Received Summons From Blitt and Gaines?

Blitt and Gaines, P.C. is a high-volume debt collection law firm that represents creditors and debt buyers, not consumers. This page covers their FDCPA obligations, documented complaint patterns, lawsuit response procedures, and your options, whether you received a letter, a phone call, or a court summons.

Who Is Blitt and Gaines, P.C.?

Blitt and Gaines, P.C. is a creditors’ rights law firm headquartered at 775 Corporate Woods Parkway, Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061, founded in 1990 by Fred N. Blitt.

The firm files tens of thousands of consumer debt lawsuits annually on behalf of major financial institutions and debt buyers, including Portfolio Recovery Associates, Midland Credit Management/Midland Funding, Capital One, Discover Bank, Synchrony Bank, and Fingerhut/Bluestem Brands.

Blitt and Gaines does not own the debts it pursues; clients hire the firm to use the legal system to recover on charged-off or defaulted accounts.

Under Heintz v. Jenkins, 514 U.S. 291 (1995), attorneys who regularly collect consumer debts through litigation qualify as “debt collectors” under the FDCPA and are bound by its restrictions.

Your Legal Rights Under the FDCPA

The FDCPA grants you four immediately enforceable rights against Blitt and Gaines, and authorizes up to $1,000 in statutory damages per violation under 15 U.S.C. § 1692k.

Right to Debt Validation — 15 U.S.C. § 1692g

Within 30 days of receiving the first written notice from Blitt and Gaines, you may send a written request demanding verification of the debt. The firm must cease collection activity until it provides written verification, including the name and address of the original creditor. This deadline is strict: waiting beyond 30 days forfeits the automatic cessation right, though you retain the right to dispute at any time.

Right Against False or Misleading Statements — 15 U.S.C. § 1692e

Blitt and Gaines may not misrepresent the character, amount, or legal status of any debt, and may not falsely imply that you will be arrested or that an attorney has reviewed your file when none has. Any statement that a lawsuit has been filed before it actually has, or that the debt is legally collectible when the statute of limitations has expired, violates this section.

Right Against Harassment — 15 U.S.C. § 1692d

Blitt and Gaines may not engage in conduct whose natural consequence is to harass, oppress, or abuse. Repeated calls intended to annoy, threats of violence, and use of obscene language all violate this section. Document every call date, time, and the name of the representative.

Right to Stop Contact — 15 U.S.C. § 1692c

A written cease-communication request sent to Blitt and Gaines requires the firm to stop contacting you, with limited exceptions for informing you of a legal action it intends to take. Send the letter by certified mail, return receipt requested, and retain your copy. Ceasing contact does not eliminate the debt or stop a lawsuit, but it does eliminate informal collection pressure.

Documented Consumer Complaints

Consumer complaints against Blitt and Gaines appear in the CFPB complaint database and on the BBB profile.

Falsified verification documents (federal class action): In Gonzalez v. Blitt & Gaines, plaintiffs alleged that the firm sent consumers “Verified Motions” bearing execution dates that preceded the events those documents purported to verify, on behalf of Portfolio Recovery Associates. The lawsuit alleged this practice violated 15 U.S.C. § 1692e by misrepresenting the legal status of the collection proceeding to pressure consumers into forfeiting their right to contest the claim.

Collection on settled or uncollectible accounts: In Susana v. Midland & Blitt, a consumer alleged that Blitt and Gaines attempted to collect a balance that had already been resolved, in violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1692f, which prohibits using unfair means to collect amounts not expressly authorized by the underlying agreement or permitted by law.

Judgment liens on property with disputed ownership: Consumer complaints on the BBB and in court filings describe instances where Blitt and Gaines attached judgment liens to real estate despite the subject property having been legally transferred or assigned to a non-debtor spouse following a divorce decree.

To file your own complaint: CFPB online complaint form | FTC Report Fraud | Illinois Attorney General: illinoisattorneygeneral.gov.

If Blitt and Gaines Has Filed a Lawsuit Against You

A summons from Blitt and Gaines means a state court has issued a complaint on behalf of their client, and your response deadline has already started running from the date of service.

Step 1: Confirm the service date. The date on the proof of service or the date a process server handed you the documents starts the clock. Do not rely on the postmark of any letter that followed.

Step 2: File an Answer before the deadline. Response deadlines by state: Illinois, 30 days; Indiana, 20 days; Wisconsin, 20 days; Missouri, 30 days; Kansas, 21 days; Iowa, 20 days; Arizona, 20 days. Filing an Answer, even a general denial, prevents a default judgment and forces the firm to produce evidence at trial.

Step 3: Understand the consequences of a default judgment. If you do not respond, the court enters a default judgment automatically. Blitt and Gaines can then pursue wage garnishment, bank levies, and property liens under state law. Illinois allows wage garnishment of up to 15% of gross wages. Indiana and Wisconsin permit similar post-judgment remedies.

