What's the worst that can happen to me for having credit card debt & can't pay it?

I'm on disability & can't find a job. I've been job hunting hard & I have no success. Also, I financed this Laptop from Dell, & it's not paid off yet. Would they take the computer back or would I just still owe money? This is a GREAT computer, & I can't afford to lose it. My rent is $335/month, while my monthly income is $657/month. I probably wouldn't be drowning in debt if I wouldn't have had to replace my valuables because of Hurricane Katrina. People tell me not to dwell on Katrina, but how can I forget about it if I'm still suffering because of it? I had to replace 93% of my valuables & my OWN brothers looted into my apartment & stole! I REALLY want to pay my debt, & I'm sad that I can't. I'm afraid to respond to the debt collectors' phone calls because they harrass & threaten me all day. & if they take my money, & won't have a roof over my head. I REALLY want to get 2 jobs or bust my butt to pay off the credit card AND student loan debt. I feel stuck. Do you have any advice?

I'm trying to work my way to self-sufficiency. There are work incentives for Ticket to Work for Social Security to help us get to work. I have a mental disability.

You are not very specific about your debts, aside from the Dell financing. But the bottom line is that for secured debt (like a mortgage, car loan, or possibly your computer loan, depending on the terms of the Dell financing) the collateral can be repossessed. For an unsecured loan (ie, credit card), the lender has little recourse except to pester you with collections calls, or to sue you -- which they probably won't in any case.

Moreover in your situation there appears to be nothing to win in a lawsuit, not enough wages to garnish, so you are probably "judgment-proof". Don't fear the collectors. Do some Googling about the fair debt collection practices act (FDCPA) and how to respond to collection agencies. You can tell them not to call you anymore and they have to abide by that demand.

In Texas I believe that the absolute worst thing that they can do is sue you. Exactly how much debt are you in and who do you owe it to? Providian is one credit card company to look out for because if you don't pay them, they will sue you. They sued my grandmother. Here is a couple of options that you can do:

Consumer Credit Counseling (they have plenty of ads for this on TV)

Getting other credit cards with lower interest rates and transferring the balances from the higher rate credit cards to the lower rate credit cards.

Bankruptcy, this should only be considered if you are in big time debt. If you do decide to file for bankruptcy, it cost about $1,500 for attorneys fees and court fees.

Don't listen to the first 2 answers they are just ridiculous!!

Anyway, I am right there with you drowning in credit card debt. I would recommend calling Consumer Credit Counseling to find the best option for you. It really depends on how much you owe as to what your best option will be. Just remember you can't go to jail for credit card debt. The US does NOT have debtors' prisons! Its a civil matter, NOT a criminal one.

Judy's cooch is out of her mind crazy!!!! There is no state in the union that throws people in jail becasue of credit card debt. I live in Michigan you nut job. Bottom line, answer the phone with the collection agencies, work out a payment program with them, ignoring the situation will only make it worse, and it won't go away without being addressed.

why dont you take long walks and collect bottles and cans...

...this way you can supplement your income and get a work out...

you will be surprised at how much aluminum cans go for these days...