Help please?

i am in so much trouble, just lost my job and have a collection agency after me for two credit cards. i got in a divorce im 2003, could not pay these accounts. A company named midland group has both of my accounts now. they told me that i have to pay now, i told them i am getting 3k in taxes. They told me it is ok, well i lost my job and they called i told them that they said thought. They told me that they are going to take it to the courts to get a order on my tax refund, plus my texas state tax refund. i pleaded with them i need it, i need to use it for rent ect, they then told me to pay 1500 when it comes, then they are going to enforce the balance of 15k and give me a year. I am so scared i need my tax money, i gets direct deposited this friday, Texas state tax next week.

Keep your cool. Threats aside, what do they have the legal power to do? A lawyer or legal services can advise you best, but common sense says nobody can get blood out of a turnip. Collections via court move in waltz time, but you can spend the money in "rock time" (to meet pressing needs, of course!) and they can't do much about it.

Hint: They're making it harder to declare bankruptcy, and only a lawyer or legal services can advise and assist you in this, but our slow-ball courts might give you time to declare bankruptcy if you act fast, if you qualify, and if you can work out the legal fees and expenses of doing so.

Other than that, if you agree to pay something on a legitimate bill to a legitimate agency hired by your creditors, pay it, but don't agree to pay if you can't pay, and don't agree to pay any more than you can actually pay.

Credit Bureau and many other legitimate agencies collect bills. Collecting is no sin, and neither is it any sin-- albeit never a great honor-- to be flat broke. The main defense against responding emotionally to threatening bill collectors is to remember that it takes some time for even a legitimate collection agency to go through the legal channels to make a legitimate collection.

They make it sound like they're going to come and get you right then, because they have learned that scare tactics bring results. Better to scare a poor widow or divorcee into sending in her grocery money and bus fare every month than expend the time and money required to sue her. But the debtor has to decide whether being hungry and walking to work is okay, just so she gets that bill collector off her back. It doesn't have to come to that.

Hey, don't ever tell a bill collector or anybody else ANYTHING about money you already have, might get, or are probably going to get! I am no lawyer, so, lawyers out there, correct me if I am wrong. But, "Don't be telling your family's business to strangers," as my mother once told me.

A bill collector has a legitimate job, but his only purpose is to collect a bill. Creditors have some legal remedies, but a broke person's biggest obligation is to himself and his loved ones, to take care of their basic needs, and, beyond that, the ball is in the creditor's court.

A creditor/bill collector is going to play hard ball, but bill collection, in our lamentably slow and awkward court system, is SLOW hard ball. Even small claims courts and arbitration take some time, so threats cannot be carried out overnight.

I once had a horrendous experience in being broke and dealing with this sort of thing, owing to catastrophic illness combined with unemployment and under-employment, but am still reluctant to advise anybody to listen to me in lieu of getting a lawyer or help from legal services, and certainly must stop short of telling people to ignore bills and not pay at all.

Though, as a formerly bankrupt person, that is what I once was forced to do, I would far rather be a doer of justice-- that is, a willing payer of my legitimate bills-- than be a reluctant recipient of society's reluctant mercy, which is the humbling status of the bankrupt-- but you have to do what you have to do, and God's blessing and my blessing on whatever you decide you must do.

first of all....these are just scare tactics. you need to be informed of your rights.
1. they may only call once per day, and if you request in writing not to call you, they cannot.
2. to take you to court, would take to long to get your refunds. they need a judgement before seizing anything and even after they get a judgement you have 10 days to fight it.
3. they cannot refuse any reasonable offer, especially if you are unemployed.

i recommend you call a legal aid lawyer or bankruptcy lawyer for a free consulation. and don't let them bully you.

good luck and not to worry, there is light at the end of the tunnel. i saw it, so i know!

file bankruptcy, thatll work. you can bounce back from bankruptcy easy, too. they have special programs to help people get themselves back on track

First of all, by the time they obtain a court order which will take a month or more depending if the courts are back up, by that time you should have gotten your tax refund.

If you are still out of a job you need to seek some sort of credit counsel or seek a lawyer to see if bankruptcy is a option for you.

