Massachusetts attorney general: CARES Act payments are exempt from seizure

State Issues Covid-19 Massachusetts State Attorney General Debt Collection Consumer Finance

On April 13, the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General notified creditors and debt collectors that, in its view, stimulus payments made under the CARES Act are exempt from garnishment or attachment by creditors under Massachusetts law, and remain exempt regardless of how the funds are deposited or held after receipt. Any act, or threat to act, to garnish, attach, or otherwise seize the funds will be a violation of the attorney general’s regulations governing debt collection.