Legal Question in Consumer Law in California

Generally there is no way you can go to jail because of a debt. Passing bad checks, however, is not just a debt. Passing bad checks is a crime and you can be arrested and jailed or imprisoned for it. Taking out a payday loan that you don't repay is often considered to be passing a bad check. What you do is pay what you owe. Otherwise there is no stopping them from calling you, and there is a possibility you could face jail time.

Threatening you with jail time in order to collect a debt is itself a crime (extortion). You are the victim of an unlawful collection effort. I recommend that you contact the Bar Association in your county and tell them that you are looking for a referral to an attorney who handles unlawful collection cases. You may be able to get a low cost consultation about your rights,

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