and SoloSettle makes debt negotiation straightforward—no awkward phone calls required.To submit a question to The Debt Hotline, you can:
    • Call 801-613-8181 and leave a voicemail
    • Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/28gd4XFsq6ybN4Qu8
    • Send an email to support@solosuit.com
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • How to Dispute a Debt Collection

    How to Dispute a Debt Collection
    Oct 16 2025
    If you’ve ever been contacted by a debt collector and weren’t sure what to do next, this episode of The Debt Hotline breaks it all down. Host George Simons, founder of Solo, sits down with Greg Anjewierden, founder of DebtBrief, to discuss what really happens when old debts change hands—and how to handle situations where things don't add up.

    Greg draws on years of experience representing both collectors and consumers to explain how debt collectors must prove two key things: that you actually owe the debt, and that they have the legal right to collect it. He walks listeners through what “chain of custody” means, how missing documents can win your case, and why filing the right motions—like a motion to set aside judgment—can stop wage garnishments in their tracks.

    Together, George and Greg tackle real listener questions, including:
    • Daniel (Washington): What happens when your student loan has been sold multiple times—do you still owe it?
    • Antonetti (Arkansas): How do you stop garnishments when you already have a payment plan?
    • Dominique (Tennessee): Should you consider bankruptcy if you owe $35,000 across multiple debts?
    • Anonymous (Ohio): Can collectors still garnish wages for a 13-year-old debt?
    • Maria (Texas): Why can collectors still contact you for debts past the statute of limitations?
    • Christopher (Utah): What happens if you’re sued in two courts for the same debt?
    Listeners learn how to recognize when collectors overstep, how bankruptcy impacts lawsuits, and how settlement tools like SoloSettle can help consumers negotiate fair deals without going to court.

    To submit your own question to The Debt Hotline:
    • Call (801) 613-8181 and leave a voicemail
    • Email: support@solosuit.com
    • Or visit solosuit.com to learn how to respond to a debt lawsuit
    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • Can Bankruptcy Stop Wage Garnishment, Foreclosure, or Lawsuits

    Can Bankruptcy Stop Wage Garnishment, Foreclosure, or Lawsuits
    Oct 14 2025
    Can Bankruptcy Stop Wage Garnishment, Foreclosure, or Lawsuits?

    If debt collectors are calling, your wages are being garnished, or you're facing foreclosure, bankruptcy might be the lifeline you need. In this episode of The Debt Hotline, host Hannah Locklear sits down with Stephen Nowak, a senior associate attorney at Guardian Litigation Group with decades of experience in bankruptcy law. Stephen has helped countless consumers facing financial hardship understand their options and regain control of their financial futures. Together, Hannah and Stephen explore how bankruptcy's automatic stay works, the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, and what debts can actually be eliminated.

    Listeners get an expert's perspective on how filing for bankruptcy immediately stops most collection actions, from wage garnishments to foreclosure auctions. Stephen breaks down the process from start to finish, explaining what happens the moment you file, how the automatic stay protects you, and which debts survive bankruptcy. He also addresses the emotional side of filing, helping listeners understand that bankruptcy isn't about failure; it's about using a constitutional right to get a fresh start.

    Sued for debt? Use SoloSuit to resolve it: Solo | Resolve debt

    Real callers join the conversation with honest, relatable questions:
    • Rachel (California): Will Chapter 7 stop her $9,000 credit card wage garnishment immediately?
    • Angela (New York): Can bankruptcy make her $45,000 medical debt lawsuit disappear?
    • David (California): Will filing wipe out the $12,000 he still owes after car repossession?
    • Carol (Texas): Does bankruptcy cover both child support and creditor garnishments?
    • Allan (New York): How does bankruptcy handle seven years of back taxes?
    Stephen answers them all with compassionate, practical advice designed to help listeners understand their legal rights and make informed decisions about their financial recovery.

    To submit your own question to The Debt Hotline:
    • Call (801) 613-8181 and leave a voicemail
    • Fill out this form: Debt Hotline Question Submission
    • Email: support@solosuit.com
    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
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