Getting started
Does checking my options affect my credit?
No. The assessment uses a soft inquiry, visible only to you, with no effect on your score. A hard inquiry occurs only if you accept a specific loan offer, and you'll be told before it happens.
How long does the assessment take?
About two minutes online. If you'd rather talk it through, the phone conversation usually runs 20 to 30 minutes.
Do I have to give you my Social Security number?
Not for the initial assessment. A full SSN is needed only for a formal loan application or program enrollment, at the point where a hard credit pull or a legal agreement is involved.
Cost and credit
What will this do to my credit score?
Opposite directions depending on the path. A consolidation loan typically improves your score over time as revolving utilization drops. A debt relief program will damage it significantly, because accounts go delinquent before they settle, and settled accounts report as "settled for less than full balance" for up to seven years.
What are the fees?
Debt relief: 15%–25% of enrolled debt, charged only after a settlement is reached and you approve it. No advance fees. Loans: APR of 5.95%–35.99%, no origination fee, all disclosed before you sign.
Will I owe taxes on forgiven debt?
Possibly. The IRS can treat forgiven debt as taxable income and you may receive a 1099-C. There are exclusions, notably insolvency. We're not tax advisors — talk to a CPA before enrolling if this is a concern.
Can I be sued while I'm in a program?
Yes. It's uncommon but it happens, and no company can promise otherwise. Any company telling you lawsuits are impossible is not being straight with you.
The uncomfortable ones
Should I just file bankruptcy instead?
Sometimes, yes. Chapter 7 can discharge unsecured debt in a few months where a program takes years, and for some situations it's clearly the better answer. We aren't attorneys and can't advise on it, but if your numbers point that way we'll say so and suggest you speak with a bankruptcy attorney. Many offer free consultations.
Can I negotiate with creditors myself?
Yes, and some people do it successfully without paying anyone. Creditors will talk to you directly. What you're paying a program for is the process, the negotiation experience, and not having to manage it while creditors are calling — not access to something secret.
Why does the program pay you more than the loan?
Because program fees are a percentage of enrolled debt while loan revenue accrues as interest over time. It's a real conflict of interest and we'd rather name it than pretend it doesn't exist. It's why the recommendation goes to you in writing with the reasoning attached.
Can you guarantee how much I'll save?
No, and neither can anyone else. Outcomes depend on which creditors you have, how far behind you are, and whether you complete the program. Any specific savings figure you're quoted upfront as a promise rather than an average is a red flag.
See your numbers clearly
Not sure which path fits?
Two minutes, no credit impact, and you'll see both options side by side before you give us your name.
Start the free assessment