What's the difference between Freedom Debt Relief and national debt relief?
FDR and NDR charge a similar range of fees, with an important difference—if you reach a settlement for a particular debt,
Minimum Debt Required: $10,000
Accredited Debt Relief has a higher debt minimum than National Debt Relief, $10,000 compared to $7,500, so it's only a contender if you have at least that much debt. It's not available in every state. And it tends to charge a higher fee than NDR, usually 25% of the settled debt.
| Debt Relief Companies | Best for |
|---|---|
| Featured partner National Debt Relief | Best for credit card debt |
| Money Management International | Best overall |
| Accredited Debt Relief | Best for customized options |
| Americor Debt Relief | Best for all unsecured debt types |
How Will Freedom Debt Relief Affect My Credit? Debt relief can negatively affect credit scores because creditors typically aren't willing to negotiate until you're behind on payments. Payment history carries the most weight for FICO score calculations, so if you're paying late or not at all, your score can take a hit.
The drawback is that the fees for debt settlement can be relatively hefty. On average, fees are between 15% and 25% of the total debt enrolled. So, if your enrolled debt is $8,000, you may pay between $1,200 and $2,000 in fees.
Freedom Debt Relief is accredited by the American Fair Credit Council and the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau received 120 complaints in 2022 about Freedom Debt Relief.
- Accredited Debt Relief: Best for fast debt payoff.
- National Debt Relief: Best for customer satisfaction.
- New Era Debt Solutions: Best for large debts.
- Freedom Debt Relief: Best for tracking progress.
- CuraDebt: Best for smaller debts.
- Liberty Debt Relief: Best for private student loans.
Debt management plans themselves do not affect your credit scores, but closing accounts can hurt your scores. Once you've completed the plan, you can apply for credit again. Missing payments can knock you out of the plan, though.
- 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.
Most credit card companies won't provide forgiveness for all of your credit card debt. But they will occasionally accept a smaller amount to settle the balance due and forgive the rest. Or the credit card company might write off your debt.
How long does Freedom Debt Relief ruin your credit?
Paying off your debt in this way might seem more important, but the damage to your credit score can last for years. Settled debts also stay on your credit report for up to seven years and impact your future access to credit.
According to data from Freedom Debt Relief, your credit score is likely to drop substantially during the first few months of your debt relief program. But after that first six months, credit scores trend higher.
Freedom Debt Relief remits payments to creditors from the dedicated account with your permission whenever a settlement offer is reached. This means you'll be one step closer to financial freedom as you no longer owe on these accounts.
National Debt Relief is a legitimate company providing debt relief services. The company was founded in 2009 and is a member of the American Association for Debt Resolution (AADR).
Working with any debt settlement company, including National Debt Relief, poses some risks. Many creditors refuse to negotiate with debt settlement companies, so the company may not be successful in reducing your debt.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a government-sponsored program for credit card debt relief. In fact, if you receive a solicitation that touts a government program to get you out of debt, you may want to think twice about working with that company.
Snapshot: 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.
Debt relief qualifications
This means debt like credit cards, unsecured personal loans and medical bills. Debt that is secured such as a mortgage or an auto loan is not eligible. To qualify for the program, you should have at least $7,500 of unsecured debt.
Forbearance is a practice that allows you to skip your debt payments for a set period. It's not just for credit cards. Other loans might also have forbearance programs. Student loans, mortgages, personal loans, and auto loans can be deferred through forbearance programs.
The worst thing they can do
If you fail to pay it off, the collection agency could file a suit. If you were to fail to show up for your court date, the debt collector could get a summary judgment. If you make an appearance, the collector might still get a judgment.
What is the national debt relief program?
Your debt is negotiated down, and you pay less than you owe. The creditor forgives the remaining balance in a transaction called a settlement. Debt consolidation combines all of your debt into one loan with a single monthly payment, often at a reduced rate of interest.
Meeting with a credit counselor or financial advisor can help you understand all your options for getting out of debt. Professional advisors can guide you through the best strategies for your particular situation. A credit counselor may also provide support when you meet with your creditors.
Yes, you can buy a home after debt settlement. You'll just have to meet the lender's requirements to qualify for a mortgage. Unfortunately, that could be harder after you settle debt.
Yes, auto loan lenders don't exclude those who have gone through bankruptcy. However, you'll pay higher interest rates if you finance the vehicle after receiving a bankruptcy discharge.
Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy wipes out unsecured debt such as credit cards, while Chapter 13 bankruptcy lets you restructure debts into a payment plan over 3 to 5 years and may be best if you have assets you want to retain.
