Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    duboisworks's Avatar
    duboisworks Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Jan 25, 2008, 02:56 PM
    How to remove a lien on a social security checking account
    A collection company has placed a lien,frozen my account, on a checking account that has my Social Security direct deposit in it. Last month I made an additional $300 cash deposit into this account. Because of that can they put a lien on the Sociel Security money. How can I remove this lien?
    tickle's Avatar
    tickle Posts: 23,796, Reputation: 2674
    Expert
     
    #2

    Jan 25, 2008, 03:42 PM
    They can take any benefits you may have. You can't remove the lien until all the money you owe is paid up.
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
    Expert
     
    #3

    Jan 25, 2008, 07:17 PM
    You would need to go to court with a motion to have the lien released.
    Most likely you will need an attorney.

    Also in general they can not garnish the actual social security check, but in some areas once it is in the bank, it may be subject to attachment,
    So you need to stop any direct depoisit for now, and not use that bank account unless this gets cleared.
    tickle's Avatar
    tickle Posts: 23,796, Reputation: 2674
    Expert
     
    #4

    Jan 26, 2008, 04:27 AM
    duboisworks, anything, any payment, any benefit that is automatically deposited into an account is subject to garnishment. The gov't. Won't differentiate the deposit and not take it. That is why I said basically, if your social security cheque is in there, then it will be taken as well, to cover the debt. If the govt. wants your debt cleared off, and the direct deposit comes from them in the way of social security cheque, then good luck in having the direct deposit reversed.

    I suggest you read the posts by kayakgirl who is a paralegal on this same subject. It will give you decent insite into your question and the subsequent postings in the same thread will be enlightening.
    mr.yet's Avatar
    mr.yet Posts: 1,725, Reputation: 176
    Ultra Member
     
    #5

    Jan 28, 2008, 05:22 AM
    Copy this and take it to your bank, tell the bank they have violate the law and further action maybe coming their way, also go to the court that issued the lien and file a Motion to Vacate for the same reason.

    For your information about Social Security Benefits


    Safe from Garnishment



    Federal law makes Social Security benefits exempt from levy, garnishment, and assignment- 42 USC 407(a) states. "In general the right of any future payments under this sub chapter SHALL NOT be Transferable or assignable. AND NONE of the moneys paid or payable or rights existing under this subchapter shall be subject to execution, levey, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process, or to the operation of any bankruptcy or insolvency law".

    This means that even if a creditor or debt attorney, collection agency has a judgement against you they CAN NOT garnish your SS payments nor can they take the money from you after it has been paid to you; for example, the portion of your bank account that is attributable to your SS benefits is EXEMPT from LEVY OR ATTACHMENT
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
    Uber Member
     
    #6

    Jan 28, 2008, 07:35 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by tickle
    duboisworks, anything, any payment, any benefit that is automatically deposited into an account is subject to garnishment. The gov't. wont differentiate the deposit and not take it. That is why i said basically, if your social security cheque is in there, then it will be taken as well, to cover the debt. If the govt. wants your debt cleared off, and the direct deposit comes from them in the way of social security cheque, then good luck in having the direct deposit reversed.

    I suggest you read the posts by kayakgirl who is a paralegal on this same subject. It will give you decent insite into your question and the subsequent postings in the same thread will be enlightening.


    I did not read what Kayakgirl has posted but, that having been said, this is absolutely not correct - SS is EXEMPT from garnishment for a debt.

    It's Federal law.
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
    Computer Expert and Renaissance Man
     
    #7

    Jan 28, 2008, 07:49 AM
    Lets get the facts straight here. Social security payments are not garnishable. This means the creditor can't serve the SSA with a garnishment order. However, once the money is deposited into a bank account, it becomes commingled funds and IS subject to attachment. The bank cannot make any distinction between the source of the funds unless previously informed.

    So you messed up, knowing there was a judgement against you, you should have informed your bank, that that account was used for direct deposit of social security payments which are exempt.

