What does a creditor need to garnish my wages, or to take money out of my checking or savings without my consent?

If a creditor sues you and obtains a judgment against you, the creditor can then file with the court to garnish wages or levy a bank account. If you have a delinquent loan with the same bank where you keep your savings, that bank may be able to dip into your account without a court order depending on the terms of your contract.