Start with your bank's records and the court documents they received
When money disappears from your checking account without your permission, your bank has a legal record of who took it. Call your bank's customer service line and ask to speak with someone in the disputes or fraud department. Tell them you want to know about a garnishment on your account — they will pull the transaction and show you the court case number, the creditor's name, and the date the order arrived.
Your bank received a document called a writ of garnishment or levy before they froze or took the money. Ask the bank to send you a copy of that document. It will have the creditor's name, their attorney's name (if they have one), the court that issued the order, and the case number. This is your starting point for everything else.
If the bank cannot find the document or says it was destroyed, ask them for the date the money left your account and the exact amount. Write this down. You will need it to search court records.
Key Takeaways
- Your bank has a copy of the garnishment order and can tell you the creditor's name, the court case number, and the date the order was received.
- The writ of garnishment document itself lists the creditor, their attorney, and the court that issued the order — ask your bank to send you a copy.
- If your bank cannot locate the document, you can search your county or state court's online records using the approximate date and amount.
- Once you have the case number, you can contact the creditor or their attorney to learn what debt they claim you owe and what your options are.
- Some garnishments are issued in error or without proper notice — the court documents will show whether you were served and whether you had a chance to object.
Search your county court records online
Most county courts now have searchable databases where you can look up cases by your name. Go to your county clerk's website and look for a link to "case search," "public records," or "docket search." Enter your name and the approximate year the garnishment happened. The results will show you all cases filed against you in that county.
Once you find the case, you can usually view the documents for free online or request them from the clerk's office. Look for the document titled "Writ of Garnishment," "Notice of Levy," or "Judgment." This document will name the creditor and often their attorney. It will also show the amount claimed and the date the court issued the order.
If your county does not have online records, call the clerk's office directly. Give them your name and the approximate date of the garnishment. They can tell you whether a case exists and mail you copies of the documents for a small fee, usually between $5 and $25.
Check your state's court system website
Some states maintain a statewide database that covers all courts in the state. This is faster than searching county by county. Go to your state's judicial branch website and look for "case search" or "public records." The search process is similar: enter your name and search for cases against you.
State-level searches are especially useful if you are not sure which county the case was filed in. A creditor can sue you in the county where you live, where you signed a contract, or sometimes where they are located. If you have moved, the case might be in a county you no longer live in.
Contact the creditor or their attorney directly
Once you have the creditor's name and attorney's name from the court documents, you can call them to ask questions about the debt and the garnishment. The attorney's phone number and address should be on the writ itself.
When you call, be prepared to give your name and the case number. Ask them to confirm the amount of the debt, what it is for (credit card, medical bill, personal loan, etc.), and whether the debt is still being collected. Ask whether they will agree to a payment plan or settlement instead of continuing the garnishment.
Do not admit to owing the debt or make any promises to pay. straightforward gather information. If the creditor or attorney is aggressive or makes threats, you can end the call. You have the right to speak with an attorney before negotiating.
Look for a judgment in your credit report
A garnishment usually means a creditor won a lawsuit against you and got a judgment. That judgment should appear on your credit report. Pull your credit report from all three bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — at annualcreditreport.com, which is the official free site run by the Federal Trade Commission.
Search the report for "judgment" or the creditor's name. The judgment entry will show the date it was filed, the amount, and sometimes the court. This gives you another way to confirm who sued you and when. If a judgment appears on your report but you have no record of being sued, that is a sign the creditor may not have served you properly — something you can challenge in court.
Verify you were actually served with notice
A garnishment is only legal if you were properly notified of the lawsuit before the judgment was entered. Look at the court documents and find the section that shows how you were served. It should say whether you were served in person, by mail, or by another method allowed in your state.
If the documents show you were served but you genuinely never received notice, or if there is no proof of service in the file, you may have grounds to challenge the garnishment. This requires filing a motion in the court that issued the judgment, usually within a specific time window (often 30 days, but this varies by state).
If you believe the garnishment was issued without proper notice, contact a local legal aid office or a consumer law attorney. Many offer free or low-cost consultations. You can find legal aid in your area through the Legal Services Corporation website.
Report the garnishment if it appears to be fraudulent
In rare cases, a garnishment is issued in someone else's name or as part of a scam. If you have confirmed with your bank and the court that the garnishment is not legitimate, report it when ready.
File a complaint with your state's Attorney General office and the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Contact your bank's fraud department and ask them to reverse the transaction if possible. If an identity thief opened accounts in your name, you will also need to file an identity theft report with the FTC and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a bank have to tell me who garnished my account?
Your bank should be able to tell you the creditor's name and provide a copy of the garnishment order within one to three business days. If they delay beyond that, ask to speak with a supervisor. The information is in their system and should be retrievable quickly.
Can a garnishment happen without a court order?
No. A private creditor cannot garnish your account without a judgment from a court. However, the IRS, state tax agencies, and student loan servicers can garnish without a court order under federal law. If you believe a garnishment came from one of these sources, contact them directly to confirm and learn about your options.
What if the creditor's name on the garnishment is a company I do not recognize?
Debt collection companies and law firms often buy old debts and sue in their own name. The company suing you may not be the original creditor. Ask the attorney or collection company for a copy of the original contract or account statement showing the debt. They are required to provide this if you request it in writing.
Can I stop a garnishment once it has started?
Yes, but the method depends on the reason for the garnishment. If you dispute the debt, you can file a motion to vacate the judgment. If you want to negotiate, you can contact the creditor about a settlement or payment plan. If the garnishment is causing you financial hardship, some courts allow you to request a hearing to reduce the amount taken. An attorney can help you understand which option applies to your situation.
Do I need a lawyer to find out who garnished my account?
No. Your bank and the court records are public information you can access yourself. However, if you want to challenge the garnishment or negotiate with the creditor, an attorney can be helpful. Many legal aid offices offer free consultations to people with low incomes.