logo

Debtconsolidationcare.com - the USA consumer forum

bank account garnishment

Date: Sun, 10/19/2008 - 12:05

Submitted by healthygal
on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 12:05

Posts: 4 Credits: [Donate]

Total Replies: 138


I just found out that my bank account has been garnished by a credit card collection agency. I am in total shock and need advice from those this has happened to. The paperwork (Writ of Execution) was signed by the judge on 10/1, but i didn't receive anything in the mail until 10/17. I have not received any notice from my bank. My account is usually in the negative, so I am not sure how they will garnish on a negative balance. How long does the bank have to freeze funds? Will they wait until funds are there before they freeze? I am just not sure of what to do or what rules need to be followed by each side? Do I stop direct deposit of my paycheck into my account? Thanks in advance for your answers. :)


yes,go to your payroll and stop your DD.they should be able to do that.next PM skydiver or debtcruncher.they can help in fighting the freeze on your account.sounds like improper service to me,but they should be able to help further.


lrhall41

Submitted by paulmergel on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 15:57

( Posts: 15514 | Credits: )


What a coincidense, the same thing just happenedto us on the same date. It will be interesting to see how it all works out.


lrhall41

Submitted by on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 16:36

( Posts: | Credits: )


You should have received a summons with a court date. Check with the clerk of the court to get a copy of your file and see when and where you were supposedly served the summons. If you weren't living at the address where the summons was served, advise the clerk that you would like to file an appeal to have the judgement vacated. DO stop your direct deposit, open a new account.


lrhall41

Submitted by on Mon, 10/20/2008 - 04:06

( Posts: | Credits: )


Did you receive any notice of the lawsuit? If not, then you probably have grounds to vacate the judgment that was entered against you. If you did have notice of the lawsuit, then there really isn't much you can do concerning the garnishment.

You might want to consult with an attorney who handles consumer credit issues. You can get a referral from your local county bar association.


lrhall41

Submitted by davidw on Mon, 10/20/2008 - 18:14

( Posts: 54 | Credits: )


when your bank account is garnished do they take all your money in the account or do they leave enough for basic needs


lrhall41

Submitted by on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 14:51

( Posts: | Credits: )


I had a loan under my name ONLY. They garnished our bank account that I have joint with my husband. I was served with a summons which I responded within the 20 days given. But, that was last I heard. Next, they placed the garnishment.
Could I file a motion to dissolve the garnishment under the grounds that it is a joint account and the other party (my husband) is not on the garnishment? Please let me know.


lrhall41

Submitted by on Fri, 11/21/2008 - 08:47

( Posts: | Credits: )


"when your bank account is garnished do they take all your money in the account or do they leave enough for basic needs"
they will take enough to satisfy the judgment and if there isn't enough there, they will empty it out and you'll have to come up with the rest. This happened to me and I had more than the judgment amount in my account but they only put a freeze on that amount. You can exempt funds by submitting an appeal but that may take days.


lrhall41

Submitted by ndmike25 on Fri, 11/21/2008 - 11:47

( Posts: 88 | Credits: )


i just got a summons of garnishment to my bank where my mortgage is...what does this mean? I don't have my checking account there, so should I go to where the checking account is and withdraw my money? What does this mean for my house?


lrhall41

Submitted by on Wed, 02/18/2009 - 06:51

( Posts: | Credits: )


So This recently happened to my wife and I. My wife was sued last year some time and just recently they took 800 dollars out of my checking account. The total garnishment was fro $2,000 but we only had $800. SO the first thing people should realize is that Whatever you have in your account on the day of the garnishment is all they can get for that one. So if you have $2 in your account. Then they spent maybe $75 for the garnishment and only got $2.00 from you. They would have to refile which takes 3 to 4 weeks to get more money. The tactic that I used was. I had my wife call our creditor and told them that because her only income was Social Security Disability ALL of the funds were excempt. (that was a little white lie she also works) They were ready to bend over backward once they thought she was going to file and excemption. So they offered to settle the whole debt for $800. Also for those of us who are not brave enough to make such an idle threat. $200 of a bank garnishment is excempt under federal law. When the garnishment goes through the bank or the sheriff will hold the funds for up to 3 or 4 weeks to wait for you to respond or send in an excemption (which should be mailed to you with a copy of the garnishment notice) When you get that form fill it out and claim your $200 BACK from the creditor. Anyways good luck to everyone out there fighting creditors in this day and age.


