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How Creditors Collect Debts: Repossession, Wage Garnishment, Bank Attachment, and More

Creditors and debt collectors have various ways to try to collect on loans or debts you might owe them. Of course, they'll most likely make phone calls and send collection letters. But some creditors can also record a lien against your property, levy your bank account, garnish your wages, or repossess your car or other personal property. It's important to know when creditors can use these collection measures, whether the law places restrictions on their activities, and what you can do to avoid losing your property.

If you have a money judgment against you, the creditor has various ways to find your assets and then collect against them.

Learn about the many ways creditors can collect on judgments.

Your wages can be garnished if you owe child support, alimony, student loans, or back taxes, or if a court judgment has been entered against you.

If you miss payments on a bank loan, beware. The bank could take money from another account to cover the payments.

If you owe child support arrears, the IRS might take your tax refund.

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Our editors have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. These professionals have worked in a wide range of legal areas, from estate planning to criminal law to business formation and beyond. They’re experts at explaining complicated legal issues in easy-to-understand terms.

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