Contributor
Sarah Chen
Senior Consumer Finance Reporter
B.A. Economics, U. of Michigan. Former CFPB enforcement analyst.
Sarah covers consumer debt, lending practices and regulatory enforcement. Before joining The Ledger she spent six years at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, where she investigated debt-relief firms and credit-reporting violations.
Bibliography · 2 articles
- Jun 19, 2026
Settlement Firms Promise 50% Cuts. The Math Is Rarely That Simple.
A review of 1,200 enrolled accounts shows the average consumer paid roughly 78 cents on the dollar after fees, taxes and continued interest — and watched their credit score fall by an average of 102 points along the way.
- Jun 18, 2026
Debt Settlement: How It Actually Works
The mechanics of stopping payments, accumulating a settlement fund, negotiating with creditors, and absorbing the tax and credit consequences that follow.