A collector cannot garnish your wages if?

It varies by state and even locality, but a collector cannot garnish your wages directly. A government agency can garnish, or if a collector sues, the court may garnish. Don't let them threaten you with garnishment if they are a private company! Even if you have plenty of money and don't pay them, there is not much they can do except continue to ask for the money and sue; but they won't sue if it is a small amount like less than $5000.