Is Fenton & McGarvey legit -- and what do you do if they sue you?

Yes -- Fenton & McGarvey is a legitimate collection law firm, not a scam. The key thing to understand is what a collection law firm does: it collects debts by suing on them, so if you're hearing from Fenton & McGarvey the number-one risk is a lawsuit and a court summons. It represents creditors -- banks, credit unions, auto lenders -- and sometimes debt buyers, in collecting consumer accounts. Two things work in your favor. First, a law firm that regularly collects debts is still a "debt collector" under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) -- attorneys are NOT exempt -- so you keep your rights: demand written validation within the 30-day window, don't admit the debt on a call, and dispute anything inaccurate in writing. Second, whoever is suing has to prove its case, and if the plaintiff is a debt buyer rather than the original creditor, it must document that it owns your specific account and the chain of title. The one thing you must never do is ignore a summons: if you're served, file a written answer by the deadline, because ignoring it almost always leads to a default judgment that can enable wage garnishment or a bank levy. Also check the statute of limitations -- if the debt is too old, that can be a defense. If the debt is unsecured, genuinely yours, and enforceable, these balances can usually be settled in writing, which can also end the lawsuit.

Getting a letter or a lawsuit from "Fenton & McGarvey" is alarming because it comes from a law firm. The short version: it's a real collection law firm, not a scam. The version that actually helps you is that you still have full FDCPA rights, and whoever is suing has to prove its case -- and you must never ignore a summons.

Short answer

Yes, Fenton & McGarvey is legit -- it's a law firm that collects consumer debts by suing on them, for creditors and sometimes debt buyers. If you're contacted, respond, don't hide: demand validation, and if you're served, file a written answer by the deadline. An attorney collecting debts is still bound by the FDCPA.

Who Fenton & McGarvey is

Fenton & McGarvey is a collection law firm -- it represents creditors and, at times, debt buyers in collecting consumer debts (commonly credit-card, auto, and other accounts) and does so by filing lawsuits. Because it regularly collects debts owed to others, it is a debt collector under the FDCPA, not your original creditor -- being a law firm does not exempt it. See the difference between a creditor and a debt collector. When it sues on behalf of a debt buyer, the buyer still has to prove ownership.

Is it a scam?

No. Fenton & McGarvey is a legitimate law firm, not a fake front. Two separate risks are still real. First, impostors: scammers impersonate law firms, threaten arrest, or claim a "process server" is on the way "today" to pressure you into paying by gift card or wire. A real firm identifies the creditor and files real cases in a real court you can verify. Second, errors: even a real firm can sue the wrong person, an inflated balance, a paid debt, or one that's too old to enforce. That's why you validate the debt and, if sued, make the plaintiff prove its case.

Your leverage: it's a lawsuit -- so answer it

With a collection law firm, the decisive move is procedural. If you're served, file a written answer by the deadline -- ignoring it is what leads to a default judgment, and a judgment is what enables garnishment or a bank levy. In your response you can require the plaintiff to prove standing and, if it's a debt buyer, document the chain of title. Also raise the statute of limitations if the debt is time-barred -- it's a defense you generally have to assert. The same summons-first approach applies to firms like Weltman, Weinberg & Reis.

How to deal with Fenton & McGarvey

Never ignore a summons. File a written answer by the deadline to avoid a default judgment.
Demand written validation within 30 days and, if a buyer is involved, insist on the chain of title.
Don't admit the debt or promise to pay on a call. A payment or written promise can restart the clock on old debt.
Check the statute of limitations and raise it as a defense if the debt is too old.
Dispute inaccuracies in writing with the firm and the credit bureaus, and keep copies of everything.
Consider legal help. If you've been sued, a consumer attorney or legal aid can be worth it -- FDCPA violations can even shift attorney's fees.

If the debt is really yours

If validation checks out, the balance is accurate, and the debt is unsecured and enforceable, you can usually resolve these accounts for less than the full amount -- and settling can end the lawsuit. Negotiate in writing and, before paying, get the terms on paper: what you'll pay, that it resolves the account and dismisses the case, and how it will be reported. Keep the agreement and proof of every payment. Be aware that if more than $600 of a balance is forgiven, you may receive a 1099-C and the forgiven amount could be treated as taxable income; consider asking a tax professional.

This page is general information, not legal or financial advice. Court deadlines, collection rules, and the statute of limitations vary by state; if you've been sued, consider consulting a qualified attorney or your state attorney general's office.