Danieshia: Threatened with jail
Detroit, MI
“There were a few [debt collectors] that were calling and making threats. I had one that was telling me that I was going to 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.
Danieshia is not alone
Over 1 in 4 consumers contacted by debt collectors felt threatened.
Source: CFPB research report: Consumer Experiences With Debt Collection, 2017
Share your debt collection experience
The more we hear from you, the more insight we gain into what’s happening in the financial world and how it’s affecting you. Your experience will help inform how we work to protect consumers to create a fairer marketplace.
Steps you can take if you’re in a situation like Danieshia
Get help replying
Do you need to write a debt collector about a debt or dispute? Do you want them to stop calling you? We have action letters that you can use to start those conversations and more.
Get answers
Here are some commonly asked questions related to threats or harassment:
- Can a debt collection agency try to have me arrested over a debt collection?
- What is considered harassment by a debt collector?
- Are there laws that limit what debt collectors can say or do?
Submit a complaint
Having an issue with debt collection and need a response from a company? Submit a complaint – we’ll forward your complaint to the company and work to get a response from them.
Learn more about debt collection
Our resources will help you understand how debt collection works, what your rights are, and help you address other questions you may have about debt collection.
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
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Debbie: Excessive contact
Debbie told us that she was frustrated by the amount of calls she received about a debt she didn’t understand.
Jorge: Credit reporting errors
More than ten years after filing for bankruptcy, Jorge found that the bankruptcy was still showing up on his credit report. After getting nowhere with the credit reporting agency, Jorge reached out to the CFPB.
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Consumers across the country shared their experiences with debt collection.