National Debt Relief is headquartered in New York and has been operating since 2009. It’s one of the country’s largest debt relief companies and has successfully helped more than 400,000 people get out of debt. National Debt Relief assists with many types of unsecured debt, including credit cards, medical bills and some student loans.
BBB RatingA+
year established2009
Best Features
National Debt Relief charges no upfront fees.
Free consultations are offered.
Many types of debt qualify for help.
Drawbacks
Only unsecured debts are eligible for debt settlement.
Settling debt will likely have a negative impact on your credit score.
You must be behind on your debt to qualify.
Related Categories
What Can National Debt Relief Be Used for?
National Debt Relief is a debt settlement company that works with borrowers who are significantly behind on payments. This company negotiates with major credit card issuers and banks to reduce most types of unsecured debt, including:
- Credit cards.
- Personal loans.
- Lines of credit.
- Medical bills.
- Collections.
- Repossessions.
- Business debts.
- Certain student debts.
National Debt Relief doesn't offer settlement services for mortgages, car loans, child support payments, back taxes, speeding tickets and court fines, gambling debts, insufficient funds fees, car repair bills, rent-to-own bills, bail bonds, check-cashing company loans, insurance policies or warranty contracts. Private and federal student loans are settled on a case-by-case basis.
How Does National Debt Relief Work?
National Debt Relief negotiates with creditors on your behalf. Start by calling for a free consultation, during which you'll explain your situation and learn about potential debt relief options. A representative then creates a customized, affordable plan in which you fund an account from which settlements will be paid.
Once you are enrolled, negotiators reach out to the creditors to start making settlement offers for less than what the customer owes. Once a settlement is reached, payment is made to the creditor, and National Debt Relief moves on to the next creditor until all of the client's eligible debts have been settled. Many customers are able to pay a fraction of the total amount owed and eliminate their debt in 24 to 48 months.
What Are the Product's Terms, Fees and Conditions?
National Debt Relief does not charge any fees until you approve of the settlement agreement and your debts are settled. There are also no fees for signing up or cancellation.
If and when your debts are settled, the average client pays a fee of 15% to 25% of the total debt enrolled as part of your monthly payment. If your accounts aren't settled, you don't pay anything.
How Can You Qualify for National Debt Relief Debt Settlement?
National Debt Relief helps people with $10,000 or more in unsecured debt, and who are most likely suffering a financial hardship and behind on payments. You must be able to make a monthly payment to a fund that is used to settle your debt.
The company notes that not all clients complete the program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds.
What Is the Impact on Your Credit Score?
Depending on your situation, enrolling in a debt settlement program could impact your credit score negatively. You may have already missed several payments to your creditors, and you may be required to withhold payment to creditors while in the program – and missing payments has a negative impact on your credit score.
National Debt Relief does not provide credit repair services or advice regarding improving your credit. However, the goal is to ultimately become debt free and settle all of your accounts, so once that process is completed, you can begin restoring and rebuilding your credit.
Where Does National Debt Relief Operate?
National Debt Relief is headquartered in New York City. Due to varying state regulations, National Debt Relief does not provide services in all states.
Is National Debt Relief Reputable?
National Debt Relief has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau since 2013 and has an A+ rating. On Trustpilot, National Debt Relief has an excellent rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, based on nearly 36,000 reviews. It is also accredited by the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators.
In 2021, the company was ordered to pay a civil penalty of $5,000 to Minnesota for violating state statutes concerning debt settlement services.
How Is National Debt Relief's Customer Service?
You can contact a National Debt Relief customer service representative by calling 888-668-1377. Customer service operates during the following hours:
- Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to midnight Eastern Time.
- Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET.
- Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
What Are Some of National Debt Relief's Online Features?
Once you enroll by phone, National Debt Relief customers can manage their accounts online. That includes viewing payment distributions and balances for debts enrolled in the program. An online portal allows clients to keep track of where their payments are going and how quickly they are progressing in paying off debt.
National Debt Relief Is Best for:
- People who have a large amount of unsecured debt.
- People who need help negotiating with creditors.
- People who are able to save the required amount each month.
FAQs
Is National Debt Relief Legitimate?
National Debt Relief is a legitimate debt settlement company. It has a team of debt arbitrators who are certified through the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators.
Debt settlement is not an ideal solution but often a last resort for those who have exhausted all other options and who want to avoid bankruptcy. Additionally, scams can happen in debt settlement, so it's good to be skeptical. National Debt Relief is also a member of the American Fair Credit Council, whose members promise to follow a code of conduct in the industry.