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National Debt Relief Review

Tuesday, December 3rd

2024 Debt Relief Company Reviews

Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award National Debt Relief Review 5 Star Rating

National Debt Relief

5 Star Rating
  • Debt relief through negotiating with creditors
  • Free initial consultation
  • Can help you with most types of unsecured debt, including credit cards, personal loans, lines of credit, medical bills, collections, repossessions, business debts, and some student debts
  • Fees based on amount of debt enrolled, nothing due upfront
  • Must owe at least $7,500, be several months behind on payments, and be facing a financial crisis (job loss, unexpected medical bills, death of a spouse)
  • Average savings of 46%, or 25% after NDR fees
  • Plans typically range from 24-48 months
  • "A+” rated and accredited by the BBB
  • Over 33,000 5-star reviews
  • In business since 2009
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee
Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

For almost 20 years, National Debt Relief has worked tirelessly to help clients get back on their feet financially. If you're struggling with almost any kind of unsecured debt, from credit cards and personal loans to collections, business debt, and beyond, there is relief here for you. And, right off the bat, you should know that NDR uses a results-based model to do business: you're only charged a fee when they've negotiated a settlement with one of your creditors and you give your approval for the arrangement.

Basic eligibility criteria to enroll

Let's take a look at how National Debt Relief works, starting with the eligibility criteria. First, your unsecured debt total will need to be at least $7,500. Next, you should be a few months behind on your payments. Finally, you should be able to demonstrate that you're currently experiencing some kind of financial crisis, like the loss of a job or the death of the primary income-earner in the household. Why? National Debt Relief's primary strategy to help you is debt negotiation, and they need to convince your creditors that it's going to be smarter for them financially to accept a smaller payment, rather than setting the collection agencies on you and potentially getting nothing.

Funds remain in your name

Wondering where the money comes from to pay even that reduced amount? Those funds will come from you over time. You'll make regular deposits into an account that National Debt Relief establishes in your name: it's FDIC-insured and remains fully in your control. You'll want to build up that account as much as you can, so that NDR can get to work negotiating settlements on your behalf, and they need something to work with. (In other words, they can't offer to settle for $1,500 if you only have $200 set aside.) But, nothing will be disbursed from that account until you approve a specific negotiated settlement.

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Only pay fees when you accept a settlement

Once you've made the first payment towards an agreed-upon settlement amount, National Debt Relief will charge a fee from that same account, usually between 15%-25% of the total debt that was enrolled. Given that they typically save clients 45% on the original debt amount, you're still saving quite a bit of money.

Can negotiate many types of debt

One big plus for National Debt Relief is the variety of creditors they're willing to negotiate with. While the bulk of their work is with credit card providers and lenders offering personal loans, you can also enroll veterinarian bills over $500, back rent (as long as it's not where you're currently living), timeshares on which you've stopped making payments, and more.

Check out the compelling client stories

If you're wondering how National Debt Relief might work for someone in your situation, you may find someone similar in their published client stories. For instance, Angelic B. is a singer with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra who had $43,144 in total debt. With a monthly payment of $813 and a program length of 44 months, she saved a total of $11,000 on her debt amount: a 27% savings (and NDR even shows you Angelic's bank statement to prove it). Or how about Lindsay, a single working mom who paid $506 for 14 months and wound up saving $9,398 overall? When you look at what each of those clients would have paid if they'd relied on making minimum credit card payments alone, you'll soon see why working with National Debt Relief just makes sense.

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33,000 5-star ratings and counting

Fortunately, NDR is justified in tooting its own horn, so to speak. The Better Business Bureau gives this debt relief service an "A+” rating and accreditation; most of the 100-ish complaints filed are regarding calls and messages after people submitted an initial inquiry, but all of those got a prompt, friendly response from National Debt Relief. And how could 33,000+ 5-star ratings on Trustpilot lead you astray? While some debt relief services' compliments only seem to come from people who had an initial consultation and thought it was a good conversation, NDR receives lots of enthusiastic reviews from clients who have been on a plan for a while and can speak to the effective, trustworthy nature of the debt settlement process here.

Best option for debt relief

Why settle for just combining your debts with a loan, which could mean paying for a longer time? Instead, National Debt Relief offers you the chance to really lower or even get rid of your debts completely. If you like the idea of saving money in the long run and getting out of a tough debt situation, National Debt Relief is the way to go. They've helped lots of people in similar situations, and their experts are great at getting your monthly payments lowered. This is still our #1 choice for sorting out your debt through smart negotiation on your behalf.

Who Provides the Best Debt Relief?

It's safe to say that, in today's economy, Americans are drowning in debt. From credit cards (a $6,000 balance per household, on average) to mortgages, from student loans to car payments, even unpaid income taxes and beyond, we're all feeling the pinch of inflation, the ongoing after-effects of the pandemic, and a myriad of other stresses on our wallets.

Fortunately, there's a solution. Debt relief programs can be a valuable resource for individuals struggling with overwhelming debt, providing a structured pathway to regain financial stability. Whether you're dealing with job loss, unexpected medical expenses, or simply overspending (we've all been there!), debt relief is out there.

