National Debt Relief Review for 2024
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Debt. For many Americans, just hearing or seeing this word generates a lot of stress and anxiety. It’s one of the main concerns of cash-strapped people under the weight of financial problems. And these strange economic times don’t seem to help either.
National Debt Relief is here to help you resolve your financial crisis and get you back on your feet.
Service fee: 15%-25% of enrolled debt
Fortunly Rating
Fortunly's Rating: Our editorial team determines the rating based on a set of evaluation criteria developed for each product and service category.
Strengths
- Applies to major types of debt and loans
- Easy-to-use system
- Saves you time and effort
- Consolidate several debts into one monthly payment
Weaknesses
- Mortgages, utility bills, home loans, and federal student loans are not eligible
National Debt Relief Overview
National Debt Relief is an accredited debt settlement company that provides nationwide debt reduction services. It’s been duly accredited by the Better Business Bureau since 2013. The company is also a member of the American Fair Credit Council and the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators.
How Does National Debt Relief Work?
National Debt Relief works the following way: Once you apply for the service and get approved, it extends an offer to you with the steps to be taken, terms, and costs. Once you agree, you stop paying your creditors and you stop communicating with them, and the company handles negotiations for a more realistic, lower debt settlement.
Meanwhile, you need to collect enough money and deposit it into an escrow account. It will be under your control and used with your permission to fund the settlement. After the negotiations with the creditors, National Debt Relief informs you of the results of the debt settlement process, and your escrow account is then charged.
An applicant must have a monthly payment available for this escrow account to be discussed upon application. No extra fees apply. The minimum debt requirement is $7,500.
In addition to that, National Debt Relief requires applicants to be in a state of financial hardship. This means you have to be several months late on your payments and going through a financial crisis.
This is important because if you’ve recently lost your job, had a medical emergency, or are going through a divorce, this will be a sign to your creditors that you really are unable to repay them in full. From there, it will be easier to negotiate a settlement offer since, for the creditors, a partial payoff is still better than no payoff at all.
National Debt Relief Services
Depending on debt type and your financial situation, the company offers a range of services.
Debt Relief
The National Debt Relief program aims to help Americans who are currently in debt and have difficulties repaying it. The company becomes a negotiator on their behalf and attempts to reduce the debt amount. Clients get a chance to make the payments they can afford and finally pay off their debt.
Credit Card Debt Relief
With all the high interest rates and fees, card debt freedom usually comes at a higher price. National Debt Relief accepts debts from major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and others. It negotiates with the card companies for a more favorable payment scheme for its clients.
Debt Consolidation
This option gives you the opportunity to replace multiple creditors with just one and pay off your debt more easily by making a single monthly installment with a lower interest rate.
Debt Relief Coverage
National Debt Relief covers the following types of unsecured debt:
- Major credit card debts
- Debts on department store cards
- Gas cards
- Unpaid bank loans
- Unpaid loan installments
- Unsecured personal loans
- Repossession balances
- Unsecured business debts (closed businesses)
- Bank, overdraft, and associated fees
- Cell phone debt
- Credit union debt (non-federal or military)
- Veterinarian expenses above $500
- Abandoned timeshare properties
- Judgments (less than six months)
- Back rent at a previous residence
- Private student loans
As you can see, the National Debt Relief program is quite extensive. The majority of these debts are unsecured debts that may have high interest rates, penalties, and other fees attached to them. An added headache is when a credit collection agency gets involved.
Financial Education and Advice
In addition to providing debt relief, the company tries to educate its clients by offering specific advice and credit counseling.
The idea is that clients learn from their experiences of dealing with debt to avoid future repeats and possible steep fees that will cost them even more time and money. Insightful financial guides and articles are available on the company’s portal. These guides may help you achieve financial stability.
The online client portal also features a blog with financial insights and articles on fund and debt management, taxes, loans, emergency funds, and savings resources.
National Debt Relief Calculators
On the company’s website, you’ll also find a number of financial calculators you can use to analyze your unique financial situation and needs.
The available calculators include the Accelerated Debt Payoff calculator, Consolidation Loan Investment, Cost of Debt, Credit Card Minimum Payment, Credit Card Optimizer, Credit Card Payoff, Home Equity Debt Consolidation, How Much Do You Owe, Personal Debt Consolidation, and Roll Down Your Credit Card Debt calculators.
