Study finds Atlanta has highest number of debt collection complaints in the U.S.

According to a recent report by CBS News, the Atlanta metropolitan area had the highest number of debt collection complaints in the nation in 2025, based on data released by the Federal Trade Commission on July 8th. This indicates a significant rise in consumer reports related to collection activity all across the country. In fact, Georgia had the most complaints per capita out of all the states, making it the top-ranked state for debt collection complaints.

Overall, the FTC received over 471,000 debt collection complaints in 2025, which was more than double the number of complaints filed in 2024. Researchers believe that this increase can be attributed to a variety of factors, such as the growing amount of consumer debt, more aggressive collection efforts, and increased awareness of the FTC's complaint reporting process. While debt collectors were the main subject of these complaints, it's worth noting that not all cases involved legitimate collection agencies.

Some consumers claimed that they did not owe the debt in question, while others suspected that they were being targeted by fraudulent callers posing as collectors. In fact, nearly half of all complaints in 2025 alleged some form of abusive, threatening, or harassing behavior. After adjusting for population, Georgia was followed by Texas, Florida, and Louisiana in terms of the highest rates of complaints.

Every state saw an increase in complaints compared to 2024, with some even experiencing triple-digit percentage growth. On a more local level, cities like Dallas, Houston, Miami, and Memphis joined Atlanta in the top-ranking cities for complaints per capita. These cities, along with New York, also had the highest overall volume of FTC debt-collection complaints.

The report also revealed that adults between the ages of 30 and 39 filed the largest share of complaints in 2025, followed by those aged 40 to 49 and 20 to 29. Researchers believe that this can be attributed to the fact that many people in these age groups are managing multiple financial obligations, such as mortgages, vehicle loans, and student debt. In light of these findings, consumer advocates urge anyone who is contacted by a debt collector to take certain precautions.

These include requesting written verification before making a payment, avoiding sharing personal or banking information until the debt has been verified, knowing their rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, reporting any abusive or suspicious collection practices to the FTC, and using call-blocking or spam-filtering technology to reduce unwanted calls. In addition, a Black Army veteran shared tips for achieving financial freedom after paying off over $87,000 in debt. These tips include creating a budget, setting financial goals, and seeking assistance from a financial advisor if needed.

It's important for individuals to take control of their finances and be proactive in managing their debt in order to achieve financial stability.