I need help with a credit company threaten me with garnishing my wages if I do not pay?

Question

I have a judgement aginst me and I didn't know about it I moved and they sent it to my old address where my ex husband lives He never let me know The original amount was for a credit card that I had when we were married and he never paid so the judgement was for about $2200 this was like 3 years ago Now this credit company has got my phone number and they want $5800 I do not make much money so I told them I can pay $25 a month they say thay can not except that the want it all I told them not to call me anymore and to let me know where I can send the $25 and they told me again that they will not take my $25 they want me to pay it off I make $12 an hour I live in a senior housing for low income people What can I do to get them to leave me alone and let me make payments

Answer 1

You can't make then accept your small payment.  You defaulted on the debt.  They want it all.

You might want to check your credit file to see if this judgment is showing.  You might also want to check with the court clerk to get a copy of this judgment and make sure it actually exists and names you.

If they do have a legit judgment, they can attach your bank account, garnish your wages up to 25% of your monthly pay, and lien your property.

Answer 2

Try this site: http://www.bills.com/debt-help/ they have good tips for people in your situation.

Answer 3

Another batch of poor advice.

Inmate, I can guarantee that if they went to court and got a judgment, they will garnish wages of $12 an hour.  It depends on if this is full time.....but they will sure try.

Offering $25 a month isn't going to get them off your back.  At that rate it will take 20 years to pay them back.  Unless you can come up with some sort of plan to pay it back in 5 they won't even listen to you.

First, contact your court and find out if you actually have a judgment.  Fighting it may be difficult though.

Your best option may be to file a motion with the court for installment payments.  Show the judge your finances and see if he will let you pay a much smaller amount per month then garnishment would get.

Answer 4

Your best bet is not to engage in a dialogue with a collection agency. They are taught to threaten, cajole, entice and even deceive debtors.

In order to enforce a judgment by wage garnishment one must get a court order. This would require them ringing you into court and having an examiner determine whether you have any income not protected by law. If it is determined that you do then a judge would order garnishment.

At $12 per hour that is unlikely.

In order to stop harassing phone calls, simply send a letter to the collectors stating that you no longer wish phone contact with them and all further communication should be in writing. Tell them that pursuant to the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act if they continue to contact you by phone you will be forced to bring action against them.

This will not stop them from going to court if they want but it will stop them from calling you. If they continue to call then there are a list of remedies that you can take.

Answer 5

judgments are paid through the courts