Robert
Irvine,#2Consumer Comment
Tue, December 20, 2011
You are correct PA does not allow Wage Garnishment for Consumer Debts. If the debt was obtained while you were in PA, you live in PA and you work in PA then the PA laws would apply. But if that was the case the courts should not have issued a garnishment order, and would be a pretty easy situation to not only have the garnishment rescinded but the money they did take returned. If the collection agency sent "fake" garnishment orders that is an entirely different situation.
So I have a feeling that the "devil is in the details" on this. You may work in PA but if you live in another state they may be using the laws of your state of residence, in which case regardless of what state you work in it may(notice I said MAY) be legal. If the debt was acquired in another state there are cases where they can use those laws as well.
Now you don't seem to be disputing the judgment, just the garnishment. So keep this in mind that while PA does not allow wage garnishment there is NO law that says they can't attach your bank account and deduct the entire $698 in one "hit". Just something to think about if this is a valid judgment. If it isn't a valid judgment then you need to take steps to handle that.