American Debt Relief: Expertly Settling $1 Billion in Debt

Overview of American Debt Relief

The company first opened their doors to the public in 2012 in Plano, Texas. Presently, our research indicates that they operate in 44 states nationwide, as well as in Washington, DC. Since their establishment, they claim to have settled over $1 billion in debt for thousands of clients.

The company primarily provides debt settlement solutions, which include a free debt assessment, debt negotiations with your creditors, and customizing their debt settlement plan to meet your unique needs. Furthermore, they guarantee you your own dedicated credit advisor, who will guide you through every step of the process, helping you make informed decisions throughout the program’s length. That being said, they make it clear that they do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors, or guarantee specific credit repair, debt reductions, or debt-free timelines.

They hold an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), despite not being accredited by the Bureau. They are accredited, however, by the American Fair Credit Council (AFCC) and the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA).

Types of Debt Covered by American Debt Relief

The company claims to primarily focus on helping people with unsecured debt. However, they only specifically mention credit card debt as a type of debt handled on their website. They also note that to be eligible for their debt relief program, you need to demonstrate financial hardship, which means you must be unable to keep up with your bills and prove that you are experiencing financial difficulty.

They are not clear about the  minimum amount of debt required to qualify for their program. They do state that the program usually takes between 24 and 48 months to complete, with settlements often reached within six months. However, not all clients complete the program due to various factors, including the inability to save sufficient funds.

Services Offered by American Debt Relief

Their debt relief services are limited to offering debtors the initial free consolation and a debt settlement option, which entail:

• Debt consultation: They offer a complimentary debt assessment, accessible by phone and through their online “Free Debt Assessment,” to help you determine if debt settlement is the right option for you
• Debt settlement: Once you join their program, their team will work to reduce the total amount of debt you owe by leveraging relationships with major creditor networks on your behalf. You will be asked to save a set amount of money in a dedicated savings account each month. Once the required savings threshold is reached, the company will use it to settle your debt

Pricing & Fees at American Debt Relief

The company operates on a performance-based fee structure, meaning they do not charge any upfront fees. Instead, fees are only assessed once you successfully reach and approve a settlement. It’s important to note that they do not disclose the specific fee amounts upfront on their website. However, their savings rate suggests that their fees typically average 25% of the total enrolled debt, which may be on the higher end of what such companies charge.

Clients who enroll in their debt settlement program and successfully resolve all their debts may realize approximate savings of 55% before fees, or about 30% after fees. However, they emphasize that these savings can vary depending on individual circumstances and the success of negotiations with creditors.

Even after joining the program, you might accrue late fees and interest on your outstanding debts. But they stress that they do not charge, in any way, fees that are not involved in securing a settlement for you, such as when a debt is written off without their negotiation.

To better understand their fee structure and how it applies to your specific situation, we recommend that you contact the company directly for detailed information and consultation.

Advantages & Disadvantages of American Debt Relief

Before venturing into any particular committed debt relief company, it is essential that you are made aware of all the possible advantages and limitations that it might have. Below, we list all the relevant advantages and disadvantages of their services:

Advantages:

• Performance-based fees: If you join their program, you will only be expected to pay fees when your debts are successfully settled. This performance-based approach to charging fees can prove instrumental in helping you save more money and manage your finances better
• Free consultation: With them, you will have access to a free debt consultation, which you can access by completing their online debt assessment, or by phone if you prefer
• Client dashboard: Unlike many competitors, they offer a client dashboard, which allows you to oversee your program and track settlement progress in real-time

Disadvantages

• Undisclosed fee structure: Unlike many who disclose their fee percentages upfront, this company does not publicly list their fee amounts on their website. This lack of transparency can make it challenging for you to fully understand the costs that the program would require
• Undisclosed minimum debt requirement: Additionally, they do not disclose a specific minimum debt amount required for enrollment in their program. This lack of transparency leaves you no option but to personally contact the company to discover whether your level of debt qualifies for the company's services
• Limited state availability: Despite the company not explicitly stating the geographic locations they serve, our research shows that their services are only available in 44 states and Washington, DC, which may restrict access for some

The Client Experience at American Debt Relief 

When it comes to online ratings, the company has mixed reviews across different platforms. On Trustpilot, they score a high rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars, indicating generally positive customer sentiment. However, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) shows a starkly contrasting customer review score of 1 out of 5 stars. Google reviews also reflects a somewhat lower but still positive average rating of 4.1 stars out of 5.

Positive feedback

Many customers praised the company for their personalized approach and knowledgeable staff. Many reviews highlighted their commitment to providing clear and helpful guidance throughout the debt settlement process. Others appreciated the proactive communication and regular updates they received, which helped them stay informed and involved in their financial recovery journey.

Critical feedback

Despite positive feedback, critical reviews point out several recurring issues. Common complaints included delays in settlement negotiations, unexpected fees, and challenges with communication. Some customers expressed frustration over the impact on their credit scores and dissatisfaction with the outcomes compared to the initial promises. There are also mentions of difficulties in canceling services and obtaining refunds. Transparency regarding fees and the actual impact on credit scores is another area of concern highlighted by dissatisfied clients.

Customer Support at American Debt Relief 

If you wish to contact the company, whether as a new or existing client or only for inquiries, you can refer to the customer support information below.

For general inquiries or new clients:

• Phone: 1-800-752-3612
• Email: accountsupport@americandebtrelief.com

For existing clients:

• Phone: 1-800-976-4872
• Email: clientservice@americandebtrelief.com

For fax, use this number: 1-877-316-4617. Their office hours are:

• Monday-Friday: 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM CST
• Saturday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM CST

The company address is:
6860 North Dallas Pkwy, 
Ste. 200, 
Office 262, 
Plano, TX 75024

Final Thoughts 

American Debt Relief has been part of the debt settlement industry since 2012 and has successfully settled over $1 billion in debt for clients across 44 states and Washington, DC. Their service begins with a complimentary debt assessment, helping you evaluate the suitability of debt settlement as a financial strategy. The company would then negotiate with creditors to reduce your total debt burdens, typically completing programs within 24 to 48 months.

One of the company's standout features is their performance-based fee structure, which means you would only pay fees after a successful debt settlement. This approach can potentially lead to significant cost savings compared to upfront fee models. Additionally, the company provides a client dashboard that offers transparency, allowing you to track real-time settlement progress, enhancing overall engagement and satisfaction.

However, despite these strengths, the company presents with some limitations. Client feedback has highlighted occasional challenges with communication delays and unexpected fees, which can impact the overall client experience. Transparency regarding fee structures and debt requirements is also a challenge that many face with them.

Before settling on them as your debt relief provider of choice, it’s better to look into other options and compare companies to discover the most suitable one for your specific needs. To help with this, we offer a wide selection of reviews where you can learn about debt relief firms, a comparison tool to assess various providers, and a blog packed with informative posts on handling debt and enhancing your financial well-being.

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