Can you be put in jail if you don't pay your credit card bills because of lay off circumstances?
Answer:
I don't know about the jail situation but I do know that there are programs offered by the credit card companies to help you out. I was recently behind by a few months on most of my cards due to unemployment. I contacted the credit card companies and told them that it was impossible for me to pay the outstanding minimum amount due. I discovered that the companies have a hardship program available. It's not always that simple depending on which rep. you speak to because they don't want to give the hardship program that easily. If you get a jerk that says that the company doesn't have a program then you may want to speak to a supervisor or just try to call again until you get a rep. that can help. One company that I contacted I actually asked the rep. if the company has a hardship program and she told me that they didn't. I called another day to the same company and spoke to a different rep. and told him my situation and he actually offered the program to me. Pretty funny how one rep. claims the company has no hardship program and then the next rep. offers one to me. Sorry that I don't have info. about the jail situation but I'm sure jail doesn't come into the picture. I'm sure that the credit card companies just send your account to collections and they never leave you alone again!
Not unless somekind of fraud is involved
Don't really think so, but you might be taken to court, and you might have to sell whatever you own to pay them off.
no
no, but your credit history plays a key role all your life. if you really have been laid off, contact your credit card holders right away and try to work out a plan to repay them. don't continue to use credit, or just pay off the minimum balance, always pay more than min. good luck
Not at all, that would be a civil situation, not a crime. You will just be refered to collection agencies if they become too overdue and may eventually be sued, but can't be imprisoned.
Never heard of anyone going to jail because they didn't pay their bill. You can be taken to court. They can put a lien on any real property that you own.
I don't know where you are from but, not in Canada, they'll hassle the hell outa you though.
Call your card companies and explain your circumstances. They should be able to work something out with you. Very unlikely that they would put you in jail.
No, but you just might want to be when all of the harrassing letters and phone calls start. The best thing to do is to communicate with them and let them know what is going on. Sometimes they might offer an option to help you temorarily get through the idle period.
Jail, no. But you will get the collection agents after you.
There is not a "Detbter's Prison" in the United States. What can happen is that they can sue you and/or have the court garnish your wages.
No. This is not a criminal offense. See the site below for more details on the difference.
No
A credit card bill is a civil matter, not criminal. Unless there is fraud, there is no criminal act.
Do not allow a bill collector to threaten you with jail. That is illegal!
No, but if you don't pay them they will come after you. You could be taken to court if no payments are made. You need to call them and let them know your circumstance, most creditors will work with you but you will probably have to pay something to them every month.
Debtor's prison was abolished many moons ago. Unless you are or have committed fraud, you cannot GO TO JAIL for not paying your bills. Your life can be made miserable though by all of the Bill Collectors calling your house day and night.
The answers post by the user, for information only, BAnswer.com does not guarantee the right.
Other Questions and Answers: