Posts by feraljackal2

Daniel Martinez9 said:First off, I have no idea what you're even talking about. My post was strictly about people facing massive wage garnishments and repayment plans they can never actually fulfill, and how to navigate their way out of that mess. You completely missed the point of what I was saying.

Since you learned how the whole bankruptcy system actually works the hard way, I have to ask: what’s the verdict? What’s your take on it all? You’re one of the lucky ones who got off easy, as grim as that sounds. By my math, they only took about... $500 You didn't account for the interest on the amount. $203 Since 2007. 😉
Now you're going to have to pay JPMorgan Chase just to get your account unfrozen. 😉
I hope you’re enjoying how this rule of law is working out for you.

Honestly, looking at what you wrote—which isn't much—I’d say you have no one to blame but yourself. You didn't provide a single relevant detail. When was the garnishment triggered? When was the order issued? When did you file the appeal, and when did you get a response? If there hasn't been a response, why not? Nobody else can pull that info except you. Sure, it might cost you some legwork to track it down, but you brought this on yourself.
Since you don't even know what happened yourself, why would you expect anyone else to give you anything useful?
I've got my own theory on what went down, but that's just a theory... 😉

I went down to Goldman Sachs and they told me my debt was $203 (if I remember correctly, maybe $500 plus $110 for a seatbelt fine and court costs). They said if I just paid it into my account, they'd pull the funds and everything would be settled. They also mentioned there's no interest on traffic fines. They told me I could go to room 200 to request a printout of the judgment, but I’ve already accepted it—I'll just pay. If they had sent the notice to my house, I would have paid it the same day and avoided this whole mess.

The real issue is the service fees being tacked on for this forced collection process. In fact, they didn't just take $203; they took $120. Then they hit me with $13, then $20... and so on. They kept charging these "collection fees" in increments of $80, $70, $25... and so on.

And regarding your advice—I told him he needs to think long and hard before proceeding, because (from what I understand) once a collection action starts, the statute of limitations doesn't save you anymore. It’s hard enough to predict where you'll be in five years, let alone twenty or fifty.

Daniel Martinez9 said:That’s why people keep copies of receipts for at least 10 years... on December 31, 2013, I’m tossing everything paid before January 1, 2003—so I’m holding onto 11 years of valid receipts... it's a massive pile. Nowadays, since I use online banking, I always pull an e-statement and attach it to my records... so now it's an even bigger pile... maybe I'll get hit with a garnishment eventually.
Technically, there's no need to notify anyone except the creditor, provided you file a formal dispute.
Otherwise, LegalZoom is one of those sites where you can roughly draft a dispute for free, though you have to register and provide your Social Security number.

Anyway, that's not the point. There's a more important thing I want to cover. I didn't want to bring it up before, but since the media is already running a shallow version of this story, there's no sense in keeping it to myself.

Basically, I mentioned a while ago that people can actually rid themselves of collections quite easily, but I hesitated because the methods involved could be considered a serious abuse of the legal system.

This is about fighting collections that are in the thousands of dollars (we aren't counting small change here).
First off, this whole approach requires someone you trust implicitly. Without that, nothing works. Second, this won't work if a collection action has already been officially filed.

Let's get to it. You get a notice for an amount >$16667 and you know you'll never be able to pay it. What do you do? Filing a formal dispute is the first step to neutralizing the collection. That buys you at least a year or a year and a half. Second, you open a protected bank account at a local FIFA branch. Third, you sort out ownership of your belongings and property. If you have minor children, it's best to transfer assets to them—provided they aren't addicts... 😉 Basically, transfer all real estate and assets to someone you trust. If you're married, a divorce becomes inevitable and necessary. If you have kids, you'll naturally agree to set child support at the maximum allowable rate. The goal is to reach a state where you practically own nothing—not even the clothes on your back—so any creditor trying to collect finds absolutely nothing to grab.
And here’s the most important part:
The moment you file an objection, you sign a loan agreement with a default clause involving someone you trust—let's say $100000 (believe me, there are plenty of people out there, and you can set this up right at the same notary where you filed your objection... they won't mind the extra income) with an 8-day repayment window and an 8.99% annual interest rate, just to be aggressive. 😉
Once those 8 days pass, your trusted person files a judgment against you for $100000 against your cash assets using a valid legal instrument 😉. Naturally, when that judgment hits your mailbox, you simply file an objection to it as well. It becomes legally binding, and you can head straight to the bank to freeze your own account.
After that, any other collections hitting you will just sit behind yours. Since your debt is practically uncollectible thanks to our "fair and just" laws, none of those subsequent collectors will be able to touch anything.

