“Dear Steve,
Had a gambling problem and ruined my financial situation. Filed for bankruptucy chapter 13 and half my paycheck goes to that through wage garnishmetn but I did not quit gambling. I then took out several online payday loans and kept gambling and then could not pay them. The bank closed my account for too many over drafts. The payday loan companies do not want to work with me on a reasonable amount for a monthly payment and require I pay through a checking account.
One company did come up with a payment I could afford so I set up the payment. They took out the first monthly payment and then Every payday they started taking out what ever amount they wanted even though it was suppose to be a set amount and monthly. so I closed the account. Also the loans have been sold or transferred to collection agencies and they have been adding fees on top of fees. For instance one payday loan was for $350 and now the collection agency says they want $1235.
Now this company and 3 others are leaving me calls that they are going to have me arrested and one even says they are going to have my Texas drivers license suspended. One lender even emails me and says he is a US federal attorney which I know he is not. Can they have me arrested? I never gave them a signed post dated check and everything was done through email.
Lola”
The Answer:
Dear Lola,
The key to resolving the financial problem is in overcoming the underlying gambling addiction.
No matter what resolution we struggle with the issue with the gambling will always be sitting by the side, ready to scupper out progress,
The first thing I’d do is talk to your bankruptcy attorney and let them know what is going on. They may evaluate your situation again to see if you qualify for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy or discharge the Chapter 13 and refile later to include the new debt.
But you must seek treatment for the gambling issue. If you don’t know where to turn, you can look for your local Gamblers Anonymous meeting, here.
Please post your responses and follow-up messages to me on this in the comments section below.
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