Debt collection stories
Your voice, your story. We’ve heard from consumers across the country about their experiences with debt collection.
Danieshia: Threatened with jail
After losing her job, Danieshia explains that she was unable to pay her debts and soon found herself being threatened with jail by a debt collector.
William: Not my debt
William told us that debt collectors requested that he pay $8,000 for a debt he never owed, ruining his credit in the process.
Debbie: Excessive contact
Debbie told us that she was frustrated by the amount of calls she received about a debt she didn’t understand.
Bernadette: Unwanted contact
Bernadette told us that a collection agency left her a message at work. Shortly thereafter, she says the collection agency contacted her dad, sisters, and a friend.
What we’re doing
In July 2016, we outlined a number of proposals under consideration regarding debt collection, including:
- Improving the quality of information about the debt being collected
- Limiting the frequency with which debt collectors may contact consumers
- Improving the information that consumers have at the outset of collections
- Improving consumer understanding of the debt collection process