I live in NY State. Approximately 1 month ago, I had my bank accounts frozen due to a long overdue credit card debt. I contacted the creditor who wanted the entire amount to release the accounts. I was unable to pay. They sent a garnishment arrangement letter to my local Sheriff's Office, but are still refusing to release the hold. Can they keep my bank accounts frozen when a garnishment arrangement has been established?

I live in NY State. Approximately 1 month ago, I had my bank accounts frozen due to a long overdue credit card debt. I contacted the creditor who wanted the entire amount to release the accounts. I was unable to pay. They sent a garnishment arrangement letter to my local Sheriff's Office, but are still refusing to release the hold. Can they keep my bank accounts frozen when a garnishment arrangement has been established?


They can do nothing without a Court Judgment against you - do they have a Judgment? That's step #1.

They do. I received something in the mail a while back stating that the judgement had been entered against me. I had a garnishment in the past. With that one, once I received the judgement in the mail, approximately 2 weeks later, my payroll department contacted me to let me know when the garnishment would begin. However, I have never had my bank accounts frozen.