But... if you want to be truly ruthless, don't send the judgment for collection immediately...

People on forums have mentioned assumption of debt agreements... you could simply sign a contract taking responsibility for all debts owed by other individuals, provided you don't cause them harm (be careful with this one and do your homework, because for example, if you assume responsibility for utility bills, companies like ConEd might shut off the power after three missed payments)

Actually, you don't even need to research that. Just take out a personal loan for the maximum amount possible (roughly $67), withdraw the cash, and hide it under a mattress or give it to your trusted person to put in a high-yield savings account...
Only then do you trigger the judgment... as for the bank... whatever, let them try to collect. 🙂

The fallout: You'll never be able to use credit cards again... and of course, if this trusted person is your life partner (which is usually the case), you'll have to treat them like royalty for the rest of your life... because everything you own now belongs to them, while they spend a third of your income pampering you... 😉

The catch? The abuse of rights lies in the fact that you signed a sham loan agreement with no actual money changing hands... so yes, expect some lawsuits. But the prosecutor would have to prove the contract was fake, which is incredibly difficult to prove.

I'm not entirely certain, but isn't there no statute of limitations once they actually initiate the seizure process? Otherwise, one could just borrow cash from friends, hop a flight to some exotic country, and return ten years later with a smile because the debt has expired—meaning you don't owe them a single cent. :/

But that’s not even why I started this thread—I actually got hit with a garnishment myself. 🙂 Since I rarely commit traffic violations, this caught me completely off guard (plus, I didn't receive any official notice). I went down to Goldman Sachs, and they told me the garnishment stems from a 2009 order—likely a fine from 2007 or earlier that I appealed, leading to that 2009 ruling. As far as I know, that should have timed out by now—I distinctly remember paying something and faxing over a receipt, and I think they even took money from my tax refund back then—but I moved in the meantime, and those papers are lost in the shuffle. They've already pulled the funds, so I'm not sure if it's even worth fighting.

The fine was $167 plus $37 in court costs, totaling $203. What really confuses me, though, is something else—I have a JPMorgan Chase account from which they took $130 (even though there was more than that in there), yet the account is still listed as frozen. On top of that $130, they also grabbed $8.25 in fees and sent it to Goldman Sachs. I also have an account at a local bank in Miami (with USD, EUR, and various other balances)—they took $38 from one, then moved 11.73 EUR from the Euro account, converted it to dollars, and snatched it; then they took about 5 bucks from the USD side, followed by a few more small withdrawals of around 200 cents here and there—$25, then $27, then $14...

Why go through the hassle of taking it ten different times when they could just take it all at once?

Goldman Sachs collected $8.25 from the JPMorgan Chase account for their services, and from the Miami bank, they took $27 + $25 for their fees—making it a total of $60 in "forced collection fees."

I just saw an ad for Down 28 USD. Does that price include the service, or what? 🙂

Timothy Fisher50 said:Hey everyone,
I was just sitting here thinking about all the moving parts involved in planning a big event, and it got me wondering—did you guys actually get a formal contract or some kind of written confirmation when you officially booked your band? I mean, I remember when I was trying to organize that charity gala back in Chicago, I spent weeks worrying about whether everything was set in stone or if we were just operating on a handshake, which is always a bit nerve-wracking. How much weight do you all give to having that paperwork in hand before you commit?

