The statute of limitations also plays a critical role. Each state sets time limits on how long a creditor can sue you for ...

The likelihood that a debt collector will sue you over an unpaid balance depends on the debt, the amount and how collectible ...

Household debt in the United States hit a record $18.2 trillion during the first quarter of 2025 amid a steep rise in mortgage balances, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Disputing collections debt can protect your credit, but only if you know when it actually makes sense to do so.

When you owe money, it's not unusual for your debt to be assigned to a debt collector. Once that happens, debt collectors might start contacting you on a regular basis in an effort to get paid. But ...

Debt collection calls in the U.S. more than doubled in early 2025, soaring to over 112,000 reports. Nearly half of complaints involved abusive or harassing tactics, raising consumer protection ...

Debt collectors rarely disappear on their own. Old balances can be sold, resold, and pursued in different ways for years, even after the legal window to sue has closed. I want to walk through how long ...

(InvestigateTV) — Getting a call from a debt collector can feel overwhelming—and intimidating. But consumer advocates say the worst thing you can do is panic or pay right away. Before taking action, ...

You pick up the phone and hear a stern voice claiming you owe money. Maybe it's for a credit card you don't recognize, a loan you never took out or some old bill you thought was long gone. Panic sets ...