What Is Consumer Debt?
If you're dealing with debt, it's important to know whether your debt is a consumer debt.
Consumer debt is any debt that comes from personal, family, or household expenses.
Debts owed to the government, debts from business activities, and debts from family law cases or criminal cases are usually not considered consumer debts.
Understanding whether your debt is consumer debt is important because it affects your options and legal rights. You will typically have more protection and rights when your debt is a consumer debt.
Examples of consumer debts:
- Credit card bills for personal purchases
- Phone bills
- Medical bills
- Personal loans (such as a car loan for a personal vehicle)
- Utility bills for your home
- A mortgage for your home
Examples of debts that are not consumer debts:
- Credit card bills for business-related purchases
- Mortgages for a business property
- Tax debt
- Child support or spousal support debt that you owe
- Court debt, such as fines, fees, and restitution
- Other debts owed to the government
More on Consumer Debt:
Dealing with Debt in Oregon
If you are missing payments on bills, receiving calls or letters from debt collectors, facing a lawsuit, or having money taken out of your paycheck or bank account, guides and articles on dealing with debt are here to help.Debt Collection
This section is under development and will be published in April 2025. Please check back soon.Debt Lawsuits and Judgments
If you've been sued over a consumer debt or discovered a judgment against you, these articles can help. Read about debt collection lawsuits, when you might respond when sued and when you might not, what to do about judgments against you, and more.Garnishment
When a debt collector takes money from your paycheck, bank account, or property to pay a debt, it’s called garnishment. Learn what protections you have and what you can do if they try to take too much.