When someone doesn't pay you, immediately document all communication, send a formal demand letter, and consider escalating to small claims court or a collection agency. If you are an employee, file a wage claim with your state’s labor department or the U.S. Department of Labor. Cease all work immediately, review your contract for remedies, and, if necessary, consult an attorney to initiate legal action.
Consider sending a formal demand letter outlining the owed amount and repayment history. If ignored, you may file a small claims lawsuit depending on your jurisdiction's limits. Keep records of any partial payments or related expenses, such as insurance payments, to support your claim.
How to get money back from someone
What to Do When a Client Doesn't Pay
If your employer doesn't pay you, you have the right to be paid for all hours worked, and you can file complaints with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division or your state's labor department, which can investigate and help recover unpaid wages, potentially leading to legal action if necessary. Start by formally contacting your employer in writing, then escalate by filing complaints to get the compensation you're owed.
If you don't get paid, first talk to your manager/HR about potential errors, documenting everything; if unresolved, file a wage claim with your state's Department of Labor (or U.S. DOL) and the Federal DOL, gather proof (timesheets, contract), and consider a lawyer, but be aware a company failing payroll might be closing, so also look for new work and potentially unemployment benefits.
Yes. If your employer has not paid you according to California wage laws or the terms of your employment, you may have the right to take legal action. Employees generally have two main paths: filing a wage claim with the California Labor Commissioner or filing a civil lawsuit in court.
Send a Demand Letter
A demand letter is a formal letter that requests repayment. A formal letter to someone who owes you money has the following benefits: They take you more seriously with a letter. A letter tends to show you are serious about getting your money back.
The Police have no power to arrest someone simply because they owe money. Recovery of debt is a civil matter you go to court, not police station. Owing money is not stealing. Only the court can enforce repayment, not the Police.
Workers in California have the right to file a wage claim when their employers do not pay them the wages or benefits they are owed. A wage claim starts the process to collect on those unpaid wages or benefits. Wage claims can be filed online, by email, mail or in person.
Filing a lawsuit in court will allow you to ask for all the money you're owed. If you're willing to settle for less than the full amount you're owed, you might consider using a collection agency instead. Collection agencies contact the debtor and exert pressure for payment.
“I've been trying to reach you about the $100 I lent you. It's important that we discuss this, as I need the money back. Please let me know when you can repay it or if you need to work out a payment plan. Thank you.”
While creditors can't directly imprison you for unpaid debts, they do have legal avenues to recover what you owe. The most common action is filing a lawsuit. If a creditor wins the lawsuit, the court may issue a judgment, which could lead to actions such as wage garnishment, property liens or bank levies.
An employer can't legally withhold your pay indefinitely; federal law doesn't set a specific timeframe, but state laws and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) set deadlines, especially for final paychecks, often requiring payment on the next payday or within days of termination, with penalties (like a day's wages per day late) accruing for delays, and you can file a wage claim with your state labor department or the DOL Wage and Hour Division if unpaid.
Police involvement would likely not be the right step here, since this is a financial dispute rather than a criminal issue unless the customer acts in a way that crosses into something like theft or vandalism.
Ask for the money, preferably in writing, so there is a record of your attempts. This is called a demand letter. Even if the debtor doesn't answer you, you should ask them multiple times for the exact dollar amount they owe. It is a good idea to tell them you will pursue legal action as a next step.
Yes, you can. In California, a person's financial status does not remove their legal responsibility. If someone harms you, breaks a contract, or causes financial loss, you have the right to take legal action—regardless of whether they can pay. A successful lawsuit means the court agrees that the other party is liable.
If your debtor is an individual
This could be in the form of an overdue invoice or a contract outlining the payment terms. If your agreement was made verbally, don't lose hope. A written confirmation, such as a text message or an email simply expressing gratitude for the loan, can serve as powerful evidence.
If you're not getting paid, first talk to your manager or HR, then gather documents (pay stubs, timesheets) and contact the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) or your state's labor department to file a wage claim, as they enforce labor laws and help recover unpaid wages. You can also explore options with an employment lawyer for legal recourse.
Workers who are not paid on time or who are not paid for their work have a right to recover any back pay that they are owed. They can also recover penalties that are assessed against their employers under either the Private Attorneys General Act or under Cal. Lab. Code 210.