    Now there is an additional problem of the $300. That money is not exempt so that may be attachable.

    What you need to do now is what Mr Yet suggested. You need to inform the bank of the source of the funds and Give an accounting. You then need a to file a motion with the court that issued the garnishment to vacate or adjust the order.
    duboisworks's Avatar
    duboisworks Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #8

    Aug 10, 2008, 10:38 AM
    I have a Social Security account direct deposit and in July I deposited the Stimulus check of $300 into it.It was spent to pay up my last seasons fuel bill. This August a collection company put a lien on this account and they asked for 3 months of statements from my bank account. Of course the $300 deposit was there. They say they can demand that money and are doing so.Can they?::confused:
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
    Uber Member
     
    #9

    Aug 10, 2008, 10:58 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by duboisworks
    I have a Social Security account direct deposit and in July I deposited the Stimulus check of $300 into it.It was spent to pay up my last seasons fuel bill. This August a collection company put a lein on this account and they asked for 3 months of statements from my bank account. Of course the $300 deposit was there. They say they can demand that money and are doing so.Can they?::confused:

    I believe they can - it's not SS benefits, it's a stimulus check.

    I would believe they are attempting to determine if the money in your account was strictly SS (exempt) benefits of co-mingled funds. This has been addressed before in great detail in answer to your earlier post.

    This $300 does make the money in your bank co-mingled funds and the monies can be seized.

    I realize Mr Yet posted that according to law SS monies remain unattachable even if co-mingled; a friend of mine (on SS disability) just had this same situation and the account WAS frozen and seized because the Court said no one has the time or inclination to go through the account, item line by item line, and determine what was deposited, what was spent, whether the money spent came from the SS check or the other deposit. Therefore, she could not get the seizure lifted and the money came out of her account.
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
    Computer Expert and Renaissance Man
     
    #10

    Aug 10, 2008, 11:17 AM
    If the balance of your account is currently greater than $300 then yes they can demand that money. You can't prove that the $300 you spent was the same $300 that was deposited. Its commingled funds. So any non exempt funds that were deposited could be considered fair game.

    If this were to go to court I think you would lose.
    duboisworks's Avatar
    duboisworks Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #11

    Aug 10, 2008, 11:22 AM
    Judykay tee: Thanks, that's what I'm being told by the bank, who have added $75 charges to all of this.I'm also being told my account can be frozen every 6 months or more! It really sucks.
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
    Uber Member
     
    #12

    Aug 10, 2008, 11:23 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by duboisworks
    Judykay tee: Thanks, that's what I'm being told by the bank, who have added $75 charges to all of this.I'm also being told my account can be frozen every 6 months or more!! It really sucks.

    Did you stop the automatic deposit - or don't put anything else in the account. That would end it.

    And then I would close the account and let them find you all over again.

    If you can -
    duboisworks's Avatar
    duboisworks Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #13

    Aug 10, 2008, 05:08 PM
    Judykaytee: Yes I've done all of that but when they put the lean on most of my SocSec money was in it with checks made out on those funds .Now it seems the bank is holding those checks and after the collection agency removes $300, the bank already collected its $75 many of my checks will bounce and the bank will charge me $25 a piece for that not to mention the charges from the companies I made the checks out to. Do you have any suggestions as to how to stop this snowballing?
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
    Uber Member
     
    #14

    Aug 10, 2008, 05:14 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by duboisworks
    judykaytee: Yes I've done all of that but when they put the lean on most of my SocSec money was in it with checks made out on those funds .Now it seems the bank is holding those checks and after the collection agency removes $300, the bank already collected its $75 many of my checks will bounce and the bank will charge me $25 a peice for that not to mention the charges from the companies I made the checks out to. Do you have any suggestions as to how to stop this snowballing?


    Wow, I wish I did but the banks sort of make up their own rules as they go along. Sounds like this is going to be a VERY expensive experience.

