What's the difference between Freedom Debt Relief and national debt relief? (2024)

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, Freedom Debt Relief charges its fee based on the initial amount of that debt, whereas National Debt Relief charges based on the amount of settled debt.

What is the best debt relief program out there?

National Debt Relief is the best overall debt settlement company, according to our research. National Debt Relief's low-cost fee structure and referral service make it a top option for people struggling with debts. Our highest-rated debt settlement companies all charge similar fees, ranging from 15% to 25% of the debt.

Is national debt relief the same as accredited debt relief?

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.

What is the downside of Freedom Debt Relief?

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.

What is the disadvantage of national debt relief?

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.

Is freedom or national debt relief better?

National Debt Relief is a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited business with an A+ rating. Its average customer satisfaction rating is 4.73 out of 5. Freedom Debt Relief is also a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating. Its average customer satisfaction rating is 4.56 out of 5 (both as of Mar.

Is Freedom Debt Relief worth it?

Is Freedom Debt Relief legit and can you get away with paying only a percentage of your debts just like that? FDR is a real company and its debt settlement program can save you real money. The catch is your credit report will catch fire. At least that's what it'll look like from a lender's point of view.

What is the best debt relief company to work with?

Does the government have a debt relief program?

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.

Who is the most reputable debt consolidation company?

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.

What happens to my credit if I use Freedom Debt Relief?

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.

What happens when you use Freedom Debt Relief?

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.

Can you trust national debt relief?

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).

Is national debt relief risky?

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.

Does national debt relief affect tax return?

In general, if your debt is canceled, forgiven, or discharged for less than the amount owed, the amount of the canceled debt is taxable. If taxable, you must report the canceled debt on your tax return for the year in which the cancellation occurred.

Can you skip a payment with Freedom Debt Relief?

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.

Does debt relief destroy your credit?

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.

What's the worst a debt collector can do?

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.

How to pay off $10,000 credit card debt?

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.

How to wipe credit card debt?

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.

How to stop paying credit cards legally?

If you want to know how to stop paying credit cards legally, that could be tackled with debt settlement programs or filing for bankruptcy. Some of these options can help you get much-needed temporary financial relief. Still, there are drawbacks to consider, including the risk of being sued or selling assets.

Are debt relief companies good to use?

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.

Why is it hard to get approved for debt consolidation?

Lenders might not advertise it, but most of them have a minimum credit score required to get a loan. If your score is less than 670, you might be out of luck for a debt consolidation loan. Even if you're over 670, a problematic debt-to-income ratio (more on that below) or payment history could derail your loan.