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What is National Debt Relief? Is it Beneficial to You? – Know Everything

Paying off your debts can sometimes be a huge burden on your pocket. While people are struggling to make ends meet, creditors are hanging over their heads for debt payments. This burden can strain your financial health and can cause a budgetary crisis. This is when National Debt Relief comes into the picture. They help you lower your debt through negotiations.

In this article, we will discuss the National Debt Relief review and how this organization works. This article will resolve all your queries regarding the organization. So hold on to your notepads, and let’s get started.

National Debt Relief: An Overview

National Debt Relief

Started in 2009, National Debt Relief is a non-profit organization that focuses on people who are strained by huge debts. They help dissolve or lower your debt by negotiating with creditors. However, in order to enroll in this program, you must meet their qualifications.

National Debt Consolidation organization pursues debt negotiations, settlements, or resolutions. This means they will reach an agreement with your creditors and reduce or resolve your debt. If it is reduced, you will have to pay the remaining sum, as the rest amount will be canceled. 

This non-profit organization helps those who are burdened by huge debts and find it really difficult to pay them off. Based in New York, this highly accredited company helps settle or negotiate credit card debts, personal loans, medical debts, and other unsecured general debts. 

However, if the organization does not work for free, you will have to pay them a percentage of the debt they clear. This fee is charged for settling your debt and only after you get the results, not in advance. Moreover, even after paying the fees and remaining debt amount, you can save up to 30% to 50% after completing the process.

Although this debt settlement seems quite a good catch but has its downsides. The biggest drawback is that your credit score drops! This will hamper your future credit or loan borrowings. 

Pros and Cons

Debt consolidation loans can be way too much if you are going through a financial crisis. They will strain your pockets and while you are struggling with basic bills, the repayment will become hard to achieve. This can lead to serious and worse consequences. Therefore,  the National Debt Relief organization understands this situation and helps you out by negotiating with the creditors to lower the amount due. But before you engage with such an organization, you much know every aspect of it, especially its disadvantages. The cons will help you determine whether getting into operation with them is worth the advantages you get or not.

Pros

  • The company is established: It started out as a non-profit organization in 2009 in New York and is now operating in 42 states. They have helped more than 500,000 people. Moreover, they are accredited by The American Fair Credit Council (AFCC) and certified by the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA).
  • Free consultation: The national debt consolidation offers you to speak with a debt consultant for free. You can speak with the consultant on call and clear out all your queries and doubts regarding the organization and its operations. They will also evaluate and review your financial situation to determine whether you are an eligible candidate. 
  • No fee upfront: Unlike most debt relief institutions, this non-profit organization will not charge any fee or settlement charges upfront. You will pay only when you see the results. Basically, the fee is a percentage of the debt they settled but is not due or payable after the negotiation is completed and you have clearly seen the results. Before that, you will not have to pay a single penny. 
  • Huge savings: You can save up to 30% to 50% even after you pay all the negotiated debt amount and the fee of the organization.
  • Client Portal: The National Debt Relief believes in maintaining transparency. Therefore, you get access to their online client portal. You can use this portal to track the status of your settlement from anywhere and at all times. It will let you check your program and track your settlement.
  • Covers widespread unsecured loans: This organization covers not one, not two but several unsecured loan programs. These are to pay credit card debt, overdraft, medical bills, student loans, business and personal loans, repossessions, installment loans, and referral to debt collectors, etc. these are just a few examples, they cover a lot more.
  • Avoid bankruptcy: When you are in a financial crisis, you will find it hard to repay the debts. Therefore by involving national debt. relief into such matters, you can avoid declaring bankruptcy.

Cons

  • High fee charged: The fee is charged by 15% to 25%. Although the initial fee is okay, the closing fee is quite high, especially for those in a financial crisis. However, the fee is payable after the results but you might find the fee a little overpriced and, therefore might want to look for alternative debt relief programs.
  • No mobile application: A mobile application makes it much easier to access your account and to operate freely with more transparency. But the National Debt Relief does not have it. Although they have an online client portal, a mobile app would help you in a better way and provide easy tracking and managing.
  • Results not guaranteed: The organization does not guarantee the results. Sometimes the creditor is not willing to negotiate whatsoever. In cases where a reason is out of their control, they fail to provide the results. Therefore, there is no guarantee that they will achieve the results.
  • Damage to your credit: When you settle or negotiate your debt even through an organization, it is mentioned in your credit report. This damages your credit score. Therefore this can cause difficulties in getting loans or credits in the future because a lower score is a weaker FICO score, which will make you an unreliable candidate.

