All data comes from the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database, a public dataset maintained by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It contains over 1 million debt collection complaints filed by U.S. consumers since 2013.

Letter grades reflect a composite score based on complaint volume, response timeliness, consumer dispute rate, and complaint trend. An A-grade collector has significantly fewer complaints and better resolution rates relative to peers in the database. Grades are relative within the debt collection industry.

Not necessarily. Complaints reflect consumer reports, not proven violations. Large companies will naturally receive more complaints due to volume. However, a high complaint rate combined with low response rates and high dispute rates is a meaningful warning signal.

If a collector has no complaints on file with the CFPB, they won't appear in our database. This may mean they operate at small scale, are new to the industry, or consumers haven't filed CFPB complaints against them. Absence from our database is not a quality endorsement.

PlainCollector is an informational research tool only. To dispute a debt or file a complaint, visit the CFPB directly at consumerfinance.gov/complaint or call 1-855-411-2372.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) limits when and how collectors can contact you. They cannot call before 8 AM or after 9 PM, cannot harass you, and must provide a debt verification notice within 5 days of first contact. The CFPB's website has detailed guides on your rights.

We update our database when new CFPB data becomes available. The current database covers complaints through July 2026. The CFPB publishes new complaint data on a rolling basis.