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How to Resolve Debt With Cerastes LLC

George Simons | January 06, 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: Cerastes LLC buys debts and sues people to recover the money. Resolve debt by responding to collectors promptly, negotiating a settlement, and knowing your rights under the FDCPA. Solo can help you manage your debt resolution journey.

Millions of Americans are pursued by debt collectors daily. This process is frustrating, stressful, and most Americans simply choose to ignore it. Unfortunately, ignoring a debt collector or debt collection lCTAawsuit is the worst choice you can make. By ignoring a lawsuit you will automatically receive a default judgment on your debt, which can lead to wage garnishment, having your bank account frozen, as well as compounding interest and fees.

If you are being pursued by Cerastes LLC in court, then you have options. Not only should you respond to the debt, but you should work to beat them in their case. Let's examine what steps you should take to beat Cerastes LLC in court.

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What is Cerastes LLC?

Cerastes LLC is a company that specializes in purchasing debts. The company is legally recognized as a “successor in interest” to Dodeka, LLC and Pharia, LLC. These companies appear to be linked to the law firm of Weinstein, Pinson, & Riley, which focuses on debt collection and bankruptcy matters.

Read Cerastes LLC reviews online

If you want to find out what consumers have said about their experience with Cerastes LLC and whether it is possible to negotiate a debt collection settlement, then take a moment to read these reviews:

Despite Cerastes LLC online reviews being pretty mixed, this should not deter you from taking steps to engage with them in an effort to resolve the debt collection matter. Many debt collectors, including those affiliated with Cerastes LLC, are open to working with individuals to resolve their concerns and get their debt paid in a manner that works for them, based on their current financial situation. Proactive communication is the key.

If calling a debt collector to negotiate doesn’t sound like your idea of fun, try using SoloSettle to negotiate online and resolve your debt through the digital settlement platform.

Who does Cerastes LLC collect for?

Cerastes, LLC is a debt collection company that purportedly manages “recoveries on portfolios of charged-off consumer receivables by strategically placing the portfolios with properly licensed collection agencies and law firms.” This means that Ceretes LLC essentially buys discharged and delinquent accounts, and they may sell the accounts to another company, or seek a judgment to collect on.

After a judgment is obtained, if you do not pay it, you run the risk of Cerastes LLC seeking a percentage of your wages through garnishment, and even freezing your assets. That is why it is best to avoid a judgment altogether and take proactive steps to try and resolve the debt collection matter with Cerastes LLC.

How to Settle a Debt with Cerastes LLC

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

  1. Calculate what you can actually pay towards the balance of the debt. For example, could you reasonably pay half of the amount owed and still have money left over to cover your living expenses? Doing this calculus is important because it can give you a guidepost for settlement negotiations.
  2. Make a reasonable 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 Cerastes LLC and continue to use written communication throughout the process.
  3. If you are able to reach an agreement on a settlement amount after negotiations, draft a Debt Settlement Agreement for both parties to sign.
  4. Be sure to pay the agreed amount in time.

Now, let’s take a look at a real example of how to settle debt with Cerastes LLC.

When John received a letter from Cerastes LLC about an old credit card debt for $5,200, he panicked. Life had been financially tough for him, and the thought of a lawsuit added to his stress. But instead of ignoring the letter, John decided to face it head-on.

“I knew I couldn’t afford the full amount,” John explained. “So, I decided to negotiate and see if they’d settle for less.” He started by using SoloSettle to draft a settlement offer of $2,000—a little less than half of what he owed. John attached proof of his financial situation, including recent medical bills and his reduced income after losing his second job.

At first, Cerastes LLC rejected his offer but came back with a counteroffer of $3,900. John couldn’t meet that amount, but instead of giving up, he stayed calm and revised his offer to $3,000. After a few rounds of negotiation, they finally agreed on $3,200 to settle the debt.

“I made sure to get the agreement in writing,” John said. “Once I had their signed settlement letter, I paid the amount in full within the agreed 30 days.”

