New Study Shows Large Amount Of Floridians Facing Debt Collections

GreenPath Debt Solutions Offers Free Credit Counseling to Florida Residents

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Jul 30, 2014, 12:05 ET

TAMPA, Fla., July 30, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In light of a recent study, reporting 35 percent of Americans are facing some sort of debt collections, GreenPath Debt Solutions, a nationwide non-profit credit counseling agency with four offices across Florida, reminds residents that free debt counseling is available.

The study, from the Urban Institute of Washington DC, found that the delinquent debt is overwhelmingly concentrated in Southern and Western states. Florida cities have a large share of their populations being reported to collection agencies: Lakeland (47.3%), Jacksonville (45%), Orlando (44.8%), Deltona (41.7%), Tampa (41.6%), Miami (39.8%), Palm Bay, (37.4%), Cape Coral (35.5%) and North Port (35%).

"It is imperative that people review their credit report for accuracy," said Eric Salazar, GreenPath manager for Florida. "They should reach out to a non-profit credit counseling organization if they need help understanding their credit report or resolving their debt."

Salazar listed four likely reasons as to why debt is concentrated across Florida:

1. Service and construction jobs are predominant in Florida, which have, historically, been unstable industries.

2. Florida is considered a big retirement state. "Retirees living on a fixed income with higher healthcare costs and past due medical bills can add up to a large amount of debt," said Salazar.

3. More families are living paycheck-to-paycheck. They may use credit cards to pay bills if little or no money is set aside for emergencies.

4. There is a lack of education on credit reports and finances in general. Most people look at their credit report only after being denied for a loan of some kind. Many are surprised to find medical bills and collection debts on their report.

"In many instances, these simply are families who are living paycheck to paycheck," said Salazar. "This continues to be an ongoing problem, not only in Florida, but across the nation."

GreenPath offers credit counseling, debt management services, and credit report reviews. They have offices in Jacksonville, Tampa, Gainesville and Ocala.

For more information on GreenPath, or to receive a free counseling session and budget plan, log on to www.greenpath.org or call (866) 648-8122.

Keep up with GreenPath Debt Solutions online: www.facebook.com/greenpathdebt and www.twitter.com/greenpathdebt.

About GreenPath Debt Solutions
GreenPath Debt Solutions is a nationwide, non-profit financial organization that assists consumers with credit card debt, housing debt, student loan debt, and bankruptcy concerns. Our customized services and attainable solutions have been helping people achieve their financial goals since 1961. GreenPath operates 50 full-time branch offices in 11 states. They also deliver licensed services throughout the United States over the Internet and telephone. GreenPath is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA).

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SOURCE GreenPath Debt Solutions