Before you hand over money to a debt collector, take these steps to protect both your finances and your rights.

Got credit card debt? You aren’t alone. In the second quarter of 2025, total credit card debt in the U.S. reached a record ...

Angelica Leicht is the senior editor for the Managing Your Money section for CBSNews.com, where she writes and edits articles on a range of personal finance topics. Angelica previously held editing ...

Dealing with debt can be difficult, but when debt collectors start calling, it can feel overwhelming. New data reveals debt collection calls are surging across the country and in the Delaware Valley.

Let’s say the bills keep stacking up, and your income just isn’t stretching like it used to. You're not spending wildly, you’re just stuck. At some point, you start Googling solutions. And if you’ve ...

An example of good debt is a student loan used to pay for education that increases your earning potential or a mortgage for a home that builds equity over time. A car loan can be considered bad debt ...

For many Americans, debt isn’t just a balance on a screen—it’s a daily weight. In a 2025 survey by financial services company ...

Debt management restructures your debt so you can pay it off. Debt settlement involves some amount of debt forgiveness. If you don't qualify for debt management, debt settlement might work for you.

"Federal Trade Commission rules include an advance-fee ban," says Pack. "This rule prohibits a debt relief company from ...