Can overtime pay be garnished by a debt collector?

A garnishment order can have a big impact on your paycheck, but can it eat into your overtime earnings, too? Mohd Azrin/Getty Images In today's economic landscape, overtime has become an important financial tool for millions of Americans. After all, inflation isn't just high; it's rising rapidly , meaning that the cost of everything from groceries to gas and housing is climbing rapidly right now, stretching budgets thin. Other economic hurdles are looming, too, like a tough job market and high borrowing rates. So, whether it's used to cover higher living costs, pay down credit card balances or rebuild savings after an unexpected expense, those extra hours are providing people with a much-needed boost to their household budgets. At the same time, many borrowers are carrying significant debt , even as compound interest racks up quickly at today's high average rates. While many borrowers can still keep up with the minimum payments, some have fallen far enough behind on their debt that they're no longer just dealing with phone calls and letters about their unpaid obligations. They're facing more serious collection actions, like bank levies and wage garnishment instead. And, when wage garnishment enters the picture, money can be taken directly from a paycheck to recoup what's owed, which can cause major financial issues for borrowers. …