What happens if you Cannot pay back the loan?

Asked by: Kristian Abbott PhD  |  Last update: December 15, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (34 votes)

A collector will attempt to settle the debt with you. If they're unsuccessful, they may choose to sue, which can result in wage garnishment or a lien on your home or other assets.

What happens if you can't pay back a loan?

Failing to pay could result in your account going into default, the balance being sent to collections, your lender taking legal action against you and your credit score dropping significantly.

What to do if I cannot repay the loan?

The first thing you should do is contact the lender and set up an appointment to discuss the situation. If it is a temporary situation, they may be able to extend your loan and allow you to make up the Payment over a period of time.

Can I get in trouble for not paying a loan?

You cannot be arrested or sentenced to prison for not paying off debt such as student loans, credit cards, personal loans, car loans, home loans or medical bills.

Is it illegal to borrow money and not pay it back?

Borrowing money and failing to repay is not a crime, UNLESS there was some deception or fraud in your part that led your friend to give you the money.

Defaulting on a loan

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Can you go to the police if someone owes you money?

Can I call the police if someone owes me money? You can, but they won't do anything about it. Debt collection is a civil matter. You'd need to sue in small claims court.

Is it a sin to borrow money and not pay it back?

Hence, incurring a debt is not a sin. While being in debt is not a sin, Romans 13:8 tells the Christian to avoid being in debt. Sinners borrow from others and never return what they borrowed (Psalm 37:21).

Can you sue for unpaid loan?

Yes, you can sue someone who owes you money. When someone keeps "forgetting" to pay you or flat out refuses to pay up, the situation can quickly become frustrating. You can take the issue to small claims court and pursue legal action if it falls between the minimum and maximum money thresholds under court rules.

How often do debt collectors take you to court?

More frequently than most consumers probably realize. While precise statistics are difficult to come by, legal experts estimate that several million debt collection lawsuits get filed across the United States every single year.

Is defaulting on a loan a crime?

Defaulting on a loan is not a crime, and in most debt situations, you can't be arrested for it. It's illegal for debt collectors to threaten you with jail‌ time. However, there are times when debts could lead to an arrest.

What if I am unable to pay my debt?

It is important to talk about your financial difficulties - the earlier, the better - or you may find yourself in a spiral of debt. If you think you cannot pay your debts or are feeling overwhelmed, seek support. Help is available. A trained debt adviser can talk you through the options available.

What is a major consequence of failing to pay back a loan?

Your loan holder can take you to court. You may not be able to buy or sell assets such as real estate. You may be charged court costs, collection fees, attorney's fees, and other costs associated with the collection process. It may take years to reestablish a good credit record.

How to get relief from a loan?

  1. Understand Your Debt.
  2. Plan a Repayment Strategy.
  3. Understand Your Credit History.
  4. Make Adjustments to Debt.
  5. Increase Payments.
  6. Reduce Expenses.
  7. Consult a Professional Financial Advisor.
  8. Negotiate with Lenders.

Do unpaid loans ever go away?

A debt doesn't generally expire or disappear until its paid, but in many states, there may be a time limit on how long creditors or debt collectors can use legal action to collect a debt.

Is it a crime to not pay back a personal loan?

Collection of a Personal Loan

Some borrowers will not be able to pay back the loan, regardless of how politely your request. And you cannot throw a person in jail for not paying their debts. You can act against the debtor; however, this is not something you should take on by yourself.

How long can you not pay a loan?

At what point your loan will go from “behind in payments” to defaulted is uncertain as the point of default is different depending on the laws in your state and the terms of your loan. One lender may give you 90 days or more before declaring a default, while others may call it after 30 days.

Can you go to jail for owing someone money?

Fortunately, debtors' prisons were outlawed by Congress in 1833. As a result, you can't go to jail for owing unpaid debts anymore. Still, there are a few cases in which unpaid or unacknowledged debts can be the underlying catalyst for your arrest, even if they aren't the direct cause.

How long until a debt collector sues you?

While there's no set-in-stone timeline on how soon a debt collector can sue, you are more at risk if you have an unpaid debt for more than six months.

What happens if you never pay collections?

If you continue not to pay, you'll hurt your credit score and you risk losing your property or having your wages or bank account garnished.

What happens if you never pay a loan back?

You may not see much effect until you're at least 30 days late and reported as delinquent. Letting your account move from delinquency into default (usually 90 to 120 days) can lead to collection calls, the potential for lawsuits, a lien on your home, or garnishment of your wages.

What's the worst a debt collector can do?

Debt collectors are not permitted to try to publicly shame you into paying money that you may or may not owe. In fact, they're not even allowed to contact you by postcard. They cannot publish the names of people who owe money. They can't even discuss the matter with anyone other than you, your spouse, or your attorney.

What is the 777 rule with debt collectors?

Specifically, the rule states that a debt collector cannot: Make more than seven calls within a seven-day period to a consumer regarding a specific debt. Call a consumer within seven days after having a telephone conversation about that debt.

What does the Bible say about people who don't pay debts?

“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.” - Psalm 37:21. As Christians, we know that paying our debts is important. We serve a just and righteous God who hates dishonesty, but what if someone owes you money? What recourse do you have?

Is it a crime to borrow money?

If a lender does not have a consumer credit license, it is illegal for them to make a loan. It is not illegal to borrow the money, however.

What does the Bible say about tattoos?

You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.” What does the Bible say about tattoos? That's it—that one line in Leviticus 19:28 of the Old Testament. But context is key—and this scripture may not apply to us in the way it looks.