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The Daily Insight Hub

Does Pa allow wage garnishment for credit card debt?

Author

Andrew Campbell

Updated on January 26, 2026

Under Pennsylvania law, the garnishment of wages can only occur in limited circumstances and a Credit Card Company does not meet the criteria in most cases. Such a threat is illegal as it is a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. We can sue the debt collector if they have made such a threat against you.

Can a landlord garnish your wages in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania Law Allows Landlords To Garnish Wages The law directs the employer of the defendant (the garnishee) to garnish 10% of the defendant’s net wages once the proper procedure for garnishing wages is followed.

Can your bank account be garnished in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania does permit what is called “bank garnishment.” This means if you have money in a bank, a creditor may obtain a judgment against you in court and garnish whatever money is deposited there – even if that money is from a direct deposit of wages. Once the money is in the bank, it is subject to garnishment.

How long can a creditor come after you in PA?

Pennsylvania has a statute of limitations of six years for typical debts. If it’s been more than six years since a credit card debt or contractual loan obligation became due, the creditor can no longer take collection actions for that debt. This is a standard statute of limitations and is on par with most other states.

Can a creditor freeze my bank account in PA?

Can a judgment creditor levy funds in your bank account in Pennsylvania? The short answer is yes. If a creditor obtains a judgment against you, it can obtain a writ of execution to levy your bank account without prior notice to you. The bank account will be frozen, and you will have a period in which to respond.

Can a debt collector freeze your bank account in PA?

Why is there a wage garnishment law in Pennsylvania?

Federal wage garnishment laws exist to ensure that you have funds to pay living expenses. Pennsylvania’s wage garnishment laws go further by limiting the type of debt a creditor can use a wage garnishment for, as well as the amount that a creditor can seize or “garnish” from your wages.

Can you get a garnishment for back rent in PA?

Back rent. In Pennsylvania, garnishments to satisfy judgments for back rent on a residential lease are limited to 10% of net wages provided the garnishment does not cause your salary to fall below the federal poverty guidelines. If your earnings aren’t above the federal poverty guidelines, no garnishment is permitted.

Can a employer discharge you if you have a wage garnishment?

According to federal law, your employer cannot discharge you if you have one wage garnishment. However, federal law won’t protect you if you have more than one wage garnishment order. Pennsylvania follows federal law.

How much can I get garnished from my paycheck?

The U.S. Department of Education (or any entity collecting for this agency) can use an administrative garnishment to deduct wages without a court judgment in an amount of up to 15% of your disposable income, but not more than 30 times the federal minimum wage.