Past-due debt prevalent across U.S., with South the highest

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http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/07/29/234649/past-due-debt-prevalent-across.html



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McClatchy obtained a copy of the report ahead of its release. Among the findings, based on records shared with researchers by the credit reporting agency TransUnion, are:

_ 35 percent of Americans with a credit file have debt in collection reported in these files. Bills more than 180 days overdue are sent to collection agencies.

_ The average amount owed on bills in collection is $5,200.

_ 5.3 percent of Americans with a credit file have bills reported to a credit bureau between 30 and 180 days past due.

_ The average amount owed on past-due debt not yet in collections is $2,258.

_ Americans with bills in collection and past-due debt owe a combined average of $9,123.

Future research will focus on a breakdown of debt by category, which will give a better sense of how much is credit card debt vs. medical bills or student loans. The latter is likely an important part of the story.