lrhall41

Submitted by on Wed, 03/04/2009 - 10:50

( Posts: | Credits: )


I live in oklahoma. They just garnished my bank account, not bank related but from a judgement. I only had 33.00 in the account. How many days is that garnishment good for. If only one day can i use the account after that day. Also how long for them to do the garnishment again. Thanks for any advice


lrhall41

Submitted by on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 14:58

( Posts: | Credits: )


wow, I am just seeing this for the first time, hopefully I can help everyone out with these answers.....

First, there is only one legal way for a debt collector to get a levy against your bank account--they must take the case to court. If you have not been sued, then they acted illegally. If you were sued but never got a summons, they acted illegally. If you were sued and it was done in a county you dont live in, they did it illegally. For those of you that did not get any notice about being sued, contact your bank. They are required by law to provide you with a copy of the paperwork they got from the debt collector. This paperwork will identify where the case went to court. You must then contact that court clerk's office and:

1--if you dont live in that county, you must file an order to show cause/motion to vacate judgment due to improper venue.

2--if the suit was filed in your county but you were never served a summons, you must file an order to show cause/motion to vacate judgment due to improper service.

If it is determined that the CA acted illegally in this process, then they are usually made to pay back all the money they took from your account. You may also be able to make a case that they should be required to pay all late fees, NSF charges, etc etc that directly resulted from their illegal act of stealing your money from your account. You may have to file suit against the CA for that, or the judge may allow you to present it in this same case.

OK, now, a garnishment is a one-time deal. They can only take as much as is in your account, up to the amount they are owed, at the time they hit your account with the levy order. They will then have to process another levy to get any more money from you if you didnt have enough in there to cover the full balance owed.

Be VERY careful about taking money from your account to "protect" or "hide" it--this may be considered to be illegally hiding assets in some jurisdictions.

Also, someone said to close your account and open a new one. Honestly, there isnt much point in this because sooner or later they will find your new account and they will have the legal right to levy that one too. Think about it--your same identifying information will be used to open the new account as what you used to open your current one, right? They will already know what to look for.

Guest from Oklahoma, you need to remember that using your account tomorrow may mean they take all the money you put in it. Just be prepared to lose more money if you continue to use it.


lrhall41

Submitted by skydivr7673 on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 18:47

( Posts: 2036 | Credits: )


If you were sued in another state and they got judgement, then filed that judgement in your county and then your county allowed the garnishment is that legal. although you were never served a summons in your county. Also if a garnishnemt is a one time thing, how long does it usually take to get another levy to garnish that same account again?


lrhall41

Submitted by on Thu, 06/11/2009 - 07:35

( Posts: | Credits: )


I lost a judgement,my account has been garnished for 8 months. They take all money,in a joint account. Now the attorney that sued me is suing me again and garnishing my account so I can pay him for suing me,It does not do any good too open another account with your SS# that's what they go after,like blood in the water. I have no income..my husbands working 2 jobs,we own our own small business,I work but no pay checks,If they have won a suit againist you they will garnish and take your money until it's paid off in full.
Mine has lasted 8 months..They have gotten less than 200.00 from the account but I have to pay $100.00 each time they garnish my account $800.00,my account is now -245.00 and has been for 2 months,I guess I should close it. They will get a new garnishment ever 30-40 days. SO sad it is not fun being so poor,I never thought living pay check to pay check would ever happen to ME..My poor husband is 58 years old and should not be working 12 hours a day 6 days a week.


lrhall41

Submitted by on Thu, 07/16/2009 - 12:55

( Posts: | Credits: )


my Q: is this if i get a secured credit card like the green dot from walmart or ones just like it that act as a checking acct. can that money be taken like the money in a real bank acct. ? ...
i had 400.00 bucks get taken out of my wamu acct. so i want to put my money in to this secured card ... will that be ok or can it be taken as the money did from my real bank acct. ????