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Debt Relief Company FAQ

Debt relief is a process that helps people get out from under their ever-mounting financial obligations. This can be accomplished through Debt Negotiation, Debt Settlement, Debt Consolidation or Repayment Plans, among other strategies.
You'll need to have a certain amount of debt to be eligible for debt relief, which varies according to which relief service you choose. Some require a minimum unsecured debt of $7500, while others specify that you need to owe at least $10,000. Also, some debt relief providers aren't licensed in all 50 states - so you may be eligible for debt relief but the service you're considering isn't available in your state.
Believe it or not, many debt relief services are free! Most providers give you a no-cost consultation, analyzing your financial situation and making recommendations tailored to your needs. But, there are some fee-based services, especially if you want someone to negotiate with creditors on your behalf.
Many of the strategies used by debt relief providers can be done on your own, yes. But, in the amount of time it would take you to get up to speed and learn what those strategies are, you could be paying hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars in interest. It's almost always a smarter financial move to have the experts do the work for you.
The first step is usually the complimentary consultation, where a representative will go over your debt situation and find out your goals, needs and timeframe. From there, it will depend on which approach you decide to take - but, for the most part, the debt relief service will be in charge of contacting your creditors and working out the details for reducing what you owe.
No two consumers are alike - and debt relief strategies vary as well. Some services offer relief through a personal loan, allowing you to pay off high-interest debt with a lower-interest arrangement, so naturally your situation will change as soon as your loan is funded and used to reduce your monthly payments. On the other hand, if your service is negotiating with your creditors to reduce or eliminate what you owe, that can take several weeks to months.
Most of the time, there isn't. A few debt relief services offer a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee, allowing you to cancel your plan without fees or penalties. Read the fine print of any contract before you sign up, so you'll know exactly what's promised - and what isn't.
Debt relief may sound too good to be true, but it's a legal, well-known method for reducing the debt burden faced by many consumers. Although some fly-by-night services pop up from time to time, most companies offering debt relief have been in business for a decade or longer. You can always check for a company's listing with the Better Business Bureau for further confirmation that it's a trustworthy option for debt relief.
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Continued from above...

Let's consider some of the ways that debt relief programs can be structured, so that you'll have an idea of which one might be best suited for your particular situation. First up is debt consolidation. This involves combining multiple debts into a single, more manageable loan with lower interest rates. It simplifies payments and may reduce the overall interest paid. Consolidation is usually accomplished through a personal loan: interest rates may be on the higher side compared with other types of borrowing, but still lower than what you're likely paying on a typical credit card balance. This type of debt relief doesn't necessarily come with any hands-on help: you apply for the loan and use it to pay down your high-interest debt, but that's about it. It might not be the best fit if you need help restructuring your finances or want advice on how to not get in over your head again in the future.

Next, you may have the opportunity to enroll in a debt management plan, or DMP. Offered by credit counseling agencies, DMPs involve negotiating with creditors to lower interest rates or waive fees. Participants make consolidated payments to the agency, which then distributes them to creditors.

A similar debt relief strategy is debt settlement, which involves negotiating with creditors to settle debts for less than the full amount owed. While this can significantly reduce debt, it may negatively impact credit scores and involve tax implications. You can attempt to do this on your own, or you can work with a service that works on your behalf.

But, there are a few things to be aware of with debt relief. Unfortunately, the industry has its share of scams targeting vulnerable individuals. Be wary of companies promising quick fixes or asking for hefty upfront fees. Always research companies thoroughly and verify their credentials. Also, enrolling in certain debt relief programs may negatively affect your credit score initially, and debt settlement in particular can have both legal implications and tax consequences. You may need to get the input of a financial advisor or attorney to make sure you understand all of the possible ramifications before you commit.

But, don't let that scare you away from debt relief as a whole. The right program can get you on the road to financial recovery, and there are plenty of trustworthy ones out there too. Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision:

  • Consultation. Many debt relief companies offer free consultations to assess your financial situation and recommend suitable solutions. Take advantage of these consultations to ask questions and clarify any doubts.
  • Services offered. Which approach does the provider take to debt relief? Are you taking out a personal loan, getting step-by-step guidance and counseling, or having your outstanding debts negotiated on your behalf?
  • Fees. Some companies may hide fees in the fine print or charge exorbitant rates for their services. Before signing any agreements, ensure you understand all fees involved and compare them across different providers.
  • Reputation. Take the time to research various debt relief options, comparing their pros and cons, and look at the overall sentiment from previous and current clients. Look for reputable companies with positive reviews and accreditations from organizations like the Better Business Bureau.

Debt relief programs can provide a lifeline if you're drowning in debt, offering strategies to regain control of your finances. However, it's crucial to approach them with caution, thoroughly researching options, watching out for red flags, and selecting reputable providers. The experts at Top Consumer Reviews have evaluated and ranked some of the most well-known options out there today, to help you embark on the journey towards a debt-free future.

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