They cant touch your tax return that quick. the agency is a private company and will tell you anything to get your attention, if you talk to them again just tell them you need to set up a payment plan, and they will work with you before they take you to court. I'm sure you can get a job in a short period of time. you should be able to draw unemployment if you didn't shoot your boss or something like that.

Find out your rights. As others have stated, these are scare tactics. They hound you, then hang up and laugh about it. It's just a job to them.

i feel bad for you, you have any family that can help out?

OH thank u for the laugh.
TEXAS does not have an income tax so they lieing.
they can NOT get a judgment or touch ur federal income tax return they are lieing.
next time they call hang up. they are extortionist and terrorists. and criminal.
they can not 'garnish' ur earnings in TEXAS .
they are lieing sacks of manure.
next time they call RECORD the conversation u can make good money from them them.
now relax and laugh cause they can't do what they said.
visit dave ramsey.com to learn what u need to when dealing with these scum.
go out tomorrow and focus on jobs.
get something if u aren't collecting unemployment.
get budget pay 1 food, 2 utilities, 3rent 4 transportation what ever is left spread over outstanding bills.
look up telephone collections laws of federal trade acts.
they are bullies and liars.

Relax, they are just blowing smoke - they can't get at your tax refund for a private debt. Some credit card collectors will tell any lies they think of to try to threaten you into paying.

They could, though, get a judgement on your checking account, but it would take much longer than a week

Let them take you to court. By the time they get around to hearing your case, that tax money will be long gone.This is a civil matter and the courts are way too busy for you to worry about. If they call you back, tell them to never call you again. If they do (make o note of the day and time they call), you can take them to court.

Actually, I've never heard of a private company being able to garnish a tax refund. Call your state's revenue department and ask if what the company is alleging even possible. I think they're just trying to force you to pay. Think about it, if they actually had the power to do what they claims, why have they waited so long.

It looks like your SOL.

First of all, Why did you offer the creditors YOUR income tax amount???? You NEVER offer that info to a creditor! They can file a judgement but all avenues of collection must be made before any of the LEGAL aspects can go forward. Second of all, you state you lost your job. Was it fault of your own or your employer? Did you sign up for 'Loss of employment insurance' through the creditors? Third of all, Midland Collection service WILL use any info you give them to legally collect ANY debt owed with them NO MATTER what the issue is. You should contact the Card Issuers and work out a repayment plan with them. Also, since when does Texas have a state income tax? Is this new for 2007? Call the FMS at 1-800-304-3107, it's an automated system (Computerized), so you don't talk to anyone (for those who know they owe federal or state debts-hint-hint-hint), just enter your social security number in the system, and it will tell you if you have any offsets entered. Best wishes and hey listen, don't offer anyone your expected refund amounts. It's your business not the creditors and surely not anyone elses business. Keep it to yourself.

ALSO, FOR THE RESPONDERS THAT SAID TO CONTACT THE STATE REVENUE DEPARTMENT, TEXAS DOES NOT HAVE A STATE INCOME TAX. THEREFORE, YOUR ANSWERS ARE INCORRECT. ALSO, YOU CAN CHALLENGE ANY CREDIT ISSUES ONLINE, THEY ARE WAYS TO BEAT THE SYSTEM. Creditors will lie to gain info for their benefit, because they get paid for info or payments or their paycheck sucks-hint-hint.

Also, FILE a COMPLAINT with your consumer protection agency and the FTC under the FCRA. goto : http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fcrajump.shtm
and read up. You can sue if you can prove they told you that over the phone.

get one of those people who will pay for it then you pay them in smaller amount with less interest.
besides why on hearth did you tell them about your tax refund?

You might try calling the Tax Payer Advocate Service...

1-877-777-4778

Sometimes they can do things you think the IRS can't do...

The credit card companies are just threatening you. They really can't do much. I had trouble with credit card companies last year and I told them I owe money all over the place. I asked them "when would you like to be paid first or last". Treat these bastards like they owe you money. Don't let them get you down. Just do what you got to do. You might want to pull that return out of the bank the day you get it just to be safe. Don't be afraid to fight back. Something will work out for you sooner than you think. Just stay positive and don't panic. Man I hate credit card companies!

Turn to God. He will help. Trust me.

cool y r u asking such a stupid q?

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