Official Debt Collection, Court, and Legal Aid Sources

Federal consumer debt sources

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — debt collection hub
• CFPB — what to do if you are sued by a debt collector or creditor
• Federal Trade Commission — debt collection FAQs
• FTC — Fair Debt Collection Practices Act text

Courts and state procedure

• USAGov — federal, state, territory, county, and municipal courts
• USAGov — state consumer protection offices
• Use the court name and case number on your own papers to locate the correct clerk, local rules, forms, and self-help resources.

Legal aid and lawyer verification

• CFPB — how to find a lawyer for debt collection issues
• Legal Services Corporation — find legal help
• Before hiring a lawyer, verify the lawyer’s license and disciplinary status through the appropriate state bar or licensing authority.

Credit report source

AnnualCreditReport.com is the federally authorized source for free credit reports. A credit report is not a substitute for the court file, but it may help identify collection accounts or reporting issues.