== == Yes they can. Happens all the time.
It wount be a collection aggency. But the city can put a judgment on your credit report that will effect your credit score.
No. Court is a must
if a collection agency isn't paid, the debt can be put on a persons credit report. The collection agency can also choose to garnish a persons paycheck.
If the collection agency works in tandem with a law firm (which is the case most of the time) then the answer is yes. What does this mean? If a judgment is granted by a judge, then it is the age old saying, pay me now or pay me later. Anytime your credit is ran (over the next 20 years) then it will show and credit will not be granted until the judgment is satisfied. Keep in mind if a judgment is granted interest probably continues to accrue until satisfied. If at all possible, it is best to inter into a stipulation agreement with the firm and work it out.
They will need to sue you and get a judgment against you first. After that, yes they can do those things, including garnish your paycheck.
You cannot be arrested for failing to pay a debt. The collection could sue you, but the judgment would be nearly impossible to enforce. Your disability benefits cannot be taken or garnished to enforce the judgment. The most they could do is put the judgment on your credit rating, put a lien on your property and perhaps have some of your nonexempt property taken and sold to pay toward the judgment.
Yes the second collection will be placed on the credit report. But they will remove the first collection agency off the report. In some states it is against the law to be double billed by two collection agency for the same debt.
This depends only if the creditor originally reported your account to your credit report.
If they obtain a judgment against you, some state's houses are protected
To get an outstanding judgment placed on someone's credit report, you would need to first obtain a court judgment against the individual and then typically file a separate request with the credit bureaus to have it added to their credit report. This can negatively impact their credit score and make it more difficult for them to secure loans or credit in the future.
It is possible for the collection agency to put a lien on your bank account. Before they can do this, they must go through the proper procedures first.
The debt could become a judgment. Do not put yourself in a state of worry. Your options are to settle this debt or once this account is placed on your report as a judgment you can submit an offer to compromise. Especially if you are struggling with your finances.