Debt Collectors can be intimidating and may use questionable tactics that are designed to scare people into making a payment, even if you cannot afford to make one. Actual garnishment actions are not that common and you will have advance warning. Creditors must first file a lawsuit, get a judgment, and then get court authorization for a garnishment. You cannot just have your pay check, or any portion of it, taken without court approval, and you must receive notification and proper documents from the court first. Worst case scenario, you may need to negotiate a settlement that is higher than you would have liked, or commit to a payment plan in order to avoid a garnishment.