Does freedom debt relief really work?
Freedom Debt Relief is a legitimate company. It is BBB-accredited and is rated A+. It is also a founding member of the American Fair Credit Counsel (AFCC) and a member of the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators.
Freedom Debt Relief is a legitimate company. It is BBB-accredited and is rated A+. It is also a founding member of the American Fair Credit Counsel (AFCC) and a member of the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators.
If you're one of the millions of Americans struggling to repay high-interest debt, a debt relief plan may be an option to help you get your finances on track. But it's not a quick fix. It's a long-term solution designed to help you get out of debt over a period of time — typically several years.
Working with a debt management company can result in less debt or a faster payoff — but there are often hefty fees, often up to 25 percent of the debt enrolled, attached to the services. Working with a debt relief company often results in credit damage.
Debt relief services may have a negative impact on your credit score, but that impact may not be as big as you think — and in some cases, it can help your credit. How these services impact your credit depends on the debt relief option you choose.
Type of Debt Relief – Debt Settlement. Eligibility & Requirements – Minimum amount of $7,500 in unsecured debt. Fees – 18%-25% of enrolled debt, plus $9.95 monthly service fee. Credit score impact – Stains credit report for 7 years.
| Debt Settlement | DMP Enrollment Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom Debt Relief Also Great for Customer Satisfaction and Reputation | Yes | N/A |
| Money Management International Best for Small Debts | Yes | $0–$75 |
| Pacific Debt Relief Also Great for Low Fees | Yes | N/A |
| Apprisen Best Overall for Credit Counseling | No | $0–$45 |
Cons of debt settlement
Creditors are not legally required to settle for less than you owe. Stopping payments on your bills (as most debt relief companies suggest) will damage your credit score. Debt settlement companies can charge fees. If over $600 is settled, the IRS will view this debt as a taxable income.
Working with a debt settlement company may lead to a creditor filing a debt collection lawsuit against you. Unless the debt settlement company settles all or most of your debts, the built-up penalties and fees on the unsettled debts may wipe out any savings the debt settlement company achieves on the debts it settles.
Your debt relief order will appear on your credit file for six years. This may affect your ability to get credit in the future. You can't promote, manage, or set up a limited company, without permission from court. Also, you can't act as a company director, without getting permission from court.
Can I still use my credit card after debt settlement?
Consolidating credit cards means you move all of your debt to one account, which resets your credit limits. Once your credit card balance is zero, you can still use it as long as you don't close the account. But if having it open will tempt you to rack up more charges, then closing it may be beneficial.
- Opt for debt relief. One powerful approach to managing and reducing your credit card debt is with the help of debt relief companies. ...
- Use the snowball or avalanche method. ...
- Find ways to increase your income. ...
- Cut unnecessary expenses. ...
- Seek credit counseling. ...
- Use financial windfalls.
Though a debt consolidation loan is a great choice for some, you also have other options. Creating a debt management plan, taking advantage of a credit card balance transfer or overhauling your budget are other ways to consolidate your debt with minimal hurt to your credit.
If you can afford to pay off a debt, it is generally a much better solution than settling because your credit score will improve, not decline.
A reputable credit counseling organization can give you advice on managing your money and debts, help you develop a budget, offer you free educational materials and workshops, and help you make a plan to repay your debt.
You can hire a debt settlement company who will negotiate with your creditor for a fee, or you can cut out the middleman and do it yourself. Debt settlement is commonly used when the borrower can no longer afford the high interest on credit card debt, coupled with the amount owed.
While debt settlement can potentially help you save a significant amount of money, the associated costs should not be overlooked. These fees will typically range from 15% to 25% of the total enrolled debt — but can also vary based on the company you choose to work with.
Skeptics of student loan forgiveness also argue that forgiving debt may cause a moral hazard for future borrowers, who may expect their debt to be forgiven, while also incentivizing higher education institutions to further increase prices without repercussions from consumers (see Cooper 2019).
Bank accounts
After a DRO has been approved, your bank may stop letting you use your current bank account. If this happens, speak to your debt adviser to find out what options are available. Your debt adviser may be able to help you set up a new bank account which is not related to any of your debts.
Most negative information generally stays on credit reports for 7 years. Bankruptcy stays on your Equifax credit report for 7 to 10 years, depending on the bankruptcy type.
How long does debt stay on credit report?
However, a debt settlement does not mean that your life needs to stop. You can begin rebuilding your credit score little by little. Your credit score will usually take between 6-24 months to improve. It depends on how poor your credit score is after debt settlement.
Walking away from your debt, also known as defaulting, could seem like your best option if you're struggling to keep up with bills. However, walking away from debt won't solve all of your problems; the lender can still try to sue you for the remaining amount or sell the loan to a collection agency.
After seven years, unpaid credit card debt falls off your credit report. The debt doesn't vanish completely, but it'll no longer impact your credit score.
A debt settlement company negotiates with your creditors. Often, it will require you to stop paying your creditors and make payments into a savings account. It will then use your money to pay your debt and collect the fees you owe. You may fall further behind on payments, and your credit score could plummet.
