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The Daily Insight Hub

Can credit card collections take your car?

Author

Isabella Turner

Updated on February 12, 2026

Credit card debt, unlike mortgage debt, is unsecured debt. This means your credit card company can’t come immediately take your stuff — including your home or car — when you don’t pay. Once an unsecured creditor obtains a judgment, they can then attach your non-exempt property in satisfaction of past-due debts.

Do debt collectors ever give up?

Professional debt collectors and collection agencies make money by collecting money. If they don’t collect, they don’t make money. So, they can be relentless and rarely give up.

Can a debt collector take my car if I dont make payments?

If you go too long without making a payment, you risk hearing from a debt collector. You may be concerned about what assets a debt collector can seize, particularly if you own something as expensive as a car. In most cases, the debt collector won’t be able to repossess or take your car.

Can a creditor sell a debt to a collection agency?

Some collection agencies may both buy debts and also chase debts on a creditor’s behalf. Creditors will usually sell or ‘assign’ a large amount of debts to a debt purchaser. The debts will be sold at less than their face value, but the debt purchaser is entitled to collect the full balance.

Who is the Barclay credit card debt collector?

Michael has participated as an expert panelist in federal consumer protection rule making, collaborated on state law changes governing debt consolidation, has worked as an expert witness in court matters related to the debt relief industry, and is a regular contributor to several personal finance websites.

Can a debt collector repossess my car in California?

But practically speaking, there are a few hurdles. The first is the fact that some personal property is off-limits to creditors. In our reader’s case, the California exemption protects $2,900 in equity in a vehicle. (In each state, specific property is “exempt” or safe from creditors.