As a society, we have all become over-reliant on our smartphones, not just for communication, but for information, entertainment, navigation, and accessibility. Unfortunately, such modern-day convenience does not come cheap. With costly smartphone prices and ballooning monthly services charges, it is easy for consumers to fall behind in their payments. However, if you fail to pay your phone bills, there can be some stiff penalties waiting for you on the other end of the line. 

Penalties for Unpaid Phone Bills

Fortunately, unpaid phone bills are considered a civil debt, which is a situation when the court decides on a private disagreement over property or money. The resulting court decision is a judgment that forces you to pay the creditor. While you cannot go to jail for failing to pay your phone bill, there are several penalties that you’d do best to avoid: 

· Disconnected Service – Your service may be cut off, and the only call you might be able to make is for a 911 emergency. Although you can receive incoming calls, the service provider is likely to disconnect the service in the coming months.

· Low Credit Score – Ignoring paying phone bills can ruin your credit score. A small amount of unpaid debt might deny you future loans, jobs, and security clearance.

· Mounting Debt – Having many debts can make your life miserable. You might start to use your savings to pay bills or get advances from credit cards to pay your debts. Sometimes you may begin to argue with family members over money problems.

· Collection Calls – Failure to pay your phone bills may risk you receiving debt collector calls, which may catch you off-guard. You may agree to pay a collection you cannot afford, especially if you were unprepared for the conversation. You may engage in an argument with a collector who insists you pay a debt that you do not owe.

· Lawsuit – Old and unpaid loans can risk you a lawsuit as debt collectors have the right to sue you for nonpayment. If you neglect to attend the court hearing, your creditor is likely to win and take part of your wages. 

While some debt collectors may unlawfully use prison as a threat to coerce you to pay your debts, jail time is not an actual risk and you can sue them for such threats under Federal and (potentially) state law. Still, such harassment is unnerving and exhausting. To avoid such mental and financial trauma, enlist the help of debt relief professionals.

Professional Debt Assistance

Worrying about your debts can affect your behavior, health, and state of mind. If you have many debts, the professionals at Progressive Debt Relief can help by negotiating with creditors on your behalf to lower your interest and broker a peaceful debt settlement. Stop worrying about the creditor that is pressuring you to pay your phone bill debts and call us today to get expert assistance on regaining control of your finances once and for all.