Consumer debt consists of personal debts for goods purchased for personal or household consumption—as opposed to debts incurred for the operation of a business. Common examples of consumer debt include (1) credit card debt; (2) student loans; (3) home mortgage loans; (4) car or auto loans; (5) payday loans; (6) medical debts; and (7) unpaid utility and telephone bills.

In Florida, consumer debt is regulated by both state statutes and federal laws. Credit card debt, student loans, home mortgages, auto loans, payday loans, medical debts, and unpaid utility and telephone bills are all considered consumer debts when they are incurred for personal or household use. The Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act (FCCPA) provides protections to consumers from abusive collection practices by debt collectors and creditors. Additionally, federal laws such as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) offer further protections against harassment and unfair practices in debt collection. Florida law also provides a statute of limitations on how long a creditor can take legal action to collect a debt, which varies depending on the type of debt. For example, the statute of limitations for credit card debt and other written contracts is typically five years, while it is four years for open-ended accounts. It's important for consumers to be aware of their rights and obligations regarding consumer debt and to seek advice from an attorney if they face debt collection issues or need legal assistance.