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Pennsylvania Collections Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: I believe the time limit is beyond past but 12/22/2021 was my disposition date. is there anything i’m able to do?

My car was repossessed 9/29/2020. the court papers were filed it says online 3/21/2021. then notice issued 3/22 etc. it was continues on 4/21. issue was unclaimed by me 4/28. then kept being continued by judge 10/17. i was not given papers directly. someone else took it upon themself to accept... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can fundo legally put a hold on my gig accounts until I pay them $3700+ on a $500 loan I received 3 months ago?

They gave me only $400 of the $500 loan because they said $100 of it was for fees. Now one of the gig companies I deliver for has written me and said that fundo has put a legal hold on my account and so they (Roadie) have to suspend my account until I pay fundo. I was hit by a teenager in November... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Banking, Business Law and Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can a merchant pursue a customer after losing a dispute case with American Express?

I rented a vehicle from SIXT at Lisbon Portugal Airport in August 2023.

Regrettably, the rental car provided by SIXT had pre-existing windshield damage.

• Due to the low light in the garage crack was not visible.

• On September 15, 2023, SIXT charged my credit card... View More

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Feb 7, 2024

Yes they can.

Your options are to file a lawsuit or defend a lawsuit they may bring.

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1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: I settled with a debt collector money order never arrived at the destination

I settled with a debt collector years back sent in a money order never arrived at the destination when I sent the money order at usps it was in transit for months and I just never followed up on it how would I go about resolving this for the amount that we settled upon or do I have to pay the full... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Dec 4, 2023

Based upon what has been reported to us as bankruptcy counsel, our best advice is to deal directly with whatever creditor is pursuing you. The "collector" charges a fee for its service, and that fee is passed along to you, whether disclosed or not.

You should be able to get your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can social security be garnished for credit card debt in PA?

My 72 yr old Aunt has advanced dementia, is being cared for by her sister (my Mom) and has thousands in credit card debt. My Mom is paying the debt but needs extra help to care for my aunt and doesn't have the money to pay for it. Can she stop paying the cc debt (from my Aunt's social... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Nov 18, 2023

While Social Security payments are exempt from judgment creditors in PA (and almost all other places), a creditor with a judgment can require the debtor to appear for deposition in aid of execution, or force responses to other forms of discovery in aid of execution.

To fend that off, most...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: I just got a bill from a plumbing company. Work was done by the guy he bought out and he billed me right before he sold.

The original plumber sent me an unitemized bill one year after the work. The verbal quote was less than 1/3 of the bill. I asked for more information. He sold the company. I called the new owner and he said I did not have an outstanding bill and all was good. One year later he bills me for the work... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Oct 17, 2023

"Can he"?

Sure. Anybody with a couple hundred dollars for the court costs can sue anybody else for any reason.

But can the plaintiff win on what gets filed?

There's the rub, lol. From what you say, it sounds like this plumber's claim would fail. BUT,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: How to respond to a collecting agency mail letters and calls?
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Sep 11, 2023

Keep track of all calls and letters, and any other form of contact, including any efforts to contact you or your employer at work. Applicable laws may entitle you to make a successful claim against the collector.

If you engage counsel, a simple letter from you or counsel to the collector...
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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Small Claims and Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: Do I need to file bankruptcy in order to apply federal exemptions to a default judgment against me on an unsecured loan?

I'm a disabled resident of Bradford County on SSDI with no other source of income. I own a car worth $14k that I purchased outright using my disability benefits and I have personal belongings within my rented apartment, but hold no real significant value. A creditor is currently suing me for... View More

David Kennedy Bifulco
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answered on Sep 3, 2023

For Federal Exemptions to apply you would need to be in Federal Court. Pennsylvania has exemptions for levy's and garnishments that a Pennsylvania attorney can advise you of. You should speak with a Pennsylvania attorney in Bradford County so they can assist you with your rights. Since you... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: Money is tough right now. I am debating giving my car back to my finance company. I live in PA.

I could owe them over 20,000 after they sell it, moved to much equity to high interest loan in 2019. During the pandemic I skipped payments basically still owe what I paid for it. Are the chances of a lawsuit from them high?

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jul 5, 2023

If you voluntarily choose to give your car back to your finance company, it is possible that they may still pursue you for the remaining balance on the loan. This is known as a deficiency balance, which is the difference between what you owe on the loan and the amount the finance company is able to... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: My wife received an oral deposition notice from a law firm via certified mail looking to collect a +10 year old debt

My wife received an oral deposition saying that she is to appear and testify "in aid of execution concerning all of her income, assets and property, including personal property, which may be subject to execution in satisfaction of the judgment obtained by Plaintiff against [her] in the... View More

Daniel Edward Mueller
Daniel Edward Mueller
answered on May 10, 2023

It is possible that a creditor sued your wife on a debt, and, for whatever reason, she was never properly served. This might happen, for example, if the creditor cannot find the defendant and obtains permission for alternate service by mail or publication. If there is no response, the creditor... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Small Claims for Pennsylvania on
Q: what if I got a judgment of $ 12000 how they can collect this amount I'm 75 and my pension only $ 900 a month
David Kennedy Bifulco
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answered on Apr 27, 2023

Without more information on your particular financial situation it is not possible to give you a complete answer. Regarding your Social Security payments they are protected from collection. You may have other assets that they can attach so you will want to contact an attorney with experience in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: Does transferring a civil judgment from one county to another in PA restart the statute?

judgment was granted in 2001 in Westmoreland county, transferred to Allegheny in 2012. Can we execute on it, or has it passed the SOL?

