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> In Riverview, HOA disputes escalated into arrests and foreclosure threats. One homeowner was jailed for a week over brown grass, while another faced a lien and thousands in legal fees tied to her house paint.

What, excuse me, the hell? I thought "debtor's prison" was outlawed centuries ago?

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IIRC, they missed their court appearance and a bench warrant was issued.

Debtors prison with extra steps?

VISA cannot sue me for not paying my cc. It can ruin my credit history but it cannot sue me. Wells Fargo cannot sue me for missing mortgage payments, It may repo the house but not sue me. If HOA's can sue a home owner for breach of contract, who would like to live with that hanging over their heads.

In the US, VISA or the issuing bank can and routinely does sue card holders who do not pay. Well, usually they sell the debt to firms that specialize in collection of delinquent debts, but the effect is the same.

Your bank absolutely can and will sue you for not paying your CC. What they can't do is have you thrown in jail for not showing up to court - they'll just win by default.

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