Can wages be garnished in NC for credit card debt?
Andrew Campbell
Updated on January 26, 2026
Most creditors can’t garnish your wages as soon as you fall behind on a credit card payment or medical bill. North Carolina is unique in that it doesn’t allow a creditor with a money judgment to garnish wages. (The creditor can use other approaches, such as taking money out of a bank account.
Can debt collectors take your stimulus check in North Carolina?
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – Millions of Americans will soon receive their $1,400 stimulus check. Can bill collectors take our stimulus check this time? The answer is Yes. Your check can be collected if you have unpaid debts.
When do you get sued for credit card debt in NC?
Time Frame. Under North Carolina law, creditors have three years to file a lawsuit for unpaid credit card debt. The clock starts ticking on the date of the first delinquency on the account. Once the debt passes its expiration date, it’s considered to be “time-barred,” meaning you can no longer be sued.
Can a credit card company sue you for unsecured debt?
Your credit card agreements are legally binding contracts. Unsecured debt is any debt that isn’t backed by real property. Credit cards are a classic example of unsecured debt. Both state and federal laws control how, when and under what circumstances a creditor can sue you for unsecured debt.
How to defend against a credit card debt lawsuit?
If the party that sues you is not the original creditor and you assert lack of standing as a defense, it will have to prove that it has the right to sue you. Often these debt purchasers will attach bills of sale or other documents to the suit which show that it bought debt from your creditor, but not that it bought your particular account.
Can a credit card company sue for lack of standing?
Lack of Standing. A creditor can only sue you if it has a relationship to you. Credit card companies often sell bad debt to debt purchasers. If the party that sues you is not the original creditor and you assert lack of standing as a defense, it will have to prove that it has the right to sue you.
