Can I go to jail if I have 3 maxed out credit cards and never pay them off?

[Anonymous]

[IAteTwoFullHams]

Not under most circumstances, unless so mething about your behavior crosses into fraud.

It does mean you'll probably never be able to own a home or a new or leased vehicle.

But tons of people get through life with maxed out cards, living in apartments and driving used beaters.

[Wade12345]

It depends on the jurisdiction and how much legal action the lender is willing to take over whatever you owe.

I have a card maxed out and owe about $3500 on. The bank gave it over to collection agency, but I never pay collection agencies. I'll pay the bank back directly when I can. I've only made on payment in the past year though, so apparently, they're not in a hurry to get their money back, since they've taken no further legal action.

[AmandaYVR]

Nah. But creditors are after you and they will hire an agency to go after the money, and you may eventually get your wages garnished. Ruining your credit has pretty big consequences, like being able to get housing, decent jobs, etc.

[Middleman]

How much is your debt? It sounds like you're in need of help.

I'd advise you to watch this for tips:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/0p6vXthlIPwhttps://www.youtube.com/embed/Q5jlY8_WmEE

[Drumlin2001]

I'm no lawyer, and I think in most cases it would be a civil matter, so would wreck you credit but not be criminal. However, I suppose if they could build a case that you got the cards on false pretenses and never intended on repaying, there maybe a fraud case there, which would be criminal.

[Mangospacho]

You can get a judgment against you or a wage garnishment where you are forced to pay a certain amount. It’ll impact your credit to the point where you can’t borrow money for a few years. It’s unlikely you’d see jail time because you can’t pay back debt while you’re locked up working for prison industries. The debt collector wants you to make money, not spend 20 years in jail waiting for their money.

[Slingblade1126]

No, you can't but if you get an order to appear before court and defy it, the judge, under very unusual circumstances, can issue a bench warrant. Failure to pay credit cards is a civil matter, not criminal.

[Slingblade1126]

Although states can differ.

[DCooper]

Can you? Yeah. But you're gonna need to get caught doing something a lot worse than not paying credit card bills.

[exitseven]

If that was the case they would have to build more jails. People cannot pay off their credit cards if they are behind bars.

[Sixgunsound]

Depending on the laws in your area. In the US, you absolutely can.

[Guy13]

Not likely if in your name.

[Sarahplus2]

No you can't not even if you avoid the. Creditors.

[KatherineJ]

No, but you could wind up in court.

[maximumpower]

No.
Your credit is hosed, tho.

[Waldoe]

yes... Fraud is a crime...

[In_Trance]

I guess you're going to find out

[jimmy2]

You go to jail no one will hire you

[Avicenna]

Of course not.