Q: Can I ignore a state university that is trying to fine me if they do not have my SSN or address?
I considered attending a state university and then never followed through. I had made an email in their system and got no further. They later contacted me via this email and said that I owed them $5,700 for a room and board that I never reserved. They only have this email and my name and they do not have my address or SSN.
This reeks of bureaucratic error by some lazy student volunteer in the office. A scam seems unlikely due to the size and prestige of the university. I am appealing the fine and do not currently intend to give them anymore personal information.
Can I ignore them because they only have my name?
A: If they know your name they can easily find out everything else they need to sue you; and they might, do that because of the large amount involved. Accordingly, I do not advise you to start ignoring them now. Your decision to appeal the fine has already pushed them far enough to continue with the appeal and then take it farther, perhaps even getting a default judgment against you. Hire a good lawyer to write investigate all the facts and then send them a fiery letter.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
