Blog

Published MAR 20, 2020

Coronavirus at pagharap sa utang: Mga tips na makakatulong na mapagaan ang epekto

Mayroon kaming mga mapagkukunan ng impormasyon at suporta na magagamit mo upang matugunan ang mga suliraning kaugnay ng pagkolekta ng bayad sa utang sa panahon ng pandaigdigang salot ng coronavirus.

By Kristin Dohn

• • Debt collection
• • Disasters and emergencies

Published MAR 20, 2020

冠狀病毒和處理債務：幫助減輕影響的建議

我們擁有可用來在冠狀病毒大流行期間解決與債務催收相關問題的資源。

By Kristin Dohn

• • Debt collection
• • Disasters and emergencies

Info for consumers

Published FEB 24, 2020

Cómo diferenciar a un cobrador de deudas legítimo de los estafadores

Cuando los cobradores le contactan, usted podría no saber si se trata de uno legítimo o de alguien tratando de estafarle.

By Kristin Dohn

• • Debt collection
• • Deceptive practices
• • Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published NOV 20, 2019

How to tell the difference between a legitimate debt collector and scammers

When debt collectors contact you, you may not be sure if they are legitimate or trying to scam you.

By Courtney-Rose Dantus

• • Debt collection
• • Deceptive practices
• • Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published JUN 05, 2019

Budgeting: How to create a budget and stick with it

Making and sticking to a budget is a key step towards getting a handle on your debt and planning for the future.

By Courtney-Rose Dantus

• • Debt collection
• • Financial education

Info for consumers

Published MAY 14, 2019

Cómo descubrir a un estafador

Le mostramos lo que puede hacer si alguien le llama para ofrecerle un premio a cambio de que pague primero.

By Serena Villalba

• • Debt collection
• • Deceptive practices
• • Identity theft and fraud
• • Older Americans

Info for consumers

Published MAY 10, 2019

What to do if you’re wrongfully billed for Medicare costs

Under the Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) program, medical providers such as doctors, hospitals, and medical supply companies aren't allowed to bill...

By Stacy Canan and Tim Engelhardt

• • Debt collection
• • Financial education
• • Medical debt

Info for consumers

Published MAY 06, 2019

Cómo echarle mano a su deuda

Si necesita ayuda manejando sus deudas, lo primero que debe saber es, quién puede ayudarle, y cómo evitar estafas y trampas.

By Serena Villalba

• • Credit cards
• • Debt collection
• • Financial well-being
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published APR 03, 2019

Need help with your credit card debt? Start with your credit card company!

Overwhelmed by credit card debt and might miss a payment? Contact your creditor about your current situation for alternative repayment options.

By Mary Griffin and Michele Scarbrough

• • Credit cards
• • Debt collection
• • Financial coaching
• • Financial service providers

Info for consumers

Published FEB 07, 2019

New protections for servicemembers and veterans alert

Information for servicemembers about new laws on VA refinances, medical debt, credit monitoring, foreclosure protection, and when they go into effect.

By Patrick Campbell and Brian Lavin

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Debt collection
• • Foreclosure
• • Homebuying
• • Medical debt
• • Mortgages
• • Servicemembers

Info for consumers

Published DEC 27, 2018

Resolve to take control of your debt in the new year

You can start to take control of your debt in six easy steps.

By Courtney-Rose Dantus

• • Debt collection
• • Financial well-being

Info for consumers

Published OCT 12, 2018

Your top debt collection questions answered

Learn more about how debt collection works or identify steps that you can take to address your own situation.

By Courtney-Rose Dantus

• • Debt collection
• • Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Data, research, and reports

Published AUG 22, 2018

More than 1-in-5 consumers had telecommunications-related collections on their consumer report in the past 5 years

Consumers typically pay for telecommunications services monthly, but most providers do not report to consumer reporting agencies unless an account is in collections. In this report, we explore how these debts are reported.

By Nicholas Tremper

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Data
• • Debt collection
• • Research

Info for consumers

Published AUG 20, 2018

WARNO: New security clearance guidelines make it more important than ever for servicemembers to monitor their credit

How to safeguard your credit record and avoid security clearance problems.

By Anthony Camilli and Joshua Friedman

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Debt collection
• • Servicemembers

Data, research, and reports

Published MAY 31, 2018

Complaint snapshot: An analysis of debt collection complaints

We recently published a Complaint Snapshot report, which provides an overview of trends across consumer complaints. We also took a focused look at debt collection complaints.

By Chris Johnson

• • Consumer complaints
• • Debt collection

Info for consumers

Published NOV 07, 2017

How to spot a scammer

Here’s what to do if someone calls you with the offer of a prize or sweepstakes that you have to pay for.

By Courtney-Rose Dantus

• • Debt collection
• • Deceptive practices
• • Identity theft and fraud
• • Older Americans

Info for consumers

Published OCT 23, 2017

How to get a handle on debt

If you need help managing your debt, the first step is knowing who can help you—and how to avoid scams and traps.

By Courtney-Rose Dantus

• • Credit cards
• • Debt collection
• • Financial well-being
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published SEP 22, 2017

Servicemembers and debt collection: Sharing your stories

Servicemembers share their stories of dealing with debt collection. Learn the steps to take when contacted by a debt collector.

By Courtney-Rose Dantus

• • Debt collection
• • Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
• • Servicemembers

Info for consumers

Published SEP 01, 2017

Here’s what you should know if you were harmed by Morgan Drexen

Did you sign up for debt settlement services with Morgan Drexen? You could be eligible for compensation.

By Courtney-Rose Dantus

• • Civil Penalty Fund
• • Debt collection
• • Enforcement

Info for consumers

Published SEP 01, 2017

Got a check in the mail from the CFPB? Here’s how to tell if it’s legit

We'll never ask you to pay money or provide additional information to cash a check. Contact us if you think the check you received might be a scam.

By Courtney-Rose Dantus

• • Civil Penalty Fund
• • Debt collection
• • Enforcement

Info for consumers

Published AUG 10, 2017

Behind on bills: Three steps to help you make tough choices in tight moments

Here are some steps to consider if you can’t pay your bills.

By Courtney-Rose Dantus

• • Debt collection
• • Financial well-being

Info for consumers

Published JUL 20, 2017

How to respond when a debt collector contacts you in three easy steps

Even if the debt is yours, you still have the right not to talk to the debt collector and you can tell the debt collector to stop calling you.

By Courtney-Rose Dantus

• • Debt collection
• • Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Data, research, and reports Info for consumers

Published JUL 06, 2017

Top five consumer financial complaints reported across the U.S.

Read about top financial issues reported by consumers to the CFPB and get information to help if you have a similar issue.

By Chris Johnson

• • Banking
• • Consumer complaints
• • Credit cards
• • Credit reports and scores
• • Debt collection
• • Mortgages

Info for consumers

Published JUN 06, 2017

The IRS is using private debt collectors. Here’s what you should know.

If you have an old debt with the IRS, you might receive a letter informing you that your account is being transferred to a private debt collector. Learn...

By Colleen Tressler

• • Debt collection
• • Identity theft and fraud

Data, research, and reports

Published APR 03, 2017

Understanding Consumer Experiences: Insights from CFPB’s 2016 Consumer Response Annual Report

We recently published our Consumer Response Annual Report, which provides an overview of the complaints we received in 2016.

By Chris Johnson

• • Auto loans
• • Banking
• • Checking account
• • Consumer complaints
• • Credit cards
• • Credit reports and scores
• • Data
• • Debt collection
• • Money transfers
• • Mortgages
• • Payday loans
• • Student loans