can a debt collector garnish my social security check?
75614
Generally no, debt collectors can't take your Social Security or VA benefits directly out of your bank account or prepaid card. After a debt collector sues you for the debt and wins a judgment, it can get a court order for your bank or credit union to turn over money from your account or prepaid card.
366588
While up to 15% of your Social Security payments can be garnished to repay a student loan debt, your monthly benefit cannot sink below $750. 8﻿ Furthermore, the garnishment cannot occur until two years after you default on a loan, giving you ample time to contact the loan servicer to modify the repayment plan.
1347415
While up to 15% of your Social Security payments can be garnished to repay a student loan debt, your monthly benefit cannot sink below $750. 4﻿ Furthermore, the garnishment cannot occur until two years after you default on a loan, giving you ample time to contact the loan servicer to modify the repayment plan.
346936
Yes, but not until they sue you, win, and have a judge decide to garnish your wages as the method of payment. It's illegal for debt collectors to threaten you with a lawsuit if they don't intend to do so or if they can't legally do it.
815692
For most types of debt, including credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans, Social Security cannot be garnished to pay the debt. ... If your Social Security check is directly deposited in the bank, the bank is required to protect Social Security benefits from garnishment.
584543
If you owe non-tax debts to other agencies, the first $750 of your monthly Social Security payment is off-limits to garnishment. But the IRS is different and can take its 15 percent cut, regardless of how little money you're left with.
165131
The government garnishes Social Security income on defaulted loans. If you've defaulted on a federal student loan, beware: The federal government can take up to 15 percent of your Social Security benefit. ... (Private student loans are not subject to Social Security garnishment.)
101345
Creditors may be able to garnish a bank account (also referred to as levying the funds in a bank account) that you own jointly with someone else who is not your spouse. A creditor can take money from your joint savings or checking account even if you don't owe the debt.
391616
With the exception of certain federal agencies, creditors cannot garnish or seize Social Security benefits, whether it is retirement, disability, survivor's benefits, or SSI. Congress has written this protection into law.
297137
Neither the Ontario Pension Benefits Act or the Canada Pension Plan Act make any reference to garnishments. That means that a typical creditor cannot garnishee your retirement pension or Old Age Security (OAS) including the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the Allowance, and the Allowance for the Survivor.
31540
Social Security benefits are protected when it comes to private debt like medical costs, car loans and credit card bills. Creditors in such cases can get a court order to garnish money from your work paychecks or bank accounts, but federal law prevents them from touching Social Security benefits.
940363
Debt Collections Debt collectors might also be able to seize your stimulus check. They can't do so directly—creditors aren't going to contact the IRS and have your money diverted to pay off what you owe. But they can garnish your bank account if they have a judgment against you or seek a judgment to do so.
823264
A debt collector can, in fact, garnish your wages, but only if it's legal to do so in your state. ... When wages are garnished, the creditor receives money deducted from the debtor's paycheck to apply towards the delinquent debt.
1299039
People who have defaulted student loans face having up to 15 percent of their paychecks garnished in Texas. ... In fact, the IRS can garnish your paychecks without a court order. Texas garnishment laws do not apply to a federal income tax debt. Further, your wages can be garnished if you owe state or local taxes in Texas.
779641
In Mississippi, your wages cannot be garnished without your knowledge in most cases. ... For example, creditors are allowed by law to garnish your wages if you owe taxes, child support and student loans without first obtaining a judgment.
207474
The government is allowed to garnish a portion of your Social Security payments if you have an outstanding income tax bill or are behind on your federal student loan payments. Your benefits can also be garnished if you fail to keep up with child support and alimony payments, depending on the laws of your state.
221120
The IRS offsets the amount you owe by your tax refund. ... If your refund does not cover the amount owed, your next year's refund may also be garnished. The SSA may also garnish income checks to force repayment on an SSA debt.