Can debt relief trigger more aggressive collection attempts?

MoneyWatch: Managing Your Money Can debt relief trigger more aggressive collection attempts? We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-moneywatch.jpg'); } By Angelica Leicht Angelica Leicht Senior Editor, Managing Your Money Angelica Leicht is the senior editor for the Managing Your Money section for CBSNews.com, where she writes and edits articles on a range of personal finance topics. Angelica previously held editing roles at The Simple Dollar, Interest, HousingWire and other financial publications. Read Full Bio Angelica Leicht April 23, 2026 / 12:58 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Debt relief can be an effective path forward, but it doesn't always deliver immediate relief from creditor contact. Getty Images/iStockphoto Credit card balances are sticking around longer — and costing a lot more — in today's economic environment. Case in point? If you're carrying a revolving balance right now, it's likely accruing interest at a rate of 21% or higher, and as the interest charges compound and the balance grows, it gets harder for payments, even consistent ones, to make a meaningful dent in what's owed. And, when you add in the other hurdles borrowers are currently facing, like rapidly rising inflation and a tough job market, it's easy to see why so many people are struggling to keep up with their payments. In turn, many borrowers are considering structured debt relief as a way to break the cycle. But while taking that step may make it easier to get rid of your debt through settlement or other means, the debt relief process can also come with trade-offs that aren't always obvious. After all, debt relief programs often change how and when your creditors get paid, which can shift the dynamic between you and your lender. So, what feels like a proactive move on your end may be viewed...