Any suggestions?

[chsdeb]

What is the name of your state?Hello,
I am sorry that this is so long but it is a long story.
I am desperate for some advice. I really don't know where to turn.
I am a recent single parent of 2. I finally got out of my situation. See, my ex brought me down. He never really provided for us. It has been nothing but a struggle for 20 years. No credit cards or loans because of poor credit. Now I am on my own trying to rebuild my life.
Well, I have a debt that dates back to 1988 for a Sears charge card. Through the years I tried to pay what I could and being in the situation I was in, I never could afford to keep up with the payments.
I have had 2 bank accounts frozen in the past.
I was working with a lawyer and making payments. Then Christmas time came and my ex of course had no money for kids gifts. So I used what little I had. Needles to say it went down hill from there. I could not keep up the payments. I got a certified letter from the Sheriffs office requesting that I pay the sheriff 10% of my paycheck. I was upset but really wanted this debt to go away. So, I made one payment. About a week letter I received a letter from another collection agency representing the same account. I called them and they said that this new letter supersedes anything I have done in the past. The only problem for me was that they wanted almost $2,000.00 more than the total I was paying off a year ago. I asked how can this be? What about all of the past payments? The guy said that he will look into it and no one else will contact me about this account. Well, on Saturday I received another letter from yet another collection agency. Again I was paying off 2,500.00 and their total was over $5,000.00. The man I talked to was quite nasty, had all of my info. He asked me if I can pay him $300.00 a month? I told him if I am lucky I can pay $50.00. He said that he will make a deal and let me pay 50.00 and income tax time give him that money. I ended up hanging up in hysterics. I don't need this aggravation. I am trying to climb up a hill right now and this is just dragging me down. I don't know who I should talk to. I can't afford a lawyer. I am sure that I do need one because I am so tired of all of the errors and different amounts that I am being told that I owe. Should I try to talk to Attorney General or District Attorney? I just know that I need help and don't know where to turn. I would appreciate any advice.
Thank you
CHSDEB

 

[ihatearizona]

When did you last make a payment on this card? Others that read this forum are going to need that date in order to help you.

 

[Ladynred]

You also need to tell us what state you're in - you deleted that part and its VERY important.

Since they've already frozen your bank accounts and are attempting to garnish your wages, you obviously have at least one judgment against, perhaps more than 1 from the sound of it.

So, questions:

What state are you in ?
When did you last pay the original creditors on these accounts ?
Do you know when you were sued and were you served a summons ?
Were these accounts in BOTH names or just yours ?

You may want to consider bankruptcy, but please answer these other questions first.

 

[chsdeb]

When did you last make a payment on this card? Others that read this forum are going to need that date in order to help you.

I live in the state of NY.
I last made a payment back in July started to pay the sheriff. When I called and questioned the collection agency that sent a letter after sending 1st payment to sheriff, they told me that they took the account over and said not to pay sheriff anymore, suddenly everyone was not handling the case. I got back a partial check for the payment to the sheriff. Sheriff actually ended up getting more than what was going to go towards my balance. The collection agency was supposed to investigate what have I paid and what the actual balance should be. And now another collector is involved. I am so afraid, I have nothing they can take from me except my income taxes which gets my kids clothing and things they need. I don't want to lose my income taxes.

 

[Ladynred]

First of all, the Sheriff doesn't collect for creditors on regular debts. The sheriff would ONLY get involved it there was a court-ordered judgment against you. When I asked when you paid the original creditor, I meant when was a payment last made BEFORE you were sued. That means the creditor sends you bills and you send them payments.

Actually, they probably CAN"T take your income taxes, there are VERY few cases where anyone but the government can sieze your tax refunds.

I suggest you call the courthouse in your county and get the information on the judgments that are obviously against you. You seem to be operating in the dark. As the court clerk if there are any judgments against you and then ask for a copy of the case file. If the lawsuit happened in another city or county, then call those courts, but FIND those judgments. It is the ONLY way your'e going to find out exactly what you've been sued for and by whom !