Contacted by LVNV Funding? Here’s What to Do Next

This guide will walk you through exactly those questions. It’s written in plain English – no judgment, just real talk about who LVNV Funding is, why they’re contacting you, and how you can handle it.

By the end, you’ll know your options for dealing with LVNV Funding, whether you choose to handle it yourself or get professional help.

Who is LVNV Funding?

LVNV Funding LLC is a large debt buyer and collection company headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. In simple terms, they buy past-due debts (such as credit card balances or personal loans) from banks and lenders, often for pennies on the dollar, and then try to collect the full amount from you.

They’re not a bank or original lender – LVNV doesn’t lend money or issue credit cards. Instead, they purchase defaulted accounts from original creditors (for example, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase or other lenders). This means if you fell behind on a credit card or loan and it was written off by the bank, LVNV might have bought that debt and now claims you owe them instead of the original creditor.

LVNV Funding is part of a family of companies under Resurgent Capital Services. In fact, Resurgent is the company that usually handles the day-to-day collection work for LVNV. LVNV owns the debt, but they outsource the management of their accounts to Resurgent Capital Services, which is a licensed third-party debt collector. So you might see the name Resurgent Capital (or even another collection agency) contacting you on LVNV’s behalf. Don’t be confused: LVNV Funding is the debt owner, and companies like Resurgent are working for them.

It’s important to note that LVNV Funding is a legitimate company, not a scam. They are a well-known player in the debt collection industry (albeit one with a reputation for aggressive tactics at times). Like all debt collectors, they have to follow the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and other regulations. 

Why Are They Contacting You?

If LVNV Funding is reaching out to you, it’s likely because they believe you owe them money on an account they purchased. Here’s how that typically happens:

• Your account went unpaid. Perhaps due to job loss, medical issues, or just financial difficulties, you fell behind on a credit card, loan, or other bill. After missing payments for a number of months, the original creditor (like a bank or credit card company) charged off the debt – essentially giving up on collecting it from you. This usually happens after about 6 months of non-payment, though timelines can vary.
• The debt was sold to LVNV Funding. When creditors charge off debts, they often sell them in bulk to debt buyers. LVNV Funding is one of those buyers. They purchase portfolios of old debts (at a steep discount) from various sources – major credit card issuers, banks, retail store credit accounts, personal loan companies, even sometimes utilities or telecom debts. For example, LVNV has been known to buy overdue accounts from Capital One, Synchrony Bank (which issues many store credit cards), Wells Fargo, and others. So if you had, say, a Synchrony Bank store card or a Credit One credit card that went unpaid, those are the types of accounts that might end up with LVNV Funding.
• LVNV now owns the debt. Once your debt was sold, LVNV Funding became the legal owner of your account. That’s why you’re hearing from them – you no longer owe the original bank or retailer; you owe LVNV (at least from their perspective). The letter or call you got was to notify you that LVNV Funding has your account and is attempting to collect the balance.

In short, LVNV is contacting you because they bought your debt and want to get paid. Often, the first letter will identify the original creditor and your original account (for example, “Original Creditor: Credit One Bank – Account ending 1234”) and state that LVNV Funding LLC is now the creditor. They might also mention Resurgent Capital Services as the agency servicing the debt.

All of this can be confusing and alarming – after all, you probably didn’t directly borrow money from "LVNV Funding." But knowing this is a normal (if unpleasant) part of the debt collection process can help reduce the shock.

What Happens If You Ignore Them?

Let’s be honest: the gut reaction for many people is to ignore collection calls or letters. No one likes dealing with debt collectors, and it might feel tempting to just not respond. However, ignoring LVNV Funding won’t make the debt go away – and it could make things worse.

Here’s what could happen if you ignore LVNV Funding’s attempts to contact you:

• Continued collection efforts
• Escalation to a lawsuit
• Default judgment
• Wage garnishment or bank levy
• Additional fees and interest

PRO TIP: Never ignore a summons or legal notice related to a debt. If you find out that LVNV Funding (or any collector) has filed a lawsuit, do not ignore it. Failing to respond to a court summons will almost certainly result in a default judgment against you. Even if you’re scared or believe the debt is past the statute of limitations, it’s critical to respond to the lawsuit.

Can You Settle with LVNV Funding?

Yes – in fact, settling the debt for less than the full amount is quite common when dealing with LVNV Funding. Debt buyers like LVNV purchase accounts at a discount, so they are often willing to accept a partial payment as a settlement and still make a profit.

Here’s what you need to know about settling with LVNV:

• Typical settlement amounts
• Lump sum vs. payment plans
• Negotiation strategy
• Get it in writing
• Impact on your credit

PRO TIP: Don’t rush into a payment or settlement without doing your homework. Verify the debt first to make sure it’s actually yours and that LVNV has the right to collect it. Ask for a validation letter if you haven’t received one already. And when you’re negotiating, avoid paying anything until you have the settlement terms in writing.

DIY vs. Hiring Help

When faced with a collection from LVNV Funding, you have two main paths: deal with it on your own (DIY) or work with a debt relief professional (like a debt settlement company or attorney). There’s no one-size-fits-all answer – it depends on your comfort level, experience, and the complexity of your situation.

Which should you choose? If you have just one small collection and feel confident, you might try the DIY route first. However, if you’re dealing with multiple debts, large balances, or just a lot of stress and fear, getting professional help can be a wise move.

Common Questions About LVNV Funding

Is LVNV Funding legit? Yes – LVNV Funding LLC is a legitimate debt collection company.

Will LVNV Funding sue me? They might. LVNV Funding is known to file lawsuits if they think it will help them collect, especially on larger debts or if you’ve been unresponsive.

Can they garnish my wages or bank account? Not without a court judgment. Debt collectors like LVNV can’t simply start garnishing your wages because you owe them – they have to sue and win in court first.

Do I have to pay LVNV Funding, or can I deal with the original creditor instead? Generally, you’ll have to deal with LVNV at this point. When an original creditor sells a debt, they transfer all rights to that debt to the buyer.

How can I get LVNV Funding off my credit report? If the debt and collection are legitimate, time is the main thing that will remove it. A collection account from LVNV will typically stay on your credit report for up to seven years from the date you first fell behind on the original account.

What to Do Next

Dealing with LVNV Funding can feel overwhelming — especially if you didn’t even recognize the name when they first contacted you. But now you know who they are, what they want, and how this process works. And that means you’re already in a better position than most.

If you’re feeling stuck, it might help to take our free Debt Relief Quiz. It’s quick, confidential, and helps you figure out which path might make the most sense for your situation — whether that’s negotiating a settlement, setting up payments, or asking for help. No pressure, no hard sell.

Or, if you'd rather talk to a real person, just reach out. At Donaldson Williams, we’ll listen to your situation and give you honest guidance. No scripts. No scare tactics. Just someone on your side who knows how to deal with companies like LVNV — and who can do it for you, if that’s what you decide.

Whatever you choose, don’t let this hang over your head. You’ve already taken the hardest step: facing it. Now it’s just about taking the next one.

You’re not alone in this — and you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.