Can a Debt Collector Get Into My Bank Account? Can debt collectors take money from your bank account to offset debts you owe them? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. But it takes a lot to get to that scenario, so if you’re not there yet you still have time to learn how to protect yourself from this type of collections activity.
In truth, it’s fairly rare to have a bank account that no creditor can touch. While laws in your state might help protect your accounts from private collectors, if you owe tax debt or other federal or state funds, your accounts might be up for grabs.
Creditors can’t just attack your bank accounts because you were a little late or stopped paying your bills. To be able to levy or garnish your accounts, creditors and collection agencies have to go through legal channels. Typically, it’s ideal to consult an attorney if you can regarding any lawsuit you’re named in. But even if you can’t, don’t ignore the summons.