While tax refunds may be intercepted for delinquent child support, taxes or student loans, private creditors generally don't have the ability to intercept your tax refund. If you have been told otherwise by a debt collector, you need to talk with a consumer law attorney. If the debt collector is threatening to take your tax refund, he or she may be breaking the law and the attorney can help you determine whether that's the case.
If the auto lender or debt collector takes you to court, sues you, and gets a judgment, they may have additional avenues for collecting from you. That's why we encourage consumers to get advice from a consumer law or bankruptcy attorney if they are being sued for a debt.