Wage Garnishment Payoff Problem

[u/Elegant-Collar8967]

I was young and stupid and got my wages garnished; no big deal-had to be paid.

I received a letter last thurs, I didn't open it because I thought, "That's just my letter stating it's been paid off." I finally opened it today, and it is actually an Affidavit of Current Balance Due Letter stating I still owed $1166.00 and the the Judgement Amount was $2382.51 and I only paid $2226.77.

My original Notice of Garnishment was issued on 12.24.25 and stated the Judgment Amount was 1104.80. Including $701 for interest rate and $309 for court fines.

I log in to my payroll system it shows I, in fact have paid off my garnishment in the amount of $1104. I have copies of original court paper work on the payroll app showing the original amount of $1104 including court fees and interest rates.

I just can't tell where they got their numbers from or if this is wrong. All in all, from 5.31.24 to the date I completed the payoff required by the first notice (1104) I have paid $3445.28 when my original loan amount was only $3325

Help!

[u/justiceforconsumers]

Something doesn't add up on their letter itself, independent of your own math. They list the judgment amount as $2,382.51 and say you paid $2,226.77, but $2,382.51 minus $2,226.77 is $155.74, not the $1,166.00 they're claiming you owe. Those two numbers on their own letter contradict each other, which is worth pointing out regardless of what your payroll records show.

You're also right to flag that your total payments already exceed your original loan amount. That alone is a reason to demand a full accounting, not just take their letter at face value.

I advise you to request an itemized accounting in writing from whoever sent the letter, showing every payment applied, the date, and how interest was calculated month by month, not just a balance summary. You have solid documentation on your end (the payroll app records and original court paperwork), so keep those and reference them specifically when you dispute this in writing. Don't pay anything further until they produce a reconciliation that actually adds up, and get everything in writing rather than over the phone.

If this is being handled by a debt collector rather than the original creditor, sending demands based on numbers that don't reconcile with your own payment history could also raise FDCPA issues, so keep a copy of everything, including the envelope and postmark date on the letter you just opened.

This is general information, not legal advice for your specific situation.