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How to Settle Debt With Bonneville Collections

George Simons | February 01, 2025

Fact-checked by Patrick Austin, J.D.

Patrick Austin
Attorney from George Mason
Patrick Austin, JD

Patrick Austin is a licensed attorney with a background in data privacy and information security law. Patrick received his law degree at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School, where he served as the Editor-in-Chief for the National Security Law Journal.

George Simons
Co-Founder of SoloSuit
George Simons, JD/MBA

George Simons is the co-founder and CEO of SoloSuit. He has helped Americans protect over $1 billion from predatory debt lawsuits. George graduated from BYU Law school in 2020 with a JD-MBA. In his spare time, George likes to cook, because he likes to eat.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Hannah Locklear
Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

Summary: When Bonneville Collections contacts you about a debt, you should take proactive steps to engage with them. Send a debt validation letter and approach them about negotiating an amicable debt settlement. Solo streamlines the settlement process through technology.

Debt collection lawsuits will stir up lots of different emotions. You might be nervous, confused, and looking for answers. That fear and uncertainty can paralyze you, making decisions seemingly impossible, but ignoring a debt lawsuit is the worst path you can take because it will lead to a default judgment.

Luckily, Solo is here to help. We have all the information you need to know about how to engage with Bonneville Collections and take the necessary steps to resolve your debt issue.

Settle debt with Bonneville Collections

You can negotiate debt settlement at any stage of the collections process. SoloSettle makes it easy.

Settle with SoloSettle

Who is Bonneville Collections?

Bonneville Collections, also known as Bonneville Billing & Collections, Inc., is a debt collection agency based in Utah. The company is currently headquartered in Ogden, Utah. Bonneville Collections has expanded into offices across Utah, Idaho, and Washington State since it began in 1980.

You can negotiate with Bonneville Collections agents to settle your debt for less. Contact the company at the Bonneville Collections phone number listed below:

  • Phone: (801) 621-7880
  • Toll Free: (800) 660-6138
  • Address: 6026 Fashion Point Dr, Ogden, UT 84403
  • Website: https://bonncoll.com/

Who does Bonneville Collections collect for?

Bonneville Collections primarily pursues delinquent accounts for companies operating in the financial sector (banks, credit card companies, etc.) and healthcare sector (medical professionals, hospitals, etc.). For example, Bonneville Collections integrated with athenahealth, which allows medical providers to assign past due accounts to collections, which are then managed by Bonneville.

Read Bonneville Collections reviews online

Researching the online reviews of other people who interacted with Bonneville Collections on a debt collection matter is a smart decision, especially if you intend to reach out to Bonneville Collections to discuss your own debt issue. Solo is here to help. Below are sources to real online reviews:

It’s not unreasonable to say the online reviews for Bonneville Collections are a mixed bag. Nevertheless, there are some online reviews indicating people can have a generally positive experience communicating with Bonneville Collections to discuss a collection matter. Let’s consider a real review of an individual named Michelle:

“I had an item in collections that I was unaware of until I saw it on my credit. That's totally my fault not theirs. I believe they had been calling about it, but I don't answer calls that are unknown to me. I called to settle the debt and the person I spoke with was very nice. She said they had called and they made one attempt to mail me something, but I no longer live at that house. I paid the bill with no issues and was immediately sent a receipt. Honestly, if you get an attitude from someone it's usually because you're giving it first.”

Michelle’s experience highlights an important fact - if you proactively engage with a debt collection, you improve your odds of achieving a resolution. This is because many debt collectors, including those affiliated with Bonneville Collections, are generally open to working with you to resolve your debt collection matter.

Nevertheless, if the idea of contacting a debt collector to discuss a debt issue sounds horrifying, then consider using SoloSettle to negotiate online and resolve your debt through our cutting-edge digital settlement platform.

Respond to debt collectors with Solo.