Step 4: Assert your defenses in the Answer. Viable defenses include expired statute of limitations, lack of standing due to incomplete assignment documentation, incorrect balance, mistaken identity, and prior payments not credited. These defenses must appear in writing in your Answer; raising them only by phone preserves nothing.

Call 877-700-5790 or request a free case review to have Attorney DePetrillo evaluate your Answer deadline and available defenses before you respond.

Payments, Settlements, and Resolution Options

Blitt and Gaines regularly resolves cases for less than the full claimed balance, particularly on older debts, charged-off accounts, and cases where documentation is thin.

Lump-sum settlement. Accounts purchased by debt buyers, such as Portfolio Recovery Associates or Midland Funding, were acquired for a fraction of the face value. Blitt and Gaines can accept offers below the stated balance and still return a profit to their client. Settlements of 40 to 60 cents on the dollar are common on charged-off accounts, though the firm’s willingness to negotiate increases when you have raised a valid defense in court.

Structured payment plan. Blitt and Gaines does offer payment plans in some cases, particularly after a judgment has been entered. Be aware that judgment balances can accrue interest at statutory rates, which vary by state. Illinois post-judgment interest runs at 9% per year; Missouri at 9%; Wisconsin and Indiana at varying rates depending on the underlying contract.

Litigation settlement. When a case is in active litigation and you have raised defenses, the firm frequently offers a discounted payoff or a payment arrangement to avoid the cost of trial. This is the most favorable negotiating position for most consumers.

Bankruptcy. Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy stops all collection activity immediately under the automatic stay and may discharge the underlying debt entirely. Consult a bankruptcy attorney to evaluate whether this is appropriate for your overall financial situation.

Critical note on written agreements: Do not send any payment without a signed written settlement agreement specifying the exact amount, the payment schedule if applicable, and the credit reporting outcome. There is a material difference in how “paid in full” and “settled for less than the full amount” appear on your credit report. Require the agreement before you pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Blitt and Gaines a legitimate law firm?

Yes. Blitt and Gaines, P.C. is a licensed law firm founded in 1990, with attorneys admitted in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Arizona. The firm is not a scam. However, legitimacy does not mean the debt amount is correct, the account is legally collectible, or the firm possesses adequate documentation to win in court.

Why is Blitt and Gaines contacting me?

A creditor or debt buyer has hired Blitt and Gaines to collect on an account it claims you owe. You may not recognize the firm’s name because the original debt arose with a bank or lender that subsequently charged off the account and sold it, often through multiple transfers, to a buyer such as Portfolio Recovery Associates or Midland Funding, which then retained Blitt and Gaines.

How do I request debt validation?

Under 15 U.S.C. § 1692g, send a written validation request to Blitt and Gaines by certified mail, return receipt requested, within 30 days of the first written notice. The firm must stop collection activity until it verifies, including the name and address of the original creditor. Keep a copy of your letter and the certified mail receipt.

How do I stop calls from Blitt and Gaines?

Under 15 U.S.C. § 1692c(c), a written cease-communication request requires Blitt and Gaines to stop contacting you. Send the request by certified mail. The firm may still file a lawsuit after receiving this letter; stopping calls does not stop litigation.

What is the statute of limitations on a Blitt and Gaines lawsuit?

Each state imposes its own deadline. For credit card debt: Illinois, 5 years; Missouri, 5 years; Wisconsin, 6 years; Indiana, 6 years; Iowa, 5 years; Kansas, 5 years; Arizona, 6 years. If the original default predates these windows, you may raise a time-barred defense in your Answer. Any payment or written acknowledgment of the debt can restart this clock in some states, so consult an attorney before making any payment on an old account.

What happens if I ignore a Blitt and Gaines lawsuit?

The court enters a default judgment against you automatically. With a judgment in hand, Blitt and Gaines can garnish wages, levy bank accounts, and place liens on real property under state law. In Illinois, up to 15% of gross wages may be garnished. Call 877-700-5790 before your response deadline to avoid this outcome.

Will this debt appear on my credit report?

Yes. The original creditor’s charged-off account and any collection tradeline from the debt buyer both appear on your Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion reports for up to seven years from the date of first delinquency under 15 U.S.C. § 1681c. A judgment appears separately in the public records section. Paying the account after a judgment does not remove the judgment from your record; it marks it “satisfied.”

Where do I file a complaint against Blitt and Gaines?

File with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint, the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and your state attorney general. Illinois consumers can file at illinoisattorneygeneral.gov. You may also have a private right of action under the FDCPA, which allows you to sue for actual damages plus up to $1,000 in statutory damages and attorney fees under 15 U.S.C. § 1692k.

Can I negotiate a settlement on my own?

You can, but any settlement offer you make before understanding your defenses may be weaker than one made after an attorney has reviewed the case. If the firm’s documentation is incomplete or the statute of limitations has expired, your negotiating position improves significantly. Get any settlement agreement in writing before sending payment.

For a broader overview of debt collection law firms and your rights, visit our collection attorneys resource page. You can also search our complete list of collection agencies in the United States to identify other firms that may be contacting you.