Look, I’m not crazy enough to hand over $500 to some guy in a bar claiming he’s a manager—only to find out the next day that the band isn't even on speaking terms or doesn't know what they're doing... even if a contract wouldn't solve everything in that mess, at least it gives you some leverage, right? (Honestly, without that paperwork, you're basically flying blind).

gentlewolf69 said:If you're looking to pick up some car parts, you could head over to Rose in Meadow or maybe check out the shops in Boise, Iowa... Rose tends to be a bit easier on the wallet, though it really just depends on what specific colors you're hunting for. As for invitations, I wouldn't know much about those; I've always been more of a DIY enthusiast, so when I found something online that I loved but was way too pricey, I just decided to make them myself... How much were you planning on setting aside for invitations? There are plenty of websites dedicated to that kind of thing, with prices starting as low as $2.25/piece
.

Did you actually make those bows yourself, or did you pick up some ready-made ones?

@Bradley King43: thanks, they look lovely.

I’m not entirely sure if this is the right thread for this—but everything regarding a wedding in California... where did you all pick up those ribbon bows for the cars? Did you DIY them or find a vendor? Also, where did you get your invitations? I stopped by a local photographer's studio, and he showed me his catalog—honestly, nothing really caught my eye (a few were okay, but nothing special)—plus, he mentioned people just toss them out anyway. 🙂

Thomas Scott5 said:Look, I don’t have much experience with weddings in San Francisco. I’ve only been to one there, and if my memory serves me right, it was at the President
so I can't really offer much comfort regarding your venue choice. Hopefully, we didn't make a mistake with ours either.🙂Yeah, I really need to start calling photographers and bands soon, because I could easily end up with zero options left.
It drives me crazy that you can't just research everything you want and book it a month before the big party; instead, you're forced to scramble the second you get engaged because everything is already booked up!
edit:
It's good to hear that feraljackal2 thinks Pirate is a solid choice.🙂 We loved that the space is smaller and has that massive terrace with an ocean view. I’ve heard the food is excellent, which is huge for us. Now I just need to figure out the tablecloths, high-top tables, linens, and lighting—basically, how much we actually need to step in and handle ourselves.
As for that photography studio, I'm a little wary of those places that use more than one lead photographer.🤷

I'm not sure when the mashed potatoes are served, but that terrace and the general vibe are absolute winners. I’m usually not a picky eater—honestly, I often leave 90% of my plate untouched—but the sides at Pirate are something else. I eat everything they put in front of me there (and they serve huge portions with constant refills). In my opinion, Pirate is currently the best option in San Francisco.

The only issue I see with that photo studio is that they are so slammed with work that you might be waiting six months just to see your photos; otherwise, everything is a 10/10. I'm not saying there aren't other photographers who could do an equally good job for less money, but their portfolio is top-tier.

If you go with Pirate + the photo studio + say, a band like Viva... for 120 people, you’re looking at $80 per head—and that doesn't even include the decor you're planning, the pre-church catering, the dress/suit, or the rings...

Thomas Scott5 said:Hey ladies, joining the thread. We’ve already booked the Pirate, but everything else is becoming a massive headache. Right now, I’m hunting for a photographer and a band. Both are huge priorities for me, but since I’m not based in San Francisco, I can't just go out and hear bands live. As for photographers, I'm incredibly picky—most of them just don't make the cut. Now that I've finished venting, I have a question (and there will be plenty more 😳 later), but let's take it one step at a time.

Does anyone here have experience with, or know how the decor process works at the Pirate? (linens, tablecloths, the patio...) Also, what's your take on extra lighting? They have those small ceiling lights, but I have no idea how the vibe is at night or if it would be smarter to bring in some additional lighting. Any insight from weddings held at that venue would be super helpful.