How to negotiate with Bonneville Collections to settle your debt

You can try to negotiate a settlement on an unpaid debt at any stage - even after Bonneville Collections has filed a debt collection lawsuit. Here are some steps you can take to negotiate a debt settlement with Bonneville Collections:

  1. If Bonneville Collections sued you, make sure to file a timely response via an Answer so you avoid the court entering a default judgment against you. This is important because a default judgment would hinder your position during settlement discussions.
  2. Take the time to calculate what you can pay towards the amount owed. For example, if you owe $8,000 and could reasonably pay half the amount and still have funds left over to cover your living expenses, then this can provide some parameters for your settlement negotiations.
  3. Contact Bonneville Collections and convey your settlement via a debt settlement letter requesting that the firm consider your offer. The settlement offer should be lower than the number you calculated in Step 1. This will leave room for you to negotiate upward if they reject your first offer. Make sure to engage in written settlement communications with Bonneville Collections and continue to use written communication throughout the process.
  4. If you are successful in reaching a debt settlement agreement, draft a debt settlement agreement containing the relevant terms and provisions.
  5. Make sure both you and the debt collector sign the agreement.
  6. Be sure to pay the agreed amount in time.

Watch the following video for more negotiation tips and strategies straight from the mouth of a lawyer!

Send a debt validation letter to Bonneville Collections

When Bonneville Collections first contacts you about a debt, they are required by federal law to validate the debt. This means they must provide the following information about the debt within 5 days of their initial contact:

  • The amount of the debt.
  • The name of the creditor.
  • The collector will assume the debt is valid unless the consumer sends them a debt validation letter within 30 days.
  • If you send the collector a debt validation letter they will need to mail you validation of the debt.
  • If you send them a debt validation letter they will need to mail you the name and address of the original creditor.

53 percent of people who are contacted by a debt collector say they're being contacted about a debt they don't owe or a debt of the wrong amount.

So, lots of people are being hounded by debt collectors for money they don't owe. The debt validation letter is your guardian because it lets Bonneville Collections know that you dispute the debt. This forces them to prove the debt is valid with certain documentation and evidence.

If they can’t validate the debt, Bonneville Collections will leave you alone. Check out the graphic below to learn more about how a debt validation letter timeline works:

Respond to a debt lawsuit against Bonneville Collections

Debt collection cases can sometimes seem like a David vs. Goliath story. You're just one lone borrower against a massive debt collection agency. How can you possibly win? Fortunately, Bonneville Collections can't just steamroll over you. There's a set of rules they need to play by, and that gives you a chance to fight back.

Before we get started, let's cover some important language in debt collection cases.

  • Plaintiff: The plaintiff is whichever party began the lawsuit. In your case, the plaintiff is Bonneville Collections.
  • Defendant: In debt collection cases, the defendant is the “debtor.” In other words, they're the person who owes money. You should be named as the defendant in your case.
  • Summons: In any lawsuit, the Summons is the document that initiates the case. It essentially notifies you of the case and its details.
  • Complaint: This document, also known as a Petition in some states, lists all the specific claims against you. It will include how much money you allegedly owe, as well as other important information. If you received a complaint from Bonneville Collections, that means they're officially suing you.
  • Default judgment: You have to respond to the lawsuit before your state’s deadline, otherwise the court may order a default judgment against you. This means you lose the case automatically, and Bonneville Collections may be granted the right to garnish your wages and seize your property.

Knowing this language can help you decode the Summons and Complaint. Now that you understand some basic terms, you need to form your strategy. You should respond to the lawsuit with a written Answer. Here’s how.

Follow these three steps to respond to Bonneville Collections debt lawsuit:

  1. Respond to each claim listed in the Complaint.
  2. Assert your affirmative defenses.
  3. File the Answer with the court, and send a copy to the plaintiff.

Below, we’ll break down each of these steps in detail. You can also watch this video to learn more:

1. Respond to each claim listed in the Complaint

The first section of your Answer document should focus on responding to each claim against you. Since the Complaint lists each claim, your responses should also be listed in correlating order.

You can answer each claim with one of the following responses:

  • Admit: This means you agree with the claim and that it’s entirely true.
  • Deny: This means you want Bonneville Collections to prove the claim because you don’t fully agree with it.
  • Deny due to lack of knowledge: This means that you do not know if the claim is true or not.

Many attorneys recommend that you deny as many claims as possible in your initial Answer. When you deny a claim, it forces Bonneville Collections to prove that it’s true. If they don’t have supporting evidence, there’s a chance they will drop the case altogether.

