Default Judgments not appearing on credit reports

[kdrana]

Three default Judgments (credit card debt) are recorded in Brooklyn, NY civil court against me in 2003 and 2004 but now none of them are appears in my Credit reports. Do I still need to care about it?

Please advise, thanks in advance.

[jjgross]

If they're not there, I would keep an eye on my credit report and then go from there.

[Trish]

Are they legit judgments? Were you served properly?

[kdrana]

Yes, it’s legit and received papers in mail but I never signed, replied or appeared in court, now I went to court to get the copies of judgments and it’s still recorded and no action were taken.

[Trish]

Not sure about NY processing laws but you may want to check and see if they can serve you via US mail. In some states, they have to deliver them in person or leave them at your last known address. If you weren't served properly then you can file a motion to vacate judgment.

If US mail is allowed.......then you don't have to sign anything or appear. You just get a default judgment.

Now, if they haven't shown up on your CRs by now, they probably won't.......which is nice for you (and a bit lucky - in NY judgments can stay on your CRs for 20 years).
It's a little surprising that they haven't tried to collect on the judgment. Wage garnishment is allowed in NY (even though they can only garnish like 10%) so just be aware that somewhere down the road they may try to collect on these.

[kdrana]

I am approved for home mortgage because my credit reports are clean but afraid if those judgments will come back or they put lien on the house.

[Trish]

What do you mean come back?

Did you check the state laws to see if you were served properly?
It is possible that they could put a lien on your house or garnish your wages......but usually they have to send you paperwork.