lrhall41

Submitted by on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 14:33

( Posts: | Credits: )


Same issue here. In detail Capital One has sued me (never received papers) and was approved in 2006 supposedly. I was paid 9/11 and checked my account that morning, all was good. Later that day @ 16:00 my back accounts were drained (both savings/checkings). I called my bank as soon as i found out, they gave me the court number where it was issued, the number of the attorney(s) (Shermeta Adams & Von Allmen), and capital one. Called Capital one, when i gave them the account in which it was in regards of the rep. said he couldnt handle my acct and had to transfer to "an account specialist". The "account specialist" said he couldnt give me any information on the account and advised me to call the attorney handling it (same number i got for them earlier as well as their toll free number). Here is a funny issue about this situation, both the numbers that i got from capital one/my bank didnt work. The number 800.451.7992 gave me fast busies and 248.242.8200 gave me an error "All circuits busy" till 17:30 then both those numbers free'd up. The 2nd call to capital one transfered me to i believe the "National attorney's office" where i got a nastey ladie named Jennett. She wouldnt give me any info about the account as well and also gave me both the same numbers for the attorney. I explained to her the numbers didnt work and if she could double check, she hung up on me and when i tried to call back the phones were off.

80th Distract court (Gladwin). Im in the 56th district (Eaton).

Its not like i was hiding from the radar if you know what i mean. I have always updated my information with the post office as well as my state. I recently switched banks and on my 4th direct deposit is when it was garnished.

From website:

09/11/2009 7:20:53 AM External Deposit


09/11/2009 3:50:38 PM Descriptive Withdrawal Garnishment
and of course its the weekend... their offices are all closed.

skydivr7673 thx for the information, ill call the 80th district court to "file an order to show cause/motion to vacate judgment due to improper venue". Is there any information i might need?

I havent heard from this account for a long time, my ex-GF handled my money and she claims to have paid it off. But i dont have anything to prove that, so she could have been stealing money (was end of relationship around that time). I did a news search on google about capital one and the first one that pops up is about someone who paid them off but kept getting bills. Is it possible capital one was paid off and never sent me bills and if so how could i prove this?


lrhall41

Submitted by on Sun, 09/13/2009 - 19:12

( Posts: | Credits: )


Quote:

Originally Posted by Anonymous
If you were sued in another state and they got judgement, then filed that judgement in your county and then your county allowed the garnishment is that legal. although you were never served a summons in your county. Also if a garnishnemt is a one time thing, how long does it usually take to get another levy to garnish that same account again?


First off, who sued you? If it is a third party debt collector, they are bound by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. In that law, it states that they must sue you in one of two places--either where you currently live, or in the jurisdiction where the debt originated. This means you could open a credit card account in, say, New York, then move to Alaska, and a debt collector would be within their rights to sue you in New York. But they cannot simply pick a jurisdiction at random--thats not legal. So, if this lawsuit took place in a county you never lived in, or in a place you didnt live in when the debt allegedly originated, then you have been scammed by a debt collector. In that case, the first thing I would do is contact the court clerk's office where they filed their original lawsuit and ask them the proper format for filing an order to show cause/motion to dismiss based upon improper venue as well as based on improper service. They will be able to tell you if there is a specific form you must use, etc etc. Now, once you do this, if the judgment does get vacated, all you would need to do is to bring a copy of that notice that the judgment was vacated to the court clerk's office and ask them what format you need to use to get this whole thing thrown out. If the original judgment is vacated, then there is nothing to have transferred to your county.

