Q: Can a third-party collection agency take my driver's license.
The third party is also wanting my bank information. I have been paying the third party with money orders. They are now saying I need to give them gift cards instead of money orders. I do not want to give them my bank information. And they also keep changing the amount they say I owe for the car being repaired.
A:
No, a third party collection agency cannot take your drivers' license in collecting a debt. The Texas DPS will suspend your drivers license if you are in a crash that is your fault, you don't have insurance, and the crash causes at least $1,000 damages. See https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/crash-suspension
I would not agree to pay a debt or debt collector with gift cards. With respect to the amount of car repairs, ask for the invoice from the mechanic's shop doing the repairs, and then verify with that shop that the invoice is genuine. If the shop sounds shady (like Joe's Body Repair instead of a name brand like Collision Center), verify that the business is legit with the Texas SOS before paying anything.
Definitely get a written document signed by the other driver and the owner of the other vehicle verifying the amount of damages and agreeing to release you from any further liability upon payment of a specific sum of money. Keep proof of your payments. Realize that companies that issue money orders do not keep their records indefinitely, so make sure you get proof that the money order was negotiated by the other party and keep that proof in your permanent records for at least four years.
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