Yes. They can sue you and if they win a judgment your wages can be garnished as long as you are in a state that allows wage garnishment. If you are in TX, PA, NC, or SC, wages cannot be garnished for this type of debt.
No
A Collection Agency that "owns your debt" can not garnish any wages. Assume that the collection agency in their efforts to collect the debt for their client, sues the debtor and then provoke that the Court works an arrangement to pay the debt, if the arrangement includes garnishment of wages then, the Court can garnish salaries. And there is laws to garnish wages that apply to every state.
Yes, provided there is an outstanding judgment against you. Without the judgment, neither the agency nor the original creditor has any recourse for garnishment, and will not be able to obtain an order for garnishment.
No. A collection agency can apply for a court order to recover a debt which may mean seizing assets.
If a judgment is in place the judgment holder can execute it under the provisions of the law of the debtor's state. It would not be necessary for the creditor to transfer the debt to a collection agency. That being said, a judgment is not transferrable, so if the original judgment holder did not record the judgment and take action they could not simply "pass it on" to another collector unless that collection agency was acting in their behalf and was part of the original suit.
No
A business can't garnish over another business, but if they hire a commercial collection agency to collect the debt, even then the agency can't garnish. When a business debt collection service goes to Court, the commercial debt collection agency can arrange a settlement to "force" the Court to garnish over the debtor. Collection Laws varies in every state
A Collection Agency that "owns your debt" can not garnish any wages. Assume that the collection agency in their efforts to collect the debt for their client, sues the debtor and then provoke that the Court works an arrangement to pay the debt, if the arrangement includes garnishment of wages then, the Court can garnish salaries. And there is laws to garnish wages that apply to every state.
Yes, if they have a valid garnishment writ from the court in the debtor's resident state.
You need to find out your state's statue of limitations. If the debt is old, then you can back sue the collection agency. You can also go to court and reach an agreement.
No, they must follow the legal steps that are required by the laws of the debtor's state.
Sometimes. The ability to garnish without a court order depends on the federal agency involved. The IRS, however, can always garnish wages and bank accounts without a court order.
The collection agency can freeze your account, and garnish enough to satisfy the FULL amount of judgment, including court costs, attorneys fees AND interest accrued, which averages about 10%. So because the judgment verdict also has attached to it various fees, and accrues interest, the collection agency has the right to garnish the FULL CURRENT VALUE of the judgment. Your court of origin should be able to provide a full accounting of the current value of your judgment.
Yes, provided there is an outstanding judgment against you. Without the judgment, neither the agency nor the original creditor has any recourse for garnishment, and will not be able to obtain an order for garnishment.
Yes. There should have been a court hearing on this (possibly in Small Claims court?) because they can't do it without the court's authority. Did you happen to ignore a court summons for this, if so, you were probably found "liable" in absentia.
No. A collection agency can apply for a court order to recover a debt which may mean seizing assets.
Once a collection agency sues a person they may have to get an attorney and go to court to settle this. The agency wants you to pay the money you owe them however they can get you to do it.