Wage Garnishment...help

[Pillow]

Hi, I just received a letter stating that I have 30 days to respond to a wage garnishment request that has been set in motion by the Department of Education. Last month I recieved a phone call from DOE at work and was told I could enter into a rehabilitation payment plan, I agreed and asked for something in writing I was told by the rep that there was nothing that she could give me in writing until I gave her my bank information and allowed her to put a $200 hold in my account. She told me that I had to agree to that amount and after the $200 is paid I would have to pay $50 a month. I told her I can agree to $50 a month but I still needed something in writing before I could give any of my bank information, again we went in the same circle. I told her again I would enter into the program but I needed something in writing and I'm definitly not giving my bank info over the phone.

 

She told me that I was refusing to pay and that she would garnish my wages. I told her she was wrong and that I only wanted something in writing, I offered a fax number where she could fax me some information, again she refused. I then asked her to please do not call my job and to contact me via mail from now on, well the following day I received another call from the office and she put her superviser on the phone and she offered me the same deal and again I agreed to pay $50 a month but I would not give my bank information over the phone to allow them to put a $200 hold on my account. SO they told me that I have no other choice but to be garnished.

 

So now I have this letter that says I can voluntary make payments but now they have to be equal to 15% of my income, I'm willing to pay but I can't afford %15 of my income, my loan is $3800, can they refuse my offer of $50-75 a month?

 

PS, all of this is sooo new to me, so if I was wrong in wanting written proof of an arrangement BEFORE even thinking of giving my bank info please let me know because I don't know if that was the law or just the offices practice.

[TxQuiltGirl]

If you do a search here on rehab, you will find a wealth of information. And if you search here on my name, you will find some information about wage garnishment.

 

You fast tracked yourself to wage garnishment by telling them not to call you. Now you need to try to fix it, if it's not too late.

[Pillow]

If you do a search here on rehab, you will find a wealth of information. And if you search here on my name, you will find some information about wage garnishment.

 

You fast tracked yourself to wage garnishment by telling them not to call you. Now you need to try to fix it, if it's not too late.

 

 

Thank you very much for your help, im starting on the search now...thanks!!

[LynnInMN]

 

So now I have this letter that says I can voluntary make payments but now they have to be equal to 15% of my income, I'm willing to pay but I can't afford %15 of my income, my loan is $3800, can they refuse my offer of $50-75 a month?

Technically they could. You will need to provide an indepeth financial statement showing why you can only afford that much.

 

PS, all of this is sooo new to me, so if I was wrong in wanting written proof of an arrangement BEFORE even thinking of giving my bank info please let me know because I don't know if that was the law or just the offices practice.

They do not have to provide you with any proof of an arrangement ever. You have a contract that states balance due in full on demand upon default. Technically that is your arrangement. Any plan they set up with you is done verbally as not to voide the original contract.

 

 

Edited May 1, 2006 by LynnInMN