Alarming Facts about the Impact of Debt

Debt collectors generate more consumer complaints to the FTC than any other industry in the nation - an amazing 91,019 complaints in 2007 alone (source)!

Yes, we should pay our debts when able, but the drive to pressure consumers into paying debts no-matter-what is intensifying. That's because banks make over 10% of their profit from funds recovered by debt collectors - an astonishing $39 billion in 2005 alone (source)! That's a lot of incentive for crossing the line and using abusive, unfair, decepting and harassing debt collection tactics.

Millions of consumers in America are facing severe financial hardships. Total consumer debt is over $2 trillion, with $947.4 billion of that carried on expensive credit card accounts (source). Americans have a personal savings of negative $163 billion (source) and personal income growth is at a virtual stand-still (source). Outrageously high gas prices are driving our debt crisis to new levels as more consumers are forced into choosing between paying their credit card bills and getting to work, the grocery store or school.

Debt hits more than our wallets. Financial stress places stress on marriages and is a leading cause of divorce (source). More than 45 million consumers do not have health insurance (source, source) and 77 million reported having significant trouble paying medical bills (source). Many consumers avoid seeking medical care out of fear that they will be hounded by aggressive debt collectors because of their inability to pay medical debts (source). An estimated 18,000 people die each year in the USA due to lack of health coverage (source).