Back in 2006, I took out a payday loan with an online company for $500.00. I was also pregnant at this time and the next week was ordered by the doctor to stop working and go on bed rest. So, I received one last check which I used to pay what I needed, being that I would be on unpaid Maternity leave for at least 3 months.
January of this year, I get a message through my mother that someone contacted her and are bringing charges against me for fraud. I call the number back and its an outsourcing law firm on behalf of the payday loan company. I spoke with Mr. Kelly who I told my situation and he set up a payment plan with me for $20 per month and I gave the first $20 payment then. I also gave him my bank account info to take it out every month. I wasn't aware that they hadn't been taking it and I never heard from them again until this past week.
I am now being told that they will not accept $20/month and that the bill is now over $850.00. That I must pay all of this in one or two payments and those are my only options. They tell me that the next step is that I will receive a summons to appear in court on charges of knowingly defrauding a contract and some other very serious sounding crimes. I did not intentionally not pay them back and have tried to make arrangements with them for what I can afford. I have asked for copies of the contract only to be hung up on numerous times and told not to contact them unless I have my own attorney or my check book in hand to pay them. They have threatened to garnish my wages and a letter was sent to verify my employment to my job. My supervisor gave it to me and we did not reply. I cannot afford to pay the whole amount or even half right now. I am in over my head in just bills that I need for me and my children. Can they really garnish my wages and sue me for this with criminal charges? What can I do? Please help!
January of this year, I get a message through my mother that someone contacted her and are bringing charges against me for fraud. I call the number back and its an outsourcing law firm on behalf of the payday loan company. I spoke with Mr. Kelly who I told my situation and he set up a payment plan with me for $20 per month and I gave the first $20 payment then. I also gave him my bank account info to take it out every month. I wasn't aware that they hadn't been taking it and I never heard from them again until this past week.
I am now being told that they will not accept $20/month and that the bill is now over $850.00. That I must pay all of this in one or two payments and those are my only options. They tell me that the next step is that I will receive a summons to appear in court on charges of knowingly defrauding a contract and some other very serious sounding crimes. I did not intentionally not pay them back and have tried to make arrangements with them for what I can afford. I have asked for copies of the contract only to be hung up on numerous times and told not to contact them unless I have my own attorney or my check book in hand to pay them. They have threatened to garnish my wages and a letter was sent to verify my employment to my job. My supervisor gave it to me and we did not reply. I cannot afford to pay the whole amount or even half right now. I am in over my head in just bills that I need for me and my children. Can they really garnish my wages and sue me for this with criminal charges? What can I do? Please help!
