Credit Card Debt in USA, Can you get arrested at the border? (citizen, money)

[2bpurrfect]

Originally Posted by tigrs99

Bad debt stays on credit report only for 7 yrs collection accts for 5 yrs
immigration has nothing to do with your credit history byt it will tough to get a good job in the US with bad credit

it does depend on the state, last I checked, in Oregon no one can file a valid collection suit in court after 6 years. but it will stay on your credit report for 7. debtors can get things taken off their credit report if it violates the laws on credit reporting. plenty of collections agencies violate,and you can get something like 1000 bucks a shot when you catch them doing stuff illegally.
but it's true, unless you were prosecuted by a government official for fraud, (arrest warrant issued etc) regarding your debt- then your credit worthiness has nothing to do with immigration or entering the country. But that doesn't usually happen with people who merely default on their loans, credit cards, etc started in good faith, after they are no longer able to pay them. Maybe they do prosecute people in Canada, because the British used to put people into debtors prison . One of the things we Americans did away with some time around the American Revolution.
btw, I really get tired of people remarking about the thread being old. SO? if it is relevant and someone found it on a subject search, then maybe they have something of value to say. go for it. threads that can help others are needed, so don't stifle it.

[faeryedark]

Originally Posted by PacificFlights

The answer is it might stop entry. Part of the requirment to enter the US is that you will not become a burden to the US governement or citizens. having a past debt that was not paid isn;t good. having moved to another country after racking up the debt looks like you fled to avoid paying it and left the us company holding the bag. If the debt was reported and that info was picked up by immigrations, you can be refused entry to the US and sent back. I dont think you will be arrested because its a civil matter (unless some criminal charges against you were filed about it) but it goes to your character which could be used to deny entry.

*snort* shame we don't apply that to our neighbors to the south who cross the border illegally. Oh, wait, they don't bother with doing things the right way.
this guy at least is not sneaking in.
O.P. maybe you should contact you creditors, find out which ones aren't written off, and try to arrange a payment plan, even just small payments before you come.
Make sure you have all your ducks in a row, and all your paperwork.
i'm assuming if you want to come back, you'll have a job or some income before you do

[munna21977]

how about paying the credit card debt back???? call the card company, fix up a repayment plan with fixed monthly instalments. if u borrow somebody's money for your use, u have a moral responsibility to pay it back.

[STT Resident]

Originally Posted by munna21977

how about paying the credit card debt back???? call the card company, fix up a repayment plan with fixed monthly instalments. if u borrow somebody's money for your use, u have a moral responsibility to pay it back.

The original question was asked and answered over a year and four pages ago. No. There's a business forum covering all manner of financial issues where the moral and practical issues concerning credit card debt can be discussed so is it really necessary to keep adding to this thread? Feel free to jump all over me for daring to speak up. I've had too much coffee this morning.

[dragonborn]

Originally Posted by munna21977

how about paying the credit card debt back???? call the card company, fix up a repayment plan with fixed monthly instalments. if u borrow somebody's money for your use, u have a moral responsibility to pay it back.

If "morals" were applied to all walks of life and not just some poor sod with a bit of credit card debt, maybe this country wouldn't be in such a mess? Corporations do not give a damn about morals.

[Threestep]

Originally Posted by tigrs99

Bad debt stays on credit report only for 7 yrs collection accts for 5 yrs
immigration has nothing to do with your credit history byt it will tough to get a good job in the US with bad credit

LOL - that is one of the most persistent rumors. It takes very little effort to keep it alive or dig it back up.

[Threestep]

Originally Posted by securityczar

Actually Threestep. I think in this case you misspoke. Credit has no bearing on legal status or visas. Criminal history does and it is required for you to go to court for a debt for you to be convicted. Even then unpaid debt does not negatively impact your chances of getting a visa.

Getting a job.... Maybe. Depending on the position and the requirements for the job. However, when companies and everyone else do a credit search. That bad debt will fall off after 7 years. Unless you have debt collectors refreshing your debt without having spoken to you.

Typically when it is turned over these guys will harrass you your family anyone that may know you to collect on the debt. As long as you have not had any contact in 7 years there should not be any new marks on your credit. However, some of these collectors will refresh for every phone call they make and letter they send. However, that is not a big deal. You can dispute anything on your credit record. Additionally, any agency found to be intentionally reporting nonfactual bad debt can be taken to court.

By the way for most people there are only a few people that get to Judge them. I am pretty sure you are not on anyones list. May want to keep your judgement to yourself. Additionally if you are going to state something as an authority I would suggest stating fact and not your jaded opinion.

If I had to guess you work for a collection agency.

Can you please point out to me where I mentioned immigration? Thank you.

[STT Resident]

Originally Posted by Threestep

Can you please point out to me where I mentioned immigration? Thank you.

All right, good. Now the culprit who managed to get this thread way off topic and into the realm of credit card debt totally unrelated to immigration has been unmasked.

Threestep, you are hereby sentenced to 30 lashes. Hopefully since the original question was answered on Page 1, this thread will now lie low and not take up any more unrelated cyberspace units.

[JHonest]

Hi All,
I used to be a student in the USA and then worked in USA for sometime. Had american CC debit. Move d to Canada and become Canadian citizen. I wrkd very hard in canada, McDodanld, telemark, etc. Honestly continue to pay american CC debts. Till 2010 when we went broke. jobs hr cut and no over time. My creditors kept calling me form USA. I didn't reply. I believe one obtained court jud on me in the USA. I managed to keep good credit score in Canada all this time. Then suddendly I have started receiving calls from a Canadian collection agency who claim they have access to cr report, utility companies and provinsial property ownership records(how can it be legally possible). I am not american so how will they validate who I me. Pl Help. I am very scared.

[STT Resident]

Originally Posted by JHonest

Hi All,
I used to be a student in the USA and then worked in USA for sometime. Had american CC debit. Move d to Canada and become Canadian citizen. I wrkd very hard in canada, McDodanld, telemark, etc. Honestly continue to pay american CC debts. Till 2010 when we went broke. jobs hr cut and no over time. My creditors kept calling me form USA. I didn't reply. I believe one obtained court jud on me in the USA. I managed to keep good credit score in Canada all this time. Then suddendly I have started receiving calls from a Canadian collection agency who claim they have access to cr report, utility companies and provinsial property ownership records(how can it be legally possible). I am not american so how will they validate who I me. Pl Help. I am very scared.

This isn't an immigration question. Maybe you could find a niche for it in the financial forum or even address it on the Canada forum. It's more than likely the US collection agency sold the debt to a Canadian collection company. Common practice. Good luck.