2. Assert your affirmative defenses

The next section of your Answer should list your affirmative defenses. An affirmative defense is a legal defense that a defendant uses to prove they are not liable. In a debt collection lawsuit, an affirmative defense is any legal reason that the defendant should not be held responsible for the debt.

There are several defenses you can use in a debt lawsuit against Bonneville Collections. Here are a few examples:

  • Statute of Limitations: Bonneville Collections has no right to collect a debt outside its statute of limitations. This is a specific date set by each jurisdiction.
  • No Paper Trail: Bonneville Collections needs to provide documents proving they own your debt. For example, if they're suing you over credit card debt, they'll need your cardholder agreement. If they can't produce this paperwork, they don't have a case.
  • Incorrect Debt History: Sometimes a debt collector doesn't see the whole picture. They buy debt “as is” from lenders. As a result, they may not have a complete history of your payments. If you can prove that you made payments on your debt that aren't present in Bonneville Collections' paper trail, you may be able to dismiss your case.
  • No Proof: Debt collectors like Bonneville Collections need to prove you owe them money. This means they must show the court some sort of agreement that signs your debt over from its original owner. Without it, they can't prove their case.

Check out our guide on affirmative defenses to learn more about each defense listed above and more.

SoloSuit can help you make the right defense the right way.

3. File the Answer with the court, and send a copy to the plaintiff

Once you’ve drafted your Answer with your responses to each claim and affirmative defenses, it’s ready to be filed with the court.

You have 35 days or less to file your Answer in court, depending on where you live. Each court has unique filing requirements, including fees, formatting conventions, etc. SoloSuit has done the heavy lifting for you by finding out your court’s filing process.

After filing, you must also send a copy to the plaintiff’s attorney, or the attorney representing Bonneville Collection in the case.

The easiest way to file your Answer and serve the plaintiff is by sending it in the mail. You should send it via USPS certified mail with a return receipt requested. This will serve as proof that the documents were delivered.

Now, let’s explore an example of how to beat Bonneville Collections in court.

Example: Jeff is being sued by Bonneville Collections for an old credit card debt in Utah. After doing some research online, Jeff discovers that the statute of limitations on credit card debt is six years, and he hasn’t made any payments on the account for more than seven years. Jeff uses SoloSuit to draft an Answer to the lawsuit where he denies most of the claims and lists the expired statute of limitations as one of his defenses. SoloSuit files the Answer for him before Utah’s deadline, which is 21 days. A few weeks go by, and Jeff is notified that Bonneville Collections dismissed the case.


Increase your chances of beating Bonneville Collection in court

Remember: submitting an Answer to the court is a critical step in any debt collection lawsuit. If you don't file your Answer in the court-appointed time frame, Bonneville Collections can win their case automatically. This is how debt collectors win the vast majority of their lawsuits.

By simply responding to a Complaint from Bonneville Collections with SoloSuit’s help, you're already increasing your chances of winning your case by 7x. Don't give Bonneville Collections any help. Make them prove their case in court!

Draft and file an Answer in all 50 states with Solo.

How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

Debt collector guides

Are you being contacted by a debt collector? We’re making guides on how to resolve debt with each one.

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If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.

Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

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Bankruptcy is a great way to legally resolve debt, but it's usually best to consider it as a last resort. Here are some bankruptcy guides to help you decide which debt resolution option is best for you.

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Debt collection FAQs

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Debt collection documents and templates

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Debt collection laws vary by state, so we have compiled a guide to each state’s debt collection laws to make it easier for you to stand up for your rights—no matter where you live.

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Like all debt collection laws, the statute of limitations on debt varies by state. So, we wrote guides on each state’s statutes and more.

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Forgot to respond to your debt lawsuit? The judge may have ordered a default judgment against you, and with a default judgment, debt collectors can garnish your wages. Here are our guides on how to stop wage garnishment in your state, plus other wage garnishment resources.

The Debt Hotline

Hosted by Team Solo, The Debt Hotline breaks down debt and personal finance topics with help from attorneys, financial experts, and industry pros. We respond to real questions to help you navigate debt with knowledge and courage.

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