A month later, Cerastes LLC confirmed the settlement was complete and updated John’s credit report to reflect that the debt was resolved.

To learn more about steps above and how to settle your debt, check out the following interview with a consumer rights attorney who shares tips and trips on how to negotiate with debt collectors like Cerastes LLC:

Respond to debt collectors fast

It may be tempting to avoid responding to a debt lawsuit, but it is incredibly essential to do so. If you do not respond then you have no hope of fighting it. You must respond to have hopes of beating Cerastes LLC in court.

Typically you will receive notice of the lawsuit in the form of a summons. This will be served to you. Once the lawsuit is filed you must submit a paper copy response called an “answer.”

You should remember a few things when responding to the lawsuit:

  • Respond within 20-30 days as designated on the summons
  • Never admit liability for the debt
  • File your Answer with the Clerk of Court and request a stamped copy
  • Send a stamped copy certified mail to the lawyer of Cerastes LLC

Make the right affirmative defenses when responding to a lawsuit with SoloSuit.

Ask for proof of the debt

When asking for proof you are essentially challenging the right of Cerastes LLC to be sued. Typically because Cerastes LLC is a debt-buying firm, your debt has most probably been sold more than once. This means that there may not be proof of the original credit agreement, or documentation of all hands the debt has passed through, which would force the case to be dismissed.

When you are served with debt from Cerastes LLC they take on what is called the burden of proof. This means they will be required to prove:

  • You are responsible for the debt
  • They have the right to sue you
  • That you owe a specific amount

Use Solo to respond to debt collectors and win in court.

Requiring proof of the amount you owe is an essential step in defending yourself against a collection lawsuit. Your goal is essentially to demand that they account for each dollar they are requesting you. This includes:

  • If the balance was increased when you made purchases
  • If the balance was increased via fees but only as a part of the original credit agreement
  • If you did not agree to fees then they cannot legally sue you for them
  • That the current balance is accurate and reflects all of the payments you have paid on the debt.

Know the statute of limitations

Oftentimes the statute of limitations will be anywhere from four to six years. This varies by state, but if your debt has passed this time, then you are not legally liable for the debt any longer. You must understand any activities on the debt will restart the statute of limitations.

Activity on a debt includes:

  • Making a payment on the account
  • Drawing funds with a credit card
  • Using a credit card to make a purchase
  • Making a payment on the balance

This makes it essential that you do not make payments on an account if you are in debt. Some collection agencies such as Cerastes put a lot of effort to collect even small amounts of the debt in hopes to extend the timeline and file a suit in the future.

File a countersuit for damages

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) exists to protect consumers from debt collectors who may be engaging in harassing behavior. If necessary, you can file a countersuit alleging violations of the FDCPA.

Common Violations of the FDCPA

  • Calling repeatedly
  • Using profane or abusive language
  • Harassing you of any kind
  • Calling at inconvenient times, including before 8 am and after 9om
  • Asking you to pay more on the debt than you owe
  • Calling at work when they know it is not allowed
  • Telling a third party other than your spouse about your debt
  • Failing to announce themselves as a debt collector
  • Failing to admit the name of the agency they work for (Cerastes LLC)

File Bankruptcy as a Last Resort

If you owe a debt and truly cannot pay it, you may consider filing bankruptcy. Although this should always be a last resort, it can help you if you are suffering multiple forms of financial distress.

Be Ready for the Consequences of Bankruptcy

  • Lowers your credit score
  • Very difficult to obtain a loan with low-interest rates or at all
  • Stays on a credit report for seven years
  • Might be difficult to obtain housing
  • You may suffer from finding work
  • May lose car loan

Taking On Cerastes LLC in Court

Fighting a debt in court may seem intimidating, but it is an essential part of moving on with your life. Whatever decisions you make about fighting your case against Cerastes LLC, be sure to respond, and look for any legal loopholes. This will allow you to settle your debt and move on with your life.

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