Personal debt is at historic highs, with no sign of abating. The state of the economy isn’t helping matters either. Consumers have little control over most of their debt. They’ve lost their jobs, are dealing with medical issues, and need to care for their families. If this sounds familiar, you might be wondering if you can be sued by a credit card company for nonpayment. In a nutshell, they can.

But, there are a few things you should be aware of about the possibility of a credit card company suing you for nonpayment. In difficult times, the more information you have, the better.

First, they do not like to sue their customers unless it becomes necessary. After all, it costs them money to go through the process, and there is always a chance they won’t win. That being said, it’s not all that common for a credit card company to sue a consumer, but it can happen. What is far more likely is that they will turn over your account to a collection agency. You have a much better chance of being sued by a collection agency than by a credit card company.

Second, you have to do something bad before they consider suing you. You must not only owe a large sum of money, but you must also miss many payments. Missed payments may not even be the deciding factor. Not talking with your credit card issuer about why you aren’t paying increases your chances of being sued for nonpayment.

As a result, the best way to prevent getting sued is to call the company and alert them of the matter as soon as possible. The majority of credit card firms have hardship programs. You might be able to get your interest rate cut, your late fees waived, or other things in your favor. Most programs last six to twelve months, although you may be able to re-enroll after the original period has passed. Remember, it’s in their best interests to collaborate with you, but they won’t be able to do so unless you inform them.

Third, being sued isn’t as horrible as many people believe. To be sure, it’s not enjoyable. It’s also not the end of the world. If you are sued, you will be taken to court. This does not imply that you will lose. Furthermore, if your finances are in bad shape, the judge may reduce your debt by a large amount. If a judgment is made against you, the card company will be able to collect what you owe through the courts.

Finally, if things spiral out of control, a credit card company may file a nonpayment lawsuit against you. Yet, there are steps you may do to reduce the risks of this happening to you.