The 12 Best Debt Relief Companies
Who Provides the Best Debt Relief?
If you're facing an ever-increasing pile of "past due" notices, threatening letters from the IRS, and credit card statements where you're barely paying the interest, you're not alone. With unemployment rates reaching record highs, more people are struggling to make ends meet. The average American carries over $90,000 in debt, from student loans to mortgages, and it's easy to get in over your head.
Debt relief is the solution you need. It may sound like a gimmick or a scam, but rest assured that there are many reputable services that can help you reduce the amount of money you owe and help you get back on track financially. These programs typically work by negotiating on your behalf with credit card companies and other debtors, through strategies like debt settlement and repayment plans. Some of the best debt relief services work closely with you to create a solid plan for moving forward too, helping you to make sound financial decisions and hopefully avoid needing such measures in the future!
Wednesday, March 22nd
2023 Debt Relief Company Reviews
National Debt Relief
National Debt Relief has helped over 500,000 people to relieve their debt by negotiating lower payments with creditors. You'll pay a low monthly fee based on your total amount of enrolled debt while the company goes to work on your behalf. You won't find any other debt relief company with over 80,000 five-star reviews from satisfied clients. National Debt Relief should be the first place you go to schedule a free consultation and get on top of your finances.
Credit.org
Credit.org has provided more than five million financial coaching sessions in the nearly 50 years they've been in operation - and most of their services are absolutely free. You'll get a complimentary consultation to analyze your finances and determine which steps you should take to improve your situation, which may include debt relief programs, but there's no obligation to sign up. Credit.org gets high marks from clients for being stress-free and helpful, and it's one of our favorite resources for anyone who needs financial advice.
Upstart
Upstart knows that a credit score isn't the only factor to consider when evaluating your loan application. They employ a sophisticated artificial intelligence process that looks beyond just your credit history - making it more likely that you'll be approved for your loan. Happy customers typically receive their money very quickly, and praise this service for being easy and affordable.
Curadebt
For over 25 years, CuraDebt has helped people get on top of what they owe through proven debt relief strategies. You only pay fees when your debts are resolved, and you'll still save a lot of money. The initial consultation is complimentary. While this is still one of our favorite resources for trustworthy debt relief, there are 16 states where residents will not be eligible for CuraDebt's services.
Reach Financial
Reach Financial specializes in loans for the purpose of debt relief. The company has a great reputation, both with the BBB and its clients. We wish they were a little more forthcoming about what a prospective borrower can expect, especially with regards to loan amounts, terms, and APR's. Still, we see bright things ahead for this relative newcomer.
LendingTree
LendingTree is an online loan marketplace for every type of borrowing, from auto loans to credit cards and beyond. You can use this service to easily compare offers from up to five lenders at a time, helping you access the best rates and terms for your personal loan. We love the detailed information provided on each lending partner, with thousands of client reviews to help determine which one is the best choice for a loan. LendingTree has a great reputation and is a trustworthy option if you want to use a referral service to research and secure a loan.
SoFi
SoFi has some big benefits compared with other options for debt relief loans: the lowest average interest rates, assistance (and forbearance) if you lose your job while repaying a loan, and even occasional sign-up bonus money. But, an increase in the number of complaints from SoFi clients, describing negative experiences specifically with the customer service department, gave us some cause for concern.
SuperMoney
SuperMoney offers comparison "shopping" for many financial products, including debt relief loans. They offer funding through just over a dozen partners, and you can see detailed information and reviews about each one before filling out your application. SuperMoney hasn't been around as long as some of the referral platforms we evaluated and so there's not as much customer feedback yet. This is a good way to gather information about personal loans you might be eligible for, but you'll still have to complete your application directly with the lender you choose.
LendingClub
LendingClub used to crowdfund all of their consolidation loans through investors. But, after undergoing some changes, their lending is now structured more like a regular bank. They offer fixed-rate loans with repayment terms of at least 36 months, and recent customer feedback is almost universally positive. You should have a good experience if you choose to get a debt relief loan here, but we're holding back a higher recommendation until the BBB provides an updated rating for LendingClub.
Payoff
Payoff connects you with one of eight lenders in their network, getting you a debt relief loan so that you can pay off your high-interest credit cards. While the BBB gives the company high marks, feedback from clients is much more mixed. Some have a great experience, while others describe a frustrating process from start to finish. There are more hassle-free options elsewhere if you want a loan to pay off your debt.
American Debt Enders
American Debt Enders doesn't offer debt relief per se. Instead, they work on disputing debts that have been sold by your creditors to third-party collections. Your initial consultation is free, and any fees will depend on the amount of your debt and the strategy put in place to address it. This service doesn't offer as many options as other providers, and they're not as professional either. You'll probably have a more satisfying experience with another debt relief program.
Debt Consolidation Care
Debt Consolidation Care has been around for nearly 20 years and has an "A+" rating and accreditation from the BBB. However, the service isn't as smooth as many rival providers, and DCC doesn't make it obvious that they'll be handing you off to a fee-based debt relief service for counseling. There are definitely more robust options out there.
Continued from above...
Are you eligible for debt relief? The criteria vary by provider, but you probably need to have at least $5,000 in total debt owed across all categories (taxes, credit cards, auto payments, and so on). Also, be aware that some "debt relief" is structured as a personal loan: you use the proceeds to pay off multiple accounts and consolidate what you owe into a single monthly payment. In that case, the ball is in your court and you won't necessarily get any financial coaching or have professionals working to renegotiate what you owe.
Which debt relief program is best for you? That depends on several factors, such as the type of debt you owe and how much, as well as your credit history and ability to qualify for a loan. Here are several features to keep in mind as you evaluate your options for debt relief:
- Approach. How does the debt relief provider help reduce or eliminate your debt? Some companies actually reach out to your creditors to get them to agree to a smaller payback amount, while others give you a loan so that you can pay off your debts on your own. It's worth considering multiple strategies to find the one that will be in your best interest.
- Fees. Will you pay anything for the debt relief plan being offered? If it's a personal loan used to clear debts, what will you pay in interest and origination fees?
- Reputation. What do other clients say about their experience with the debt relief service? Is the company trustworthy? Look for strong positive reviews from people who have actually used the program, as well as a good rating from the Better Business Bureau.
TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked the most popular debt relief programs available today. We hope this information helps you get out from under your mountain of debt and gain the peace of mind that comes from knowing you're on the right track financially.
Debt Relief Company FAQ
Compare Debt Relief Companies
Select any 2 Debt Relief Companies to compare them head to head
Debt Relief Articles
Trending Debt Relief News
Related Debt Relief Reviews
Since you're interested in Debt Relief Companies, here are some other reviews you might find interesting.
Newest Reviews
