Pennsylvania = Freedom! for Credit Card Defaulters

Pssst. Do you owe a lot on your credit cards? Sorry. Do you live in Pennsylvania? Great! Because according to this story: Pennsylvania is among the safest states to fall behind on credit card bills.

The story points out that Pennsylvania — along with both Carolinas and Texas — bars collection agencies from garnishing wages of credit card defaulters.

(The story is also pro-consumer. I especially enjoyed this bit of characterization: “Elsewhere, collection agencies may seek a court order requesting that your employer siphon off 25 percent of your disposable income, after deductions for taxes and Social Security. That is, after your employer has siphoned off any alimony, family support, criminal restitution or student loans on which you’re also delinquent.” All this siphoning — like money is being stolen from the consumer or something. Heaven forbid someone pay her child support on a timely basis.)

Also, for anyone in the collection industry who isn’t sure what a debt collector is allowed to do, this article’s got you covered with a handy list titled “Debt collectors may.” So, you know, take some time to peruse that.