LexisNexis ( April 14, 2022, 11:03 AM EDT) -- The COVID-19 pandemic seriously impaired the economic livelihood of large numbers of consumers beginning in 2020. Certain types of payments on consumer debt were suspended or reduced during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Some extensions carried over into 2022 but forbearance relief is ending. Many of the hardship programs were enacted through government initiatives. Individual creditors also offered COVID-related hardship programs, in some cases on a national level. The moratoriums and stays issued by state and local governments and the judiciary on creditor collection activity generally have expired or will expire in 2022....