Atlanta, Miami Lead Major Metro Areas in FTC Debt Collection Complaint Study
Atlanta and Miami ranked among the U.S. metropolitan areas with the highest rates of debt collection complaints in 2025, according to a new analysis of Federal Trade Commission complaint data by NumberBarn.
The report found Atlanta ranked first nationwide after adjusting for population, while Miami ranked fourth. The findings come as FTC debt collection complaints more than doubled year over year, highlighting growing consumer concerns while underscoring that complaint data does not necessarily reflect unlawful collection activity.
FTC complaints more than doubled in 2025
According to the analysis, consumers filed more than 471,000 debt collection complaints with the FTC in 2025, more than twice the number reported in 2024.
Nearly half of those complaints alleged collectors used abusive, threatening or harassing tactics. However, the study noted that many complaints involved situations where consumers believed they did not owe the debt or suspected the communications were fraudulent, rather than confirmed violations by legitimate debt collectors.
The increase may reflect several factors, including:
- Higher consumer debt balances
- Increased collection activity
- Greater consumer awareness of the FTC’s complaint process
- An increase in fraudulent debt collection scams generating consumer reports
Atlanta tops metro rankings
Among major metropolitan areas, Atlanta ranked first for debt collection complaints on a per capita basis. The study also found Georgia ranked first among all states after adjusting for population.
Other metropolitan areas near the top included:
- Atlanta
- Dallas
- Miami
- Houston
- Memphis
Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, New York and Miami also generated the largest total number of complaints during the year.
Florida also ranks near the top
Florida ranked fourth nationally for debt collection complaints per capita, behind:
- Georgia
- Texas
- Louisiana
- Florida
Miami’s fourth-place metro ranking reflects both a high complaint rate relative to population and one of the nation’s highest overall complaint volumes.
Younger working-age consumers filed the most complaints
The study found consumers ages 30 to 39 submitted the largest share of FTC debt collection complaints during 2025.
They were followed by consumers ages:
- 40 to 49
- 20 to 29
Researchers noted these age groups often carry multiple forms of debt, including mortgages, auto loans, student loans and credit card balances.
