Quick Summary Owing credit card debt in Texas is a civil matter, not a criminal one, and no law allows a creditor to have you arrested simply because you have an unpaid credit card balance. Debt collectors who threaten jail time may be violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Creditors do have legal…
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Quick Summary The FDCPA sets firm federal rules on how debt collectors can contact consumers, what they can say, and what tactics are off-limits entirely. Texas residents are protected under this law regardless of where the debt originated or who is collecting it. Violations are more common than many people expect, and collectors who cross…
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Quick Summary Georgia law sets time limits on how long creditors may have to file a lawsuit over unpaid debts, and those deadlines depend on the type of debt and the legal claim involved. Even after the applicable statute of limitations expires, collectors may still attempt lawful collection activity in some situations, but filing or…
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Quick Summary Private student loan lenders cannot garnish your wages without first taking you to court and obtaining a judgment against you. Federal student loans operate under different rules and may allow administrative wage garnishment without a court judgment in certain circumstances under federal law. In Texas, current wages are generally protected from garnishment for…
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Quick Summary Owing credit card debt in Texas is a civil matter, not a criminal one, and no law allows a creditor to have you arrested simply because you have an unpaid credit card balance. Debt collectors who threaten jail time may be violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Creditors do have legal…
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Quick Summary Texas lenders can repossess a vehicle without a court order or advance notice, but the repossession process is subject to legal limits that consumers can enforce. A breach of peace during the repo, defects in the post-sale notice, or improper handling of personal belongings can each create legal recourse and may eliminate a…
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Quick Summary The FDCPA permits debt collectors to contact third parties to locate a consumer, but the law restricts those contacts to a single interaction per person, prohibits any disclosure of the debt, and bars collectors from using company names that signal collection activity. Once a consumer retains legal representation, all third-party contact must stop…
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Quick Summary Unpaid consumer debt in Georgia does not result in jail time. The legal risk arises when a debtor ignores court orders tied to a civil judgment, such as failing to appear for a debtor's examination, which can lead to a contempt finding and an arrest warrant. Debt collectors who threaten arrest over unpaid…
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Quick Summary Federal student loans in default can reduce Social Security retirement benefits and SSDI through the Treasury Offset Program, taking up to 15 percent of monthly benefits while leaving a minimum of $750. Private student loans carry no such authority, and SSI is fully protected regardless of loan type. A federal pause on Social…
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