Can a debt collector sell a judgment to another debt collector?

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August 31, 2026 / 12:48 PM EDT / CBS News

Owing money on an old credit card or personal loan balance is one thing, but getting sued over it is another. After all, a debt-related lawsuit can fundamentally change what happens during the debt collection process. Once a creditor or debt collector obtains a court judgment against you, they may gain access to collection methods that weren't available before the lawsuit, potentially including wage garnishment, a bank account levy or a property lien.

And with household budgets still under pressure from elevated borrowing costs, rising debt levels and years of higher prices, dealing with a judgment over old, unpaid debt can be especially difficult right now. That's because a court judgment from a debt case can remain enforceable for many years in certain cases, giving the creditor or debt collector a much longer window to pursue repayment.

But the company that you owe the money to originally isn't necessarily the company you'll deal with for its entire lifespan. Debts routinely change hands, particularly early in the collections process. Can a…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/moneywatch/