Top FAQs About The National Debt Relief Program
National Debt Relief is one of the country’s largest and most reputable debt relief companies. We’re proud to have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) – and thousands of positive client reviews. We’ve earned our excellent reputation by negotiating with creditors on behalf of a multitude of clients to settle their outstanding debts. By graduating from our program, many of our clients experience the financial independence they never thought they’d find. To help you gain a better understanding of what to expect, take a look at answers to some of our more commonly asked questions.


We charge no fees until you approve the resolution agreement and your debts are settled. There are no sign-up fees, no cancellation fees, and there’s absolutely no obligation – you’re in control. Once debts are settled, the average client usually pays a fee of 15-25% of the total debt enrolled as part of their monthly payment. And if we can’t settle your accounts, you don’t pay us. It’s that simple.
Depending on your personal situation, you may see your credit rating decline during the initial part of the debt relief process, but it should begin to rise as your debts are paid off. Many of our clients graduate within 24-48 months with a credit score that’s fully recovered or improved.
On the other hand, if you wipe out credit card debt through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, that information will stay on your credit report for years to come. In a Chapter 7 case, the information will appear on your credit report for 10 years. For Chapter 13, it’s seven years. As long as a bankruptcy remains on your credit report, it will negatively affect your credit score.
Debt relief reduces your balance. 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. This typically requires a higher credit score for approval.
Even though a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach might be a good option for home renovation projects and other hobbies, you shouldn’t take any risks with your debt repayment plan. Your financial situation has a long-lasting impact on your lifestyle and peace of mind. At National Debt Relief, we take care of every detail of debt negotiations – helping you overcome the most significant roadblocks that are standing in the way of your financial independence. We have established relationships with over 10,000 creditors and our average negotiation rate is 50%, meaning we usually save you 50% on your debts (excluding fees). Our negotiators know exactly what to say to help each company look for solutions that support your needs — and how much you can expect to save with each creditor. We won’t stop until we’ve reached the best deal possible.
It depends on how quickly you can build up your funds and save for the settlement offers. The faster you save, the quicker you get out of debt. It typically takes between 24-48 months with our program. By contrast, if you only make the minimum payments on your credit cards, you could be in debt for the next 10-20 years and pay back 2x, 3x, or even 4x as much as you originally borrowed.
There is a slight possibility that a creditor might sue you. But, lawsuits are expensive and creditors try to avoid them. We aim to complete the program as quickly as possible to avoid any lawsuits.
No, you won’t be able to use your credit cards that are enrolled in the program. Plus, creditors will usually close your accounts after you’ve missed a few payments. Your debt expert will help you decide the best plan of action based on your current financial situation.
That depends. Your creditors will issue you a 1099-C form for any debt forgiven over $600. The forgiven debt counts as income. But, if you are insolvent (you have more liabilities than assets) at the time we settle with your creditors, you may not have to pay any taxes on the forgiven debt.
“A taxpayer is insolvent when his or her total liabilities exceed his or her total assets. The forgiven debt may be excluded as income under the ‘insolvency’ exclusion. Normally, a taxpayer is not required to include forgiven debts in income to the extent that the taxpayer is insolvent.” – IRS.gov
It’s best to speak with a CPA or tax professional for help with this.
Since 2009, we’ve successfully helped hundreds of thousands of people get out of debt. We are one of the country’s largest debt relief companies and pride ourselves on our accreditations which include:
- A+ rating with the BBB
- Over 75,000 five-star reviews of the National Debt Relief program across top review sites
- A team of debt arbitrators certified through the IAPDA (International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators)
Yes! In following the requirements of federal law, we do not complete a settlement unless you approve it. Moreover, we do not collect a fee associated with our efforts to settle a particular debt until you have approved that settlement and made at least one payment. If we can’t settle your debt or if you’re not satisfied up to the point of us settling your debts — for any reason — you can cancel anytime without any penalties or fees other than any fees earned associated with prior settled debts. That’s right! We get results or you don’t pay.
National Debt Relief’s program is a great choice for people with high levels of unsecured debt who are struggling with financial hardship, like a divorce or job loss. If you’re barely keeping up with your minimum payments and the balances on your accounts keep growing, then our program may be right for you. Why fight a losing battle against rising debt, when our debt relief services can help?
Bankruptcy is generally seen as a last resort and can come with harsh consequences. It will have the most significant impact on your credit score for up to 10 years, which means it will take a long time to recover. You can be denied employment, state licenses, insurance – even tenancy of an apartment. Plus, there’s a risk that major assets could be seized, causing you to lose personal property. If you choose bankruptcy, you’ll have limited access to financing for years – and unfavorable payment terms if you are able to get a loan.
Debt relief is the process of negotiating outstanding debts, using a combination of debt forgiveness and a reasonable payment plan to help you get on top again. Our program can help you realize a significant reduction in the amount you owe, have a lower monthly payment, and get you out of debt within 24-48 months, in most cases. You’ll also avoid bankruptcy, collections calls and debt harassment. And while our program could have a negative impact on your credit initially, it’s usually a short-term issue. In most cases, your credit will start improving as soon as you begin settling your debts with your creditors.
You’ll need to make a conscious decision to stop monthly payments to your creditors, since they won’t negotiate a reduced principal balance if you’re current. This helps establish a legitimate financial hardship for the creditors, giving you the opportunity to participate in this savings program.
Your money will be held in an FDIC-insured trust account. The account will be opened in your name, and you’ll have ultimate control over its funds. The money saved gets disbursed only at the time an agreement is reached with the creditor and you approve the settlement offer.
National Debt Relief programs can save you, in the words of former client Michael D., “thousands upon thousands” of dollars! After all, settling your debt means that the interest and fees you’re currently incurring on credit cards and other debts each month will stop accumulating. That will free up hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars for you to use to pay other bills, purchase a home, or prepare for retirement. And, the fees we charge clients for our program are more than reasonable. Clients who stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 50% before fees, or 30% including our fees.
Yes! If you’re living paycheck-to-paycheck, carrying high balances on your credit cards, and struggling to make the minimum payments, you’re dealing with unnecessary stress that can affect both you and those close to you. When you enroll in our program, not only will we negotiate down your debt and help you get on top of your finances, but you’ll also find yourself free of the stress, guilt, and worry that comes with overwhelming debt. That means you’ll have time to focus on what really matters: family, career, and enjoying life to the fullest.
We cover most unsecured debt* and negotiate with major credit card issuers and banks every day to reduce debts. Some of the debts that we can help you settle include:
- Credit Cards
- Personal Loans
- Lines of Credit
- Medical Bills
- Collections
- Repossessions
- Business Debts
- Certain Student Debts
*Unsecured debt is any debt that isn’t tied to an asset like a home or automobile. It creates fewer problems for consumers because they don’t stand to lose an asset if they don’t repay the debt. If you fall behind on payments for unsecured debts, your lenders have no claim on your property and can’t repossess items or foreclose on your home. But, they can file a lawsuit against you.
If you’re unsure about whether your debt would qualify, feel free to call us or visit our debt qualifications page.