How easy is it for creditors to get your NEW bank account info

[frmrdwn]

By now, we are conviced that opening a new checking account are the way to go in terms of protecting yourself from aggressive collectors. I still wonder though. If direct deposits must go into this newly opened account, how easy is it for creditors to find it? Are new accounts easily tracked?

Another can of worms is the car insurance that must automatically debited. Yes, I know prepaid visa cards are one answer, but not necessarily practical in my circumstances.

[HHM]

It depends on the state. New York has a weird system where collectors can tap a central database to find bank accounts. Most states are not set up that way. Thus, it is actually fairely difficult for a creditor to identify a "new" bank account.

[Nicollette]

That question has always crossed my mind. I've heard of situations where a person has closed one bank account, and opened a new account at the same bank. Somehow, creditors found their new account. I don't know if its for the fact that since it was at the same bank, they were able to find it through the ss#, or what?

[HHM]

Creditors levy banks through SSN, it would be fairly stupid to open a new account at the same bank. But tracking a new bank, with a new account, that is harder than most people think.

Now, if you are in a small town with limited banks, it could be a problem. If your town only has 4 or 5 banks, it is not that hard to send a levy to every bank in town in hopes for a hit.