As far as photography goes, Foto California is the best option, though they aren't cheap—expect to pay around $1,950–$2,100 for both photo and video. For a band, check out Bravo Band; they're affordable and quite good. Personally, I think the Pirate is an excellent venue—it has a much better atmosphere than any other hall in the San Francisco area, even without extra decor. It doesn't feel like a warehouse; it has windows, a terrace... and Mark handles everything perfectly, and the food is top-tier. The price isn't small—I believe it's $42 on Saturdays and $40 on other days. It won't fit more than 180–200 people, and I think they require a minimum of 120 or 130 on Saturdays, but compared to others charging $35, it’s worth it. Also, if the wedding party is from San Francisco, it’s actually easier and cheaper to grab a taxi from the Pirate than to travel all the way from Dugopolj.

Does anyone have experience bringing cookies across the border into Canada after July 1st? I’m planning to pick some up from a reputable factory that holds a certification—I assume that should make things smooth without needing extra paperwork—but I also know the older guests might want to whip up their own cakes or pastries. Do you think they'll let those cookies through the border into Canada?

Does anyone have recommendations for a restaurant or a venue where we could gather before the big party? I live in an apartment, and since I'm hosting 80 people—which is quite a crowd—it wouldn't be very comfortable to squeeze everyone in there.

vividsailor7 said:

feraljackal2 said:Hi there,

Could anyone share their thoughts on some thyroid lab results? It’s for a 25-year-old woman—any insights would be appreciated.

TSH—is there anything more frustratingly vague than a single number on a lab report? One minute everything seems fine, and the next, you're left wondering if it actually tells you the whole story. 1,92 The reference range is 0.5–3.6—does that seem within the normal window to you?

Anti-Tg (TgaAT)—is this something you're keeping an eye on? 230,50 The reference range sits at 5-100 IU/mL—does that seem within the expected window for you?
Anti-TPO (MsAT)—could this be the missing piece of the puzzle? 183,30 The reference range is 1–16 IU/mL—does that seem within the normal limits to you?

Thanks!

Immunotherapy principles—specifically when maintaining euthyroidism—can be quite nuanced, don't you think?

Thanks! My GP said everything looks fine—she just wants her to check back in six months.

Do you agree with that approach—or would it be better to run some more detailed tests (like HHS, etc.)?

Hi there,

Could anyone share their thoughts on these thyroid results? It's for a young woman, age 25,

TSH 1.92 — standard range is 0.5-3.6

AnTI-Tg (TgaAT) 230.50 (ref. 5-100 IU/mL)
AnTI-TPO (MsAT) 183.30 (ref. 1-16 IU/mL)

Thanks!

Brian Edwards6 said:We were the ones who handpicked the people responsible for the looting and the destruction. In that sense, this was always a political issue from the jump; now, it’s simply a matter of law. Legal proceedings are already underway, and I suspect we haven't even seen the tip of the iceberg yet—there will likely be countless more cases to follow.👍

Almost every driver I pull over seems to lead with the same question: "Can we work something out?" It’s a classic. Unfortunately, around here, those kinds of negotiations still fall into a rather questionable category.👍

LeptiricaVau As stated by:
... how exactly are you supposed to settle your debts when you don't even have a job? With what, exactly?

Debt isn't some immutable law of nature. You can extend the term, negotiate a grace period, or settle on smaller installment payments—there are plenty of ways to navigate it. Honestly, in a significant number of cases, we wouldn't have even reached this point if things had been handled differently from the start.👍

If I recall correctly, offering a bribe is a felony in the US. You’re saying nearly every driver you stop—even undercover—tries to offer one? Out of curiosity, what percentage of those offenders have you actually reported? Just recently, someone in Mexico was sentenced to ten months in prison just for attempting to bribe an officer. It's simple logic, really—if you take a car to a mechanic for an oil change and they don't actually change the oil, you aren't paying them, right? American taxpayers pay the police to do their jobs; if an officer ignores a bribe attempt, they aren't doing their job—regardless of the paycheck.