Also, it sounds like they have been garnishing yoru money. If you get that original judgment vacated, I would be sure to request that the court in your county order that all money they have taken is returned to you. They should not be able to keep the money they have taken if the judgment is found to be unsound.


lrhall41

Submitted by skydivr7673 on Tue, 09/15/2009 - 04:14

( Posts: 2036 | Credits: )


in new york mind you, prior to a levy your bank account gets restrained, where it will be held up to 1 year (including any direct deposits). Now NY just past new legislation that requires the account to hold a min bal of $1400 (dont quote me on this number - i know its off, but its a ballpark figure) in order for the account to be restrained. if the account doesnt hold this amount (or there are exempted funds in the account) the account wont be restrained at all. once an account IS restrained, the CA will try to get you to voluntarily release the money to them or they will send a marshall to retrieve the funds at an extra cost to you.


lrhall41

Submitted by on Tue, 09/15/2009 - 05:27

( Posts: | Credits: )


I owned property in Colorado (now living in Oklahoma) that got foreclosed on in Dec 2007. The property was in my name only. I retired from civil service in Jan 2005 and took an early retirement versus trying to do a medical retirement which could have taken months more time. I left Colorado due to medical problems on the advice of my medical provider (cold weather/altitude aggravating my condition as was sitting at a desk for hours upon hours and bending down picking up files). I put the home up for sale and had it rented for a short time (the renter left with no notice and stuck me with a huge water bill and damaged property) but when the Colorado market turned sour, I couldn't rent it nor sell it for what I owed as I was on the retirement and VA pay and the wife couldn't find work. We were barely making the car payment and rent/food and couldn't afford to pay the additional money on the property. The primary mortgage holder bought the foreclosure at county auction in Dec 2007. The 2nd mortgage (Home equity) company evidently didn't get anything as the property sold for less than was owed between the two mortgages. It finally sold for $100K less than the original loan to a new buyer almost 2 years after foreclosure.

My medical conditions have gotten worse and I have since gotten 100% Social Disability. I have not worked since Jan 2005. The only money going into my checking account is my Civil Service retirement, SSA Disability, VA Disability, and my Thrift savings account (TSP) (401K) annunity as I cannot work. I know that the SSA and VA money is definitely exempt from any judgment but can the Civil Service or TSP can be touched? At present, the collection agency has only sent me an intent to collect and to my knowledge there hasn't be a judgment. I fear that they will eventually come after me for the $38K via a judgment and taking of my account balance. I can't even buy a home now and have to rent. Any suggestions??


lrhall41

Submitted by on Wed, 09/23/2009 - 10:51

( Posts: | Credits: )


Quote:

I know that the SSA and VA money is definitely exempt from any judgment but can the Civil Service or TSP can be touched?


If they successfully impose a levy on your bank account then they may take the money that is going to it. Hence, you may consider preventing the benefit payments going to the account.


lrhall41

Submitted by SC on Fri, 10/09/2009 - 00:30

( Posts: 3937 | Credits: )


I just found out about a garnishment attached to my Safety Deposit Box to the tune of $2392.00. The Plaintiff is Asset Acceptance, LLC. I was flabbergasted, this is the first I have heard about it when I go in to open my box.
I have no idea who says I owe this $ except for the Asset Acceptance company, JEEZE now what do I do?

Bruce in Oregon


lrhall41

Submitted by Bruce Grieve on Mon, 10/12/2009 - 12:48

( Posts: 2 | Credits: )


I'm reading up on Bank Garnishment because this is in the process with my dad. If they already garnished your account, it's not going to matter if you close your account and open somewhere else because they will just seek out that account as well. But do stop direct deposit!


lrhall41

Submitted by on Thu, 10/15/2009 - 23:35

( Posts: | Credits: )


I've already taken steps to have checks issued and a debit card from SSA. One attorney told me that since the wife is not on the original loan paperwork she can't be garnished for the $$$...therefore I might use her solo account to dump $$$ so they can't garnish the checking account. I can also just get money orders to pay the bills if necessary until I can show that all the money is exempt....I'm now trying to get the advice of a real estate attorney in the state where the foreclosure happened because they may not even have a right to come after me because the loan is tied to the deed as security. Funny that transunion shows the loan closed paid. Hmmm...


lrhall41

Submitted by on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 06:29

( Posts: | Credits: )


oh just for everyone's knowledge there is some federal registry law that prohibits anyone from direct depositing a federal check into any bank account that does not have their name on it...in other words I can't have my fed retirement money sent into my wife's solo account and be legal...have no idea what the penalties are but you could always claim ignorance I suppose...like who reads the federal registry on a daily basis or at all frankly....lol


lrhall41

Submitted by on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 06:44

( Posts: | Credits: )


