Debt help directory
Official agencies and national nonprofits, free to use. Filter by type of debt or search by keyword.
Verify before you call. Numbers and links were compiled on , and organizations change them. Confirm on the official website, and never give account passwords or pay a fee to anyone who calls you first.
17 of 17 contacts
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Cards and loans
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Federal agency · Free
Submit a complaint about a credit card, loan, mortgage, credit report, or debt collector. The company is asked to respond, usually within 15 days.
- Phone
- 855-411-2372
Helps with: Cards and loansCollectorsHousingCredit reportsScamsStudent loansMedical
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Scams
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ReportFraud
Federal agency · Free
Report debt relief scams, fake debt collectors, and other fraud. Reports are shared with law enforcement; the FTC does not resolve individual cases.
- Phone
- 877-382-4357
- Website
- reportfraud.ftc.gov
Helps with: ScamsCollectors
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Credit reports
IdentityTheft.gov
Federal agency (FTC) · Free
Report identity theft and get a personal recovery plan, including letters to dispute debts you did not create.
- Website
- identitytheft.gov
Helps with: Credit reportsScamsCollectors
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Credit reports
AnnualCreditReport.com
Federally authorized source · Free
Get free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It is the official site for free reports; lookalike sites may charge.
- Phone
- 877-322-8228
- Website
- annualcreditreport.com
Helps with: Credit reports
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Cards and loans
National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC)
National nonprofit · Free
Find a member nonprofit credit counseling agency for a budget review and, if suitable, a debt management plan. Counseling sessions are often free or low cost; plans may carry a modest monthly fee.
- Phone
- 800-388-2227
- Website
- nfcc.org
Helps with: Cards and loansCollectorsHousing
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Student loans
Federal Student Aid Information Center
Federal agency (U.S. Department of Education) · Free
Questions about federal student loans, repayment plans, deferment, and forgiveness programs. You never need to pay anyone for help with federal student loans.
- Phone
- 800-433-3243
- Website
- studentaid.gov
Helps with: Student loans
-
Tax debt
IRS payment plans
Federal agency · Free
Apply online for a short-term or long-term payment plan (installment agreement) for federal tax you owe.
- Phone
- 800-829-1040
- Website
- irs.gov/payments
Helps with: Tax debt
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Tax debt
Taxpayer Advocate Service
Independent office within the IRS · Free
Free help when an IRS problem is causing financial hardship or has not been resolved through normal channels.
- Phone
- 877-777-4778
- Website
- taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov
Helps with: Tax debt
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Medical
No Surprises Help Desk
Federal agency (CMS) · Free
Questions or complaints about surprise medical bills, such as out-of-network charges for emergency care, and good-faith estimates if you are uninsured or self-paying.
- Phone
- 800-985-3059
- Website
- cms.gov/nosurprises
Helps with: Medical
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Housing
HUD-approved housing counselors
Federal agency (HUD) program · Free
Find a HUD-approved counselor for help with mortgage trouble, foreclosure avoidance, or rental problems. Many services are free.
- Phone
- 800-569-4287
Helps with: Housing
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Utilities
LIHEAP energy assistance (NEAR line)
Federal program (HHS), run by states · Free
Find your state's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program office for help with heating and cooling bills or a shutoff notice.
- Phone
- 866-674-6327
- Website
- acf.gov/ocs/programs/liheap
Helps with: Utilities
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Utilities
211 (United Way and partners)
National nonprofit referral line · Free
Dial 211 to reach local help with rent, utility bills, food, and other essentials. Coverage and programs vary by area.
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Military
VA Debt Management Center
Federal agency (Veterans Affairs) · Free
Questions about debts from VA benefit overpayments, including payment plans, waivers, and compromise offers.
- Phone
- 800-827-0648
- Website
- va.gov/manage-va-debt
Helps with: Military
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Military
Military OneSource financial counseling
Department of Defense program · Free
Free, confidential financial counseling for service members and eligible family members.
- Phone
- 800-342-9647
- Website
- militaryonesource.mil
Helps with: MilitaryCards and loans
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Legal help
Legal Services Corporation: find legal aid
Federally funded nonprofit · Free
Find a local legal aid organization that may help with debt collection lawsuits, wage garnishment, or eviction if your income qualifies.
- Website
- lsc.gov
Helps with: Legal helpCollectorsHousing
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Legal help
U.S. Trustee Program approved credit counselors
Federal agency (Department of Justice) · Free
Before filing bankruptcy you must take credit counseling from an approved provider. This is the official list, searchable by state.
- Website
- justice.gov/ust
Helps with: Legal help
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Collectors
Your state attorney general
State government · Free
Report abusive collectors or debt relief companies under state law. Use the directory to find your state's office.
- Website
- naag.org/find-my-ag
Helps with: CollectorsScams
How the directory is chosen
Only government agencies, federally authorized services, and national nonprofits are listed. Debt Rolodex does not list for-profit debt settlement, consolidation lenders, or credit repair companies, and nobody pays to be included.
State programs and laws vary. For state-specific help, start with your state attorney general or dial 211.