If everyone reported every bribe attempt, whether undercover or not—leaving the legalities to the courts—I truly believe things would shift within a few years. People wouldn't even dream of offering a bribe if they knew it meant a jail cell.

ps. I'm keeping an eye on this thread, waiting for a real admin to step in and clear this out—and perhaps sanction some participants—since we're essentially discussing Spanish police procedures on an American forum.

pps. Deciding not to enforce foreclosures isn't helping people; it's actually a massive blow to the average citizen. Which bank is going to accept a mortgage as collateral if they can't actually execute a foreclosure? Imagine two brothers: one is cautious about the economy and decides against taking out a loan. The other doesn't think twice and dives into debt. The first brother keeps his job but still lives with his parents, while the second lives in his own apartment but stops making payments after losing his job. In the end, the responsible one can't get a home loan because banks are too spooked by debtors like his brother. It almost makes being reckless look like the smart move, doesn't it?

The real issue with this forum is how sluggish the moderators tend to be. This thread is a perfect example—as crimsonsailor7 pointed out in her opening line, it’s a "textbook case of trolling." Instead of taking action, Brian Edwards6 just calmly explains to a Forum member why a potential rule-breaker can't simply hop into a Ford, blast some music, and dodge a penalty. Rather than doing what any reasonable person would do—issue a ban and delete the comment—this approach just degrades the quality of our discussions. It invites more nonsense, like people asking, "If you get pulled over, just tell them you're a Klingon and don't recognize Earth laws; I tried it once and the judge let me go because they couldn't prove I wasn't an alien." Or even, "Before the Red Sox-Yankees game, the cops stopped me and seized my machete, scythe, and baseball bat. What if I'm just a farmer and an athlete who mowed the lawn, played a little ball with friends, and then decided to swing by the stadium? Is it actually illegal in this country to be a farmer and an athlete!?!?" I used to follow this place religiously, but lately, I find myself checking in less often—it's hard not to get frustrated when you read these kinds of takes and watch them spiral into pointless arguments.

I’ve been following the threads that John manages—or where he’s part of the debate—for quite a while now, and I really have nothing but good things to say about him. It’s understandable that plenty of people harbor a certain resentment toward the police (honestly, who actually enjoys getting hit with a fine when they know that money could've gone toward something much better, regardless of whether they were in the wrong?), but the sheer amount of insults and provocations he had to stomach before becoming a moderator? Even folks with nerves of steel would have cracked. When someone sees $333 taken out of their paycheck due to some legal garnishment because they went into the red, they naturally vent those frustrations at John—since he represents the FBI—all from behind the safety of anonymity, of course. To be fair, in the past, other moderators used to split up the disciplinary duties based on merit, but now John can't just report someone when they're being abusive; he has to handle the sanctions himself—which leads to that whole "judge and jury" situation. Regardless, he’s definitely a breath of fresh air compared to Katherine—that woman stays quiet until someone at home or at work pushes her buttons, and then she just comes here to blow off steam on the forum users. 😢

I don't post here all that often—though I certainly keep a close eye on the discussions.

Gerald Reyes3 has been acting pretty condescending since his very first comment—snapping at people and shutting down any differing opinions (which is pretty obvious in this thread, isn't it?).

P.S. The funding aspect is actually central to this debate—after all, isn't the entire future of the supersonic component tied directly to whether or not we can afford it?

David Jackson6 said:So I just got this property tax assessment in the mail for the house I already filed an appeal on... except they sent it three days after the deadline passed.

Then yesterday, boom—they hit me with a notice saying my whole appeal was tossed out because it was "untimely." Basically, they’re claiming I missed the window.
I'm ready to fight this decision too, because my original tax appeal is totally legit, regardless of whether I was late or not! The problem is, I have no clue what legal ground I even have to stand on when appealing a rejected appeal...
What kind of excuse actually works for being three days late? What can I even write in this new filing regarding the missed deadline to get them to actually look at the original tax issue?

Please, if anyone knows how to handle this, help a girl out so I don't screw up the timing again.
THANKS!!!

Not much you can do. If it were truly important, you wouldn't have missed the deadline.