How Does National Debt Relief Work?

By far we know that they specialize in negotiating or settling your debt. But the main concern is, how do they work and operate? If you are willing to get in business with them, you must know how does National Debt Relief work? 

For starters, they will require some of your details, financial and personal both. Evaluating your financial situation, you will be presented with a debt plan personalized as per your budget.

All you have to do is make a single monthly payment into your secured savings account. The organization will reach an agreement with your creditor regarding your debt amount. After negotiating, the creditor will receive money from your secured savings account. 

You will only have to pay till you meet the agreed sum of debt; the remaining amount is canceled out. You will not have to pay a penny more to the creditors. This entire producer goes on until all the debts you asked the organization to negotiate are paid off. 

The company states that their client’s debts will be paid off in 24 to 48 months. But this can only happen if you strictly follow the repayment plan they drew towards you in the initial stage.   

In return for the services they provide, you will have to pay a percentage of the debt that they settle. Their fee range varies from 15% to 25%. This fee is drawn in your repayment plan itself and will be deposited into the secured savings account along with all the other debt deposits. 

They will help you settle the following unsecured loans:

  • Credit card debts
  • Personal or business loans
  • Collections and repossession
  • Student loans
  • Medical expenses
  • Installment unsecured loans
  • Loans from finance companies or certain banks
  • Lines of credit
  • Bank fees, going overdraft debris, and associate fee, but only if you provide a proper statement

National Debt Relief: How to Sign Up?

National Debt Relief signing up process

It is pretty clear what and how this institution works. Now we will discuss how one can enroll and qualify. Every organization needs you to qualify in order to leverage its services. This is to avoid fraudsters and to protect the organization as well. Below listed are the requirements you must meet to get your debts settled:

  • Hardship

In order to qualify, you must be able to make the creators believe that you are going through financial hardship which is not likely to end soon. You can show any proof of unforeseen bills that have caused such a situation for you. You must be facing a budgetary crisis for National Debt Consolidation to help you settle the debt. If they believe that you have the ability to repay the debts then you will not qualify. 

  • Payments

You must be several months behind in your payments. This means the repayments have not been made for several months.

  • Monthly Savings Account Payments

Since you will be provided your new repayment plan which you will have to pay in monthly payments in your secured savings account. These new monthly payments are lower than your previous loan repayments because the due amount is low altogether. Therefore you must have the ability to pay this new amount every month.

  • Debt Amount

The National Debt Relief program only caters to help those who have at least $7500 of debt. If your debt is less than that, you will fail to qualify. However, having a due amount of more than $7500 is not an issue.

How can you sign up?

If you wish to apply, here is how you can do that:

  • Application: There are two ways by which you can apply. The first is online through their website, and the other method is by calling the thor support team. For application, you will have to provide your personal details and contact information.
  • Consultation: Once you go to apply, you will arrange a call with the debt consultant who will clear all your queries and doubts regarding the organization and its operations. Moreover, they will check your financial situation and provide you a clear picture of whether the program is a fit for you or not. This will help you learn if you are going to get approved.
  • Get plans: Once you are approved by the debt coach you can move further. A personalized repayment debt relief plan will be designed according to your financial situation. This plan will fit your situation perfectly and will not strain your pocket. You can review this plan and if any changes are needed, you can ask for them. If the changes are legit, they will do so.
  • Start saving: Once you review your plan, you will then start with your monthly repayment. These will be much lower than those you used to pay, and you will have to pay them into a secured savings account in your name.

Is National Debt Relief Legit?

National Debt Relief is Legit

When you hear about this organization, the very first question that pops right into your head is: Is National Debt Relief legit? The straightforward answer to this is, YES! They started operations in 2009 in the state of New York. Now they have expanded their operations in 42 states all over the U.S., moreover, being a member of the American Fair Credit Council (AFCC). AFCC ensures that all its members follow a strict code of conduct and stick to all the guidelines. It is AFCC only that states the “no advance fee policy,” which the organization follows strictly.

Moreover, they have a record of helping more than 500,000 people in settling and lowering their debt. They are also certified by the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA) which provides certification only to those who can provide debt settlement services. Along with this, they currently hold an A+ rating altogether. 

