Debt Collection

  Rule #1: Prioritize Debts Whose Non-Payment Immediately Harms Your Family Non-payment of certain debts have sudden and dire consequences for your family. Deal with these debts immediately—either pay these debts first or otherwise follow advice here on how to manage these debts. Never pay smaller, low priority debts just because you cannot keep up with high priority debts—“If I can’t pay my mortgage, at least I will keep up with my credit cards.” This is a bad idea.

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This client-focused handout contains information and tips about how to handle a call from a collector or someone collecting a debt on another's behalf. Here are two helpful videos on dealing with debt collection, and how to talk with a debt collector.  

This brochure talks about your options as a consumer when debt or debt collection becomes too much to handle. Nearly all of the 2 to 3% of the households who are behind on their bills were current until they faced a sudden blow to their wallets. Such blows include job loss, illness or other setbacks. Sometimes it is tempting to give in to the daily appeals in their mailbox to borrow, borrow, borrow. To help consumers, the feds and states have laws to stop abuse, deceit and unfair practices by debt collectors. Find out more in the brochure below.