Bank Account Garnishment

Question: A creditor threatened to take money I owe them from my bank. I’ve never heard of bank account garnishment. Can they do that?

Answer: It’s not technically bank account garnishment, but the creditor may be able to get money from your bank accounts. The creditor can use a bank levy, which allows them to freeze your account and ultimately collect what you owe.

• Bank Levy Basics

Garnishment is a little different. When they demand payment from your employer - instead of the bank - they garnish your wages. If your paycheck is deposited into the bank anyway, the process feels just like bank account garnishment.