Hi

I also had the money in my bank account frozen yesterday, Unfortunately I had just had my paycheck direct debit go in on Friday. I am now unable to pay my mortgage and have 0 to live on for the next two weeks. I am the sole supporter of two children and do not receive child support. What do I need to do to prove this hardship and have this money unfrozen?


lrhall41

Submitted by on Sun, 10/25/2009 - 06:28

( Posts: | Credits: )


I have twenty grand i would like to deposit in the bank check out of state. In turn I owe the credit card companys which I intend to pay reduced settlement. I have not made a payment in over a year. Do they have to serve me papers first or can they file a judgement today and take the money.


lrhall41

Submitted by on Fri, 10/30/2009 - 08:21

( Posts: | Credits: )


Quote:

Originally Posted by unclewulf
Umm... Check your state laws on LLCs. In most states, LLCs are handled as corporations. If that's the case, they can't grab off company assets for personal obligations.

Very interesting... I wonder how this applies in Indiana.
I mean if I open a business checking account for my LLC I believe I still have to put my name down but I may be able to use the federal tax ID instead of a social security number.
Anybody care to chime in on whether an LLC Business Checking Account in Indiana could be garnished for personal debts?


lrhall41

Submitted by on Mon, 11/09/2009 - 09:37

( Posts: | Credits: )


My husband had owed some money to a person for rent before we got married. We have an joint account and they garnished our bank account. What should I do, because this debt was before we got married. I do know that I need to take him off of my account. Will that help? Will that stop this person from hitting my account again? Help!


lrhall41

Submitted by on Mon, 11/30/2009 - 09:59

( Posts: | Credits: )


Quote:

Originally Posted by Anonymous
Very interesting... I wonder how this applies in Indiana.

I mean if I open a business checking account for my LLC I believe I still have to put my name down but I may be able to use the federal tax ID instead of a social security number.


So open the account in the name of the company. And use the company's EIN (employer identification number or federal tax ID) in place of your SSN.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Anonymous
Anybody care to chime in on whether an LLC Business Checking Account in Indiana could be garnished for personal debts?


Your banker can tell you that. Or your attorney, if you have one. You should, if you're in business.


lrhall41

Submitted by unclewulf on Mon, 11/30/2009 - 16:41

( Posts: 3172 | Credits: )


Quote:

Originally Posted by Anonymous
My husband had owed some money to a person for rent before we got married. We have an joint account and they garnished our bank account. What should I do, because this debt was before we got married. I do know that I need to take him off of my account. Will that help? Will that stop this person from hitting my account again? Help!



How old is the debt in question, and what state do you live in?


lrhall41

Submitted by unclewulf on Mon, 11/30/2009 - 16:42

( Posts: 3172 | Credits: )


I was sued and have a judgment against me. I made arrangements with the creditor that i owe and began making payments. I was not able to pay for a couple of months and resumed payments at a later date. I have a garnishment on my account and i did not receive any notices that this was going to take place. Am i supposed to be notified by my bank and the creditors that a garnishment will be placed on my bank account how will this effect my account will i still be in good standing with my bank


lrhall41

Submitted by on Tue, 12/01/2009 - 15:26

( Posts: | Credits: )


Start by talking to the branch manager at your bank. Explain to him that your unemployment benefits are being levied, and see what he tells you. Unemployment is non-garnishable in most (all?) states.

If you get nowhere with the bank, contact your local Department of Labor. They can advise you further.


lrhall41

Submitted by unclewulf on Tue, 12/08/2009 - 18:27

( Posts: 3172 | Credits: )


I thought it was funny how capital one can send the letter to my relatives house that lives 30 minutes away and i still get garnished. I didn't receive the letter until the day they took the money out of my bank account, a total of $970. I'm living off of student loans and that was the last of them, so does this sound like something I could fight? And if so where would i go?


lrhall41

Submitted by on Sun, 12/13/2009 - 06:02

( Posts: | Credits: )