Attachment of assets

Attachment of assets is the court process of seizing or holding a debtor’s property, such as bank funds or belongings, so it remains available to pay off a debt or judgment. It is one of several enforcement tools a court can use once a claim succeeds.

When it matters

For scam victims, attachment usually becomes relevant after winning a civil claim against a scammer, when the judgment still needs to be enforced because the scammer has not paid voluntarily. Related enforcement tools include a garnishee order for bank funds and a writ of seizure and sale for property. Enforcement only works if the defendant actually has traceable assets, which is worth checking before spending on this step.