Is Freedom Debt Relief legit? (2024)

Is Freedom Debt Relief legit?

Freedom Debt Relief is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has an A+ rating. according to the organization. Based on customer reviews, the company earns 4.3 out of 5 stars. There were 359 total customer complaints lodged in the past three years, with 105 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

Can Freedom Debt Relief be trusted?

Freedom Debt Relief is a legitimate company. It is BBB-accredited and is rated A+. It is also a founding member of the American Fair Credit Counsel (AFCC) and a member of the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators.

Will Freedom Debt Relief ruin my credit?

It helps debtors manage their debt burden and negotiates with creditors on their behalf. Will likely hurt your credit score: Like with any debt settlement company, working with Freedom Debt Relief will typically make your credit score drop at first. Depending on your situation, it could be a significant tumble.

Do you have to pay back Freedom Debt Relief?

Negotiations can drag on for months or even years, and if you don't settle, you'll have to pay back all the interest and late fees that piled up during this time. If you do settle, you will make regular payments to Freedom Debt Relief until all your accounts are cleared. This usually takes between 24 to 48 months.

Is it a good idea to get debt relief?

Debt relief may be worth considering for those who struggle to manage their debt payments. "Debt relief is often worth it if a borrower has more debt than they can afford to pay back within a reasonable time frame," says Leslie Tayne, a debt relief attorney in New York.

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.

Is there really a government debt relief program?

You may be eligible to enroll in a debt plan with National Debt Relief if you have at least $10,000 in debt. Eligible debts include credit card balances, medical bills, personal loans, lines of credit and certain types of business or student debt.

Why is debt relief bad?

Warning: There could be tax consequences for debt forgiveness. If a portion of your debt is forgiven by the creditor, it could be counted as taxable income on your federal income taxes. You may want to consult a tax advisor or tax attorney to learn how forgiven debt affects your federal income tax.

Can I buy a house after debt settlement?

Yes, you can buy a home after debt settlement. You'll just have to meet the lender's requirements to qualify for a mortgage. Unfortunately, that could be harder after you settle debt.

What fees does Freedom Debt Relief charge?

By law, Freedom cannot charge upfront fees; rather, it collects a fee each time a settlement has been reached with a creditor and you have approved it and made at least one payment on it. The fee ranges from 15% to 25%; it's based on the amount of the enrolled debt and may vary depending on state regulations.

Can I cancel Freedom Debt Relief at any time?

You may withdraw from your FDR program at any time without penalty, and, if you do, you will receive all funds in your Dedicated Account, other than settlement fees earned by us. Termination. You may terminate this Agreement at any time, without any termination fee.

What happens if I drop out of a debt relief program?

If you drop out of the program for any reason, you lose all the concessions creditors made for you on interest rate reduction and elimination of penalties for late fees, etc. You will be asked to close all credit card accounts while in the program, although some agencies may allow one card for emergency use.

Can any debt be forgiven?

Debt forgiveness is usually available for unsecured debts like credit cards, personal loans, or student loans. Secured debts like a mortgage or a car loan are not usually eligible for debt forgiveness. If you default on a secured debt, the lender will likely pursue foreclosure or repossession.

How long does debt relief stay on your credit report?

As with most other negative credit report entries, settled accounts stay on your credit reports for seven years.

What is the best program to get out of debt?

What company is best for debt relief?

Best overall: Accredited Debt Relief

It has an outstanding 4.9 rating with Trustpilot (as of January 26, 2024) and an A+ grade with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Working with Accredited Debt Relief starts with a free phone or online consultation.

Why do Republicans oppose debt relief?

Republicans have continued to be vocal against Biden's attempts at student loan forgiveness, arguing it is unfair to those who have paid off their debts or did not go to college. “The Biden administration's blatantly political attempt to circumvent the Supreme Court is shameful.

Which is better freedom or national debt relief?

National Debt Relief: Best for customer satisfaction. New Era Debt Solutions: Best for large debts. Freedom Debt Relief: Best for tracking progress. CuraDebt: Best for smaller debts.

How to get out of $10,000 credit card debt?

What is the debt hardship program?

A credit card hardship program may allow you to pause or make smaller payments on your credit card debt with more preferred terms and waived fees. Many credit card issuers offer credit card hardship programs you may qualify for.

Which is better debt relief or debt consolidation?

While consolidating debt can temporarily impact your credit score due to a credit inquiry and the new account, it generally has a less severe and shorter-lived impact than debt settlement. Your credit history remains intact, and as you make on-time payments on the consolidated loan, your score will improve over time.

How long after debt settlement can I buy a car?

While the effects of bankruptcy hang around for 7 to 10 years on your credit report, that's not how long you must wait to borrow money. The impact of the penalty decreases each year, and it's even possible to get a car loan within six months of your discharge.

Can I get a credit card after debt settlement?

If your credit report still reflects paid or settled debt, you can call your creditor or collector to update your file accordingly. Apply for new credit, preferably a secured credit card if possible. These cards require you to put down a deposit, which typically serves as your credit card limit.

Which is a disadvantage of enrolling in a debt settlement program?

Debt Settlement Program Disadvantages

Debt settlement companies can charge a fee for each credit card debt they settle. If you have 4-5 cards, they may only settle three of them, but get rejected by the others. Thus you will have paid a fee and the problem is still unsolved.

What is the debt relief program 2023?

In addition, to protect the most vulnerable borrowers from the worst consequences of missed payments following the payment restart, the Department is instituting a 12-month “on-ramp” to repayment, running from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024, so that financially vulnerable borrowers who miss monthly payments ...