Can a Co. via mail who I owe $ 109.99 - to garnish my SSI Check?
My check is only $ 600.00 per month. (ps - i don't think I owe that Co the amount they indicated. i thought it was about $ 29.00, but they have added lots of late fees to the amount that I may have owed. I thought i'd already taken care of the matter. the Co is:
Charge Me Later" . (that is the name of the Company). - something i or possibly a family member did on the Internet.
It works sort of like a credit card. It sounds like a good Company.
The male Rep. who called me tonight - says They are takiing me to Court within 24 hours & that it will cost me $ 1300.00- in attorney fees, etc. I am greatly worried. I told him that I have no money now but that i can send him $20..00 next week, but he refused my offer. Then at end of the tel. conversation he said he'd call me back later. I am greatly worried. My elect. bill has been running me $ 200 per mo. the past 2 mo's causing me financial difficulty.
2006-08-23 17:15:46 · 7 answers · asked by Brown Eyed Susan 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Other - Business & Finance
I have just done some quick research for you, and it would appear to confirm my belief that a CREDITOR, can NOT garnish your SSI. If the issue were child support, that would be a different story.
See as it IS a creditor, I would do as suggested above and contact your local legal aide office. I presume they will tell you to go to court, with your SSI determination and explain to the judge that it is your only source of income. If this is true your case will be dismissed.
BUT PLEASE, do contact your local legal aide office for a legal advisement. Again, if I am not mistaken, this will be nothing more than a telephone consultation, at no charge to yourself. OR, check your yellow pages for ANY attorney practicing this type of law that offers Free Phone Consultations. MOST do offer (only) one.
2006-08-23 17:49:42 · answer #1 · answered by chyrelanne 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
This sounds like a scam!! Be more careful who you deal with online and who you give your personal information to. They can't garnish your SSI check unless they actually DO take you to court and find you guilty. They would have to take you to small claims court, and they can't do that over the phone!!! Why would it cost you $1300 in attorney fees to go to court over $109??? They are trying to scare you. Most people who go to small claims court don't use lawyers.
Are you a senior citizen? Telephone scams like this prey on seniors. Do you have any paperwork or proof of the fact that you owe this money? Anything in writing? You need to sit down with a trusted family member and go over ALL the details of this situation. Again, this sounds like a SCAM. I'm sure there are hotlines you can call to get legal info for free. A place to start is your local police.
2006-08-24 00:25:04 · answer #2 · answered by Lori 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Last I knew, SSI was judgment proof. They can't garnish your SSI for something like this, but they can put it on your credit report. If you are worried try to find a lawyer. Many cities have legal aid that will assist people for reduced rates or no rates at all. Don't send these people any money, they can't touch your SSI.
2006-08-24 20:13:56 · answer #3 · answered by Josie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would pay the entire balance off and get rid of it. Then I would find out who was it that got you into this mess and take the money out of their @ss.
2006-08-24 00:24:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
you qualify for legal aid contact yourlocal bar association. they will stop the bully tactics of the collector
2006-08-24 00:32:43 · answer #5 · answered by bigbyone 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
granishments cannot be done on Social Security
2006-08-24 00:22:14 · answer #6 · answered by patclem2 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
just pay the $109.99 and be done with it. then they will vanish from ur life. i understand that they can be annoying
2006-08-24 00:18:09 · answer #7 · answered by BoRiQuA_MaMi 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