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National Consumer Law Center

National Consumer Law Center

Legal Advocacy Organization

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States shield abuse survivors from coerced debt

Rule Changes

Leading federal advocacy and state model law development

For decades, abusers have weaponized debt against their victims—opening credit cards in partners' names, forcing them to sign loan documents under threat, running up charges they never agreed to. Even after escaping the relationship, survivors remained legally responsible for debts they never chose to incur. Starting February 16, 2026, New York joins seven other states in giving survivors a way out: creditors can no longer collect debts incurred through fraud, duress, or coercion, and survivors can dispute these debts with legal protection.

Updated Feb 16