National Debt Relief Coverage Limitations
Specific debts with preexisting conditions are not covered by the program, namely:
- Secured debts
- Unpaid utility bills
- Current house rent
- Mortgages
- Home loans
- Auto loans
- Government loans
- Unpaid IRS debt
- Taxes
- Child support
- Speeding tickets
- Gambling debts
- Bail
- Insurance
- Warranty contracts
- Lawsuits
Most of these are nondischargeable debts tied to certain regulations, laws, and legal issues that prevent them from being eligible for debt settlement.
National Debt Relief Pricing
To get the exact price, you will have to fill out the online form or contact the company’s representatives. However, we can tell you that there are no upfront fees and that the amount you’ll have to pay for this service depends on the amount of debt. Typically, you’ll pay 15% to 25% after the debt is settled.
Company Reputation
National Debt Relief is a legitimate debt settlement company and an accredited member of the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators and the American Fair Credit Counsel. It’s one of the largest debt settlement companies in the US market, which has helped thousands of debt-ridden Americans settle their debts and move on with their lives.
Moreover, the company has been receiving praise and high marks from its users. It has a proven track record and some competitive industry performance reviews to boast about.
The Better Business Bureau's page for National Debt Relief displays a collection of customer interactions with the company. The vast majority of these are positive and highlight the exceptional customer service and understanding of the clients’ financial situation.
All complaint cases are marked closed: Another vital customer service metric that shows the company’s commitment to resolving all issues its users may encounter.
The National Debt Relief BBB review gives the company an A+ rating and a strong 4.74/5 score.
On Trustpilot, National Debt Relief’s score is 4.7/5, based on more than 40,519 customer reviews. Such a high score indicates that, as long as it’s within your budget, enrolling in its debt settlement program makes sense.
Customer reviews are also full of positive customer comments regarding the company’s knowledgeable, kind, and efficient customer support representatives. If you wish to contact its debt relief experts, you can write them an email or call them Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to midnight EST, or on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST.
Debt Settlement Pros and Cons
Should you opt for debt relief? Joining a debt settlement program comes with fees of its own, which should be taken into consideration when weighing in on the pros and cons of debt relief.
Another substantial disadvantage is a hit on your credit score, as availing yourself of the services of a debt relief company and having your debt settled instead of paid in full will certainly show up on your credit report.
Debt settlement can also be a bad idea for clients who can’t follow the program and regularly pay the monthly installments.
The pros, on the other hand, include a lower settlement amount, the avoidance of further (and possibly legal) creditors’ action, and more time to pay off (a lowered version) of the debt.
How Does National Debt Relief Compare to Other Debt Relief Companies?
15% - 25%
$7,500
18%-25% of original debt
$7,500
20% of total debt
$5,000
Your Way Out of Debt?
Time is essential when dealing with debt, especially expensive ones from credit cards and certain loans. A debt settlement program may be your best option before the situation worsens. We advise you to get a free consultation and check if National Debt Relief’s program fits your budget and if it can end your debt situation on favorable terms.
Further Reading
Explore options for getting out of debt:
FAQ
Is National Debt Relief legit?
Yes. As we pointed out, the company is a member of the American Fair Credit Council and the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators. Additionally, the company’s BBB rating is an A+.
Does National Debt Relief ruin your credit?
Adverse effects on your credit score are probable but temporary. Your credit score will drop when National Debt Relief takes over your debt case. At this point, you will stop dealing with the creditors and other parties involved in your debt. Payments will halt momentarily as negotiations are carried out. This results in a bad credit score.
Most other debt settlement programs will have the same effect on your score. What’s important is that once the debt is settled, your credit score will improve.
Does National Debt Relief charge a fee?
While government debt relief programs may have lower or even zero fees depending on the situation, National Debt Relief charges percentage fees after the debt issues are resolved. These fees are disclosed and agreed upon at the initial signing of the agreement.
National Debt Relief claims that clients who complete the program realize approximate savings of 50% before fees and 30% after the deduction of the fees. That means the average fee amounts to 20% of your debt, even though it can be as low as 15% and as high as 25%.