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Mar 28, 2023

A judgment rendered by a PA court goes "dormant" after five years of inactivity, but may be kept "alive" is the creditor executes on the judgment, or issues discovery in aid, within that five year period.

A judgment rendered by a PA District Court (small claims, under...
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Business Law, Car Accidents and Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can independent contractor bill a person for lost wages

.

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Nov 21, 2022

You would have to see a lawyer to determine whether you can sue the other party for lost wages. Employment laws vary from state to state. I think you'd have a tough time proving that you lost income as an independent contractor. W2 employee income is known and predictable, but yours isn't... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Litigation and Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: I received a call from a courier saying that i had certified mail from someone and gave me a phone # and case ID #. So,

I called and they said that I owed money to Wells Fargo regarding an account at Wachovia 30 years ago, I think. They said that they could take me to court so what once was $300 of outstanding debt, give or take, is now $4000 with penalties and fees and lawyers fees. But they will settle for $1200.... View More

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Oct 31, 2022

It sounds like a scam. I'd ignore it. If its a scam, there is no lawsuit and never will be. Moreover you have to be served with the complaint and summons by someone authorized by Pennsylvania law to do so. Relax and enjoy Halloween night.

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3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: if a home had a heloc loan on it from 03, and was never paid and the deed was given to me can the 3rd party foreclose?

my grandparents had a loan on the house before they passed. left the house to my aunt, no one wants the house. the original loan was with a bank that was taken over by another bank. the loan was 10,000. a third party took the loan pennies on a dollar and 2020 and now want 26,900, my aunt... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Oct 31, 2022

There is a PA statute providing a 20-year statute of limitations on actions upon real property mortgages. If the mortgage holder has failed to take action within twenty years from the date of first default, it will be barred from initiating suit. Until then, however, the mortgage holder is free... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can I be sued because my payments aren’t high enough for the collection agent?

I have been making monthly payments since June of 2020. Never missed a payment. Now they are suing me because my payments aren’t high enough. They said I have to agree to an amount I can’t afford or take my chances in court and hung up on me.

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Sep 9, 2022

Yes. You can't just send a payment amount that you can afford without an agreement that your payments are acceptable. Suppose your debt is $10,000.00 and you are making monthly payments of $20.00 without an agreement that the at $20.00 is acceptable.

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: I got a call from a debt collector and told them to stop calling me. They said they'd only do so for a 30 Day period.

Does this violate the FDCPA

David Kennedy Bifulco
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answered on Aug 28, 2022

They are telling you that they are accepting your verbal request for verification of debt. Within that 30 days they will likely mail you a copy of verification of debt. After they provide you with the required information they may or may not give you a follow-up call. They may start litigation... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Family Law, Collections and Small Claims for Pennsylvania on
Q: I have power of attorney to someone.Who refuses to repay me?

I covered all thr expenses while they wer incarcerated including paying for power of attorney lawyer. They now are working and refuse to repay me

David Kennedy Bifulco
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answered on Jun 16, 2022

Without more information it is not possible to answer your question. You should contact an attorney that is experienced in collections and provide the attorney with all the details to get an answer to your questions.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Collections for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can I revoke Limited Power of Atty with Asset recovery company? They stopped answering questions once I signed.

The tax borough told me they could hold the funds up to three years. I went to them in February 2022 with a notarized letter requesting my funds. They told me they needed it in order to release my funds. The tax borough said check back in a year! I received a letter from this Asset recovery firm... View More

David Kennedy Bifulco
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answered on Jun 16, 2022

Sounds like you may have been scammed. If I understand correctly this Asset Recovery company had you agree to have the check sent to them so they could cash it and take their fee. You should speak with an attorney and have the agreements and paperwork reviewed. You may be fine, but it also may... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Collections and Probate for Pennsylvania on
Q: My father recently passed, resided in PA and had no assets and or no estate He did have over $30,000 of sole-owed debt.

Funeral expenses will be paid by family members. He had less than $250 in the bank, and once Social Security re-claims the pro-rated portion of his monthly benefit paid at the beginning of the month, there will be insufficient funds. There is no life insurance, property, vehicle, etc. Can the... View More

Stephen M. Asbel
Stephen M. Asbel
answered on Jun 2, 2022

As a practical matter, if the credit card issuers are notified by letter that your father is deceased, there are no assets available to pay their bills and the family is not raising an estate administration, the likely result will be they will write off the balance. To the extent there is any... View More

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