Adding on to that, their systemized way of operation and the legal requirements just prove that National Debt Consolidation is pretty legit. 

National Debt Relief- Customer Review

Being a debt relief company, they know all the guidelines properly, which gives them leverage to provide top-notch and legit services. In order to clear out your initial queries while applying, you can talk to the debt coach who will help you through every doubt. Adding on to that, if you have other queries you can contact the support team. The ways of contact are through email or call. The team will be available from:

  • Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to midnight eastern time. 
  • Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET.
  • Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

They do not offer any mobile application but you can access the client portal that will help you manage, track and view the status of your settlement and your account altogether. 

They have been accredited by Better Business Bureau since 2013 and hold an A+ rating there. Moreover, on Trustpilot, the National Debt Relief review has scored an excellent rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. This Trustpilot rating is based on more than 36000 customer reviews out of which they have around 21000 five-star ratings. 

They also cater to the National Debt Relief reviews the customer gives and therefore closed around 256 Better Business Bureau complaints in the previous three years.

Other Ways to Get Rid of Debt

While many customers have given a positive review, there is a handful of clients who prefer some alternatives like:

  • Use 401k to pay off debt

This is a program sponsored by employers. In the 401K program, the employer and the employee will discuss and decide a percentage of their paycheck that is to be deposited into the creditor’s account directly.

  • Debt management plan

If you have a steady income you can consult a nonprofit credit counseling agency that will consolidate all your monthly repayments into one monthly payment. This fits best for credit card debts.

  • Bankruptcy 

If you declare bankruptcy, officially then all your debts can be resolved from the federal court. However, this will badly affect your credit score, history, and report. Moreover, you will find it very difficult to get loans in the future.

  • Other debt relief organizations

If National Debt Relief is not suitable enough for you, you can check out other debt relief organizations like Freedom Debt Relief and CuraDebt. You can research whether the services they provide are better suitable than this. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the downside to debt relief?

  • Your credit score will have a negative impact because of late payments and outstanding debts.
  • Debt relief programs do not guarantee that creditors will negotiate, therefore your creditors might still contact you.
  • You can get sued by your creditors.
  • In case the debt relief fails to make the negotiation, because of the outstanding balance and late payments, you will get stuck with a much higher amount.
  • If debts more than $600 are forgiven, they will be counted as your income. Therefore your creditor might send form 1099-C to you and the IRS and you will then have to pay tax on that forgiven debt.

Q2: What happens if I cancel National Debt Relief?

You can cancel the National Debt Relief if you did not see the results expected or appropriate results. The cancellation will not be charged with any fee or penalties. However, due to late payments and outstanding debt repayments, your debt due would now be much higher than usual. This is because late payment fees and other penalties will be applied by the creditor.

Q3: How to cancel a National Debt Relief contract?

  • Look for the Notice of Cancellation form. You can find it in Your Debt Relief Agreement.
  • Sign in and add the date.
  • Now you can either Fax it, email it or call the office to follow up on the cancellation.

Q4: How much does National Debt Relief charge?

The national debt. relief charges a percentage of the entire debt settlement amount. This percentage range varies from 15% to 25% depending on the amount of settlement. However, they will not charge any fee upfront. You only have to pay the fee after seeing the results.

Conclusion

National Debt Relief is an organization that negotiates with your creditors to dissolve or lower your debt amount in case you are facing a financial crisis. However, in order to qualify for their services you need to meet the requirements they set. Moreover, you must know that engaging with a negotiation plan with debt relief organizations will negatively affect your credit score. This will make it difficult for you to get credit or loans in the future as you will become a reliable candidate due to weak credit reports and scores. 

With this, we come toward the end of the National Debt Relief review. We hope you were able to get a clearer picture of this organization and its way of working. If you wish to enroll, this informative review will help you make an informed decision.

Author Profile

Jennifer Garcia
Jennifer Garcia is an expert in the field of credit cards and related services. She has written extensively on a broad range of topics related to credit cards, including different types of offers and benefits, how to compare and choose the best cards for individual needs, and strategies for finding ways to use credit more effectively. She has been an invited speaker at conferences around the world to discuss her research into financial products. Her knowledge of the credit card landscape is unparalleled, with a deep understanding of how each offer or product works in relation to the rest of the industry. Jennifer’s work provides invaluable insight into how to make the most out of any credit product.

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