Debt collection calls are rising sharply in 2025, according to a new analysis of Federal Trade Commission complaint data by NumberBarn. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, consumers filed 112,583 complaints related to debt collection calls, a 150% increase from the 44,999 reports filed during the same period in 2024.
- 47% of those 2025 complaints were flagged as abusive, threatening, or harassing, up nearly fourfold from the same period a year ago.
- Georgia ranks first in per capita complaints, with 80.8 reports per 100,000 residents.
- Atlanta tops the list of U.S. cities for debt collection call complaints, followed by Dallas, Miami, Houston, and Memphis.
The big picture: While debt collection call volumes hovered between 35,000 and 45,000 per quarter from 2020 through 2024, 2025 marks a stark departure. The spike suggests new or intensified activity in consumer outreach, either from legitimate debt collectors, scammers, or both.
Where it’s happening: The states with the highest complaint rates:
- Georgia
- Texas
- Florida
- Delaware
The states with the fastest year-over-year increases:
- Texas
- Arkansas
- Alaska
Only Vermont and Maine saw stable or declining complaint volumes.
The cities with the highest per capita complaint rates:
- Atlanta
- Dallas
- Miami
- Houston
- Memphis
Who’s getting called: Consumers aged 30 to 39 submitted the most debt collection call complaints, followed by those in the 40–49 and 50–59 age brackets. These age groups tend to carry higher balances and more types of consumer debt.
Younger consumers (under 30) and older ones (over 70) reported significantly fewer calls.
Debt context: The average personal debt in the U.S. reached $61,660 in the fourth quarter of 2024, a $970 increase from the previous year. The highest average balances by state:
- California: $86,000
- Washington: $85,490
- Colorado: $82,820
The lowest:
- West Virginia: $41,490
- Mississippi: $42,870
These balances include mortgage, auto, student, and credit card debt and reflect individuals with active credit files.
Between the lines: While it remains unclear what exactly triggered the 2025 surge in complaints, potential contributors include:
- Greater consumer awareness of FTC reporting channels
- Increased financial stress or delinquency
- An uptick in scam activity
- Escalated collection efforts by creditors and agencies
