Debt Collector Complaints Surge As Americans Struggle With Overdue Bills

Debt collector complaints in the U.S. have jumped sharply in 2025, reflecting both a heavier household debt load and more aggressive – and sometimes abusive or mistaken – collection activity as more Americans fall behind on their bills. Rising delinquencies on credit cards, medical debt, utilities and some mortgages are feeding more collection calls and disputes.​

What is happening

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received over 112,000 debt collection call complaints in just the first quarter of 2025, about 150% more than the same quarter in 2024.​

• In the second quarter of 2025, the FTC logged more than 140,000 debt collection complaints, up from about 44,000 a year earlier.​

• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) says it received about 207,800 debt collection complaints in 2024, almost double the roughly 109,900 it got in 2023.​

Why complaints are surging

• Household debt has reached record levels (around 18+ trillion dollars), and credit card balances have climbed above 1.2 trillion dollars, with consumer loan delinquencies at their highest point since around 2012.​

• More Americans are behind on different bills, including utilities and some mortgages, as higher prices, interest rates, and a softer labor market strain budgets.​

• Consumer advocates say some collectors are pushing harder in this environment, while scammers are also posing as collectors, creating a “perfect storm” of both legitimate and fraudulent collection contacts.​

What people are complaining about

• A large share of complaints involve attempts to collect debts that consumers say they do not owe or do not recognize, often linked to errors or identity theft.​

• Other common issues include:

  • Harassing, threatening, or repeated calls.​

  • Not getting enough written information to verify the debt, especially with medical bills.​

  • Collectors continuing to contact people after they have been told to stop.​

Who is most affected

• Americans in their 30s file the largest share of collection call complaints; this group carries a big portion of student loan and other consumer debt.​

• States with especially high complaint volumes include Georgia, Texas, Florida and several others where overall delinquencies and collection activity are elevated.​

Practical takeaways if you’re getting calls

• Verify the caller: Ask for the company’s name, mailing address, and written validation of the debt; do not share bank details until the debt is confirmed.​

• Know your rights: U.S. law restricts harassment, false threats, and calls at inconvenient times, and gives you the right to dispute a debt and demand written information.​

• Get help early: Nonprofit credit counselors and legal aid groups can negotiate with creditors or help challenge invalid or abusive collection efforts.​