    You could always consult with an Attorney to see what to do, perhaps get the whole "seizure" think knocked out of the question but that would also cost you money and I don't know that you can win.
    Jim645D's Avatar
    Jim645D Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #15

    Aug 16, 2008, 07:13 AM
    Whatever you do, do not believe the banks. You can ask all you want and inform them of the SSI Direct Deposit payments, but getting through to their legal department is a lost cause. I experienced this with Chase. Finally, I contacted a attorney, who simply said... HAVE THE CHECK MAILED TO YOU, AND IT CAN'T BE TOUCHED. When the bank saw what was happening, they... unfroze the account, and deposited back again what was taken, plus all the charges.

    They also used the old COMINGLED trick, but I raised so much heck that it finally changed. I still won't trust the bank. Regardless of what they say.

    Quote Originally Posted by duboisworks
    judykaytee: Yes I've done all of that but when they put the lean on most of my SocSec money was in it with checks made out on those funds .Now it seems the bank is holding those checks and after the collection agency removes $300, the bank already collected its $75 many of my checks will bounce and the bank will charge me $25 a peice for that not to mention the charges from the companies I made the checks out to. Do you have any suggestions as to how to stop this snowballing?


    It's a GET YOUR MONEY THING. The banks don't care. If they can get away with it, they will keep trying. They use the excuse... WE'RE BOUND. All of this happened to me because of $18,000.00 ID Theft.
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
    Computer Expert and Renaissance Man
     
    #16

    Aug 16, 2008, 05:22 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Jim645D
    The banks don't care. If they can get away with it, they will keep trying. They use the excuse...WE'RE BOUND.
    I have to comment on this. Banks don't get anything out of a levy. In fact it costs them money. But then, an attempt to fight it costs them even more.
    rhhellmann2's Avatar
    rhhellmann2 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #17

    May 27, 2011, 08:26 PM
    Comment on JudyKayTee's post
    You should never put the $300 in your checking as you do not want your creditors to find it. Just get a money order for the amount to be paid etc.I guess this is too late but this is for future info.My bank told me since the judgment was on my property & I need to get this off so that evil female will not get money that I do not owe, do not deposit any money into your checking at this time so the liars and courts will not see it or get it. Lay low with any money you get and hold on to it so no one sees it for now. Rita- YOu see how power plays a role in peoples lives who have more money that you. I cannot believe this has happened to me.This 2006 to present case has caused me to lose those years of my life. I had no money for atty. & typed, copy, mail, drive, lost sleep, stamps, mail copies to the 4 people involed in the case.I just hated to type the liars names on the docs & the envelopes.I did not want to see their faces in courts. Glad for these [email protected]

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Can I stop direct deposit if I think of a checking account lien [ 6 Answers ]

I may have a property going into foreclosure with 2 missed payments. I was thinking of filing chap 7 , I took the means test and my income is below the requirements. I also was wondering if you can get a company like a hospital to stop direct deposit if I think I am going To have a judgements from...

Lien on checking account [ 1 Answers ]

If a mortgage company forcloses on my on property I defaulted on , can they seek a lien on my checking account?

Freezing a social security disability checking account [ 3 Answers ]

In December of 2006 I suffered heart failure and was sent to 3 different hospitals. I was out of work (part time at minimum wage) for a few months, so I tried every avenue, medicaid, hospital charity programs, etc. to pay the bills that eventually lead up to $125,000 plus, but was denied. My...

Social Security Tax Lien [ 2 Answers ]

The IRS has levied my SS benefits because of an unpaid tax. They take 15% each month. The levy was done before the 10 yr. statute for collection expired. Can the IRS continue this levy indefinitely even after the 10 years are up? I have no other income or property.

Joint account with husband social security+salary deposit of both [ 3 Answers ]

Hi, I would appreciate anybody's help on my question. I recently started working as a consultant.My husband has an account and we are planning to make it joint account and we both can deposit our salary's in it.The account is in my husband social security no. My question is once it get joint...


View more questions Search