Debt Collection Calls Surge in the U.S.

debt collection calls in the united States have jumped 150% per capita,according to an analysis of data from the Federal trade Commission.

Reports jumped from 44,999 calls in the first quarter of 2024 to 112,583 calls in the first quarter of 2025.Forty-seven percent of these calls were considered harassment or rude.

Sabrina Leonard has been working to pay off nearly $14,000 in credit card debt accumulated after her divorce several years ago.

“I had interest rates of 25%, 27%,” she said. “It was just overwhelming, and even making the minimum, it’s like, oh, you’ll have this paid off in 35 years.”

Keeping up with payments is challenging enough,but Leonard said messages from debt collectors make the situation more stressful.

“It’s just an emotional stress,” Leonard said.

In missouri, nearly 2,000 consumers reported issues with debt collectors this year, according to FTC data.

Thomas Nitzsche is with Money Management International, a nonprofit that worked with Leonard’s creditors to lower her interest rates. He said the increase in legitimate debt collection calls creates opportunities for scammers.