Are Debt Collectors Still Calling During Coronavirus?
ByAnna Baluch
UpdatedJan 17, 2026
- Coronavirus has not stopped debt collectors from calling.
- Know current rules for collection accounts.
- Make a plan to deal with debt, and get professional debt relief if necessary.
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There’s no denying that debt can cause a great deal of stress, especially when it’s paired with the coronavirus pandemic. To make matters worse, debt collectors may still call you, even in the midst of this crisis. The good news is there are some things you can do to manage your debt and debt collector calls during these difficult times. The tips we’ve listed below can put you more at ease and help educate you on your rights.
Speak to them at least once
When a debt collector calls you for the first time, it can be a good idea to speak to them. This holds true even if you don’t believe you owe them any money or don’t have the funds to pay. A brief conversation can give you the chance to determine whether it’s even your debt, or if there has been a mistake. If it’s a debt you do owe, you will then have enough information to come up with a payment plan or figure out next steps.
Get to know the current debt collection rules
While debt collectors may contact you during the coronavirus era, there are still federal and state rules they must follow, including:
You’re not responsible for your monthly payments on federal student loans from March 13th through September 30th, 2020. The Department of Education has also put a halt on interest during this time period.
If a debt collector or creditor has sued you, they may place a wage garnishment order against you which allows them to use a portion of your income to resolve a debt.
If you live in Washington, Illinois, or Oregon, there may be rules in place that make it illegal for a debt collector to seize your stimulus payment and put it toward your debt.
Consumer advocates are currently trying to stop all debt collection efforts. They believe that debt collection activity should be suspended and collection lawsuits should be postponed. In addition, they are strongly against new wage garnishment orders during this time. Keep an eye on these changes in the rules governing debt collection that may provide you with some extra protections.
If you need debt relief in Lubbock TX, (or anywhere else in the country), explore your options. The first step is the most important one—find out more today.
Don’t be afraid to stop debt collector calls
If you’re overwhelmed with debt collection calls, understand that you can stop them. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) allows you to do so through a cease and desist letter. A cease and desist letter is simply a letter you send to the debt collector with a request to suspend all contact with you. Although it won’t get rid of your debt, it could give you some relief from calls and letters and give you the chance to focus on how you’ll repay it.
In your letter, include the following information:
Current date
Name and address of the debt collector
Account number you get from your credit report or letters from the collector
A simple sentence such as “I am requesting that you cease all communication with me.”
It’s a good idea to send your letter through certified mail so you can make sure the debt collector receives it. Also, keep a copy for your records. Remember that the cease and desist letter only applies to the debt collector you send it to, so if you’d like to stop calls from multiple debt collectors, you’ll need to send multiple letters.
Come up with a game plan
Since you will have to pay back your debt eventually, take the time to figure out what you’ll have to do to make that happen. These tips can help you out.
Adjust your budget: Now is the perfect time to make changes to your budget. You may have to cut unnecessary expenses like takeout or cable so that you have more money to save and pay off debt.
Contact creditors: If you know you won’t be able to make your payments because of COVID-19, reach out to your creditors and let them know. They may offer deferments or other options for borrowers who are facing financial hardship.
Make extra money: Get creative and think about how you can earn some cash, especially if you’re out of a job or working less hours. You can sell items on Craigslist, deliver groceries, teach English online, or offer freelance writing or design services.
Remember the pandemic is temporary
Fortunately, the economic consequences of coronavirus won’t last forever. Jobs will return and the economy will improve in time, so stay positive and do whatever you have to do to get through this financial roadblock. But for now, if you’re struggling with debt collector calls or are worried about falling behind on debt payments, it might be time to take more serious action. Freedom Debt Relief is here to help you understand your options for dealing with your debt, including our debt settlement program. Our Certified Debt Consultants can help you find a solution that will put you on the path to a better financial future. Find out if you qualify right now.
Learn More
How to Prepare for a Recession If You are Already Struggling (Freedom Debt Relief)
3 Smart Ways to Spend Your Stimulus Check (Freedom Debt Relief)
How to Avoid Coronavirus Financial Scams (Freedom Debt Relief)
COVID-19 & Consumer Protections (National Consumer Law Center)
Debt relief stats and trends
We looked at a sample of data from Freedom Debt Relief of people seeking a debt relief program during December 2025. The data uncovers various trends and statistics about people seeking debt help.
Credit utilization and debt relief
How are people using their credit before seeking help? Credit utilization measures how much of a credit line is being used. For example, if you have a credit line of $10,000 and your balance is $3,000, that is a credit utilization of 30%. High credit utilization often signals financial stress. We have looked at people who are seeking debt relief and their credit utilization. (Low credit utilization is 30% or less, medium is between 31% and 50%, high is between 51% and 75%, very high is between 76% to 100%, and over-utilized over 100%). In December 2025, people seeking debt relief had an average of 74% credit utilization.
Here are some interesting numbers:
| Credit utilization bucket | Percent of debt relief seekers |
|---|---|
| Over utilized | 30% |
| Very high | 32% |
| High | 19% |
| Medium | 10% |
| Low | 9% |
The statistics refer to people who had a credit card balance greater than $0.
You don't have to have high credit utilization to look for a debt relief solution. There are a number of solutions for people, whether they have maxed out their credit cards or still have a significant part available.
Collection accounts balances – average debt by selected states.
Collection debt is one example of consumers struggling to pay their bills. According to 2023, data from the Urban Institute, 26% of people had a debt in collection.
In December 2025, 30% of debt relief seekers had a collection balance. The average amount of open collection account debt was $3,203.
Here is a quick look at the top five states by average collection debt balance.
| State | % with collection balance | Avg. collection balance |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 23 | $4,899 |
| Montana | 24 | $4,481 |
| Kansas | 32 | $4,468 |
| Nevada | 32 | $4,328 |
| Idaho | 27 | $4,305 |
The statistics are based on all debt relief seekers with a collection account balance over $0.
If you’re facing similar challenges, remember you’re not alone. Seeking help is a good first step to managing your debt.
Tackle Financial Challenges
Don’t let debt overwhelm you. Learn more about debt relief options. They can help you tackle your financial challenges. This is true whether you have high credit card balances or many tradelines. Start your path to recovery with the first step.
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Written by
Anna Baluch
Anna Baluch is a freelance writer who enjoys writing about all personal finance topics. She’s particularly interested in mortgages, retirement, insurance, and investing.
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