Cred Advantage: A Stress-Friendly Debt Relief Solution
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Published On: August 4th, 2024
Many Americans face crippling stress and anxiety that are largely caused by financial troubles, including debt they cannot repay. Cred Advantage has positioned themselves as a debt relief provider for individuals and families facing that exact challenge and trying to overcome it.
In this review, we will explore the possible services that they offer and we will also discuss the cost that you might incur by joining their program. We will also highlight the unique benefits of their services and consider any potential drawbacks. Additionally, we’ll comment on the availability of any customer feedback on their operations online.
Pros
Cons
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Quick Stats
Overview of Cred Advantage
Cred Advantage is a debt relief company headquartered in Newport Beach, California. Although a relatively new company that started operating in 2024, they boast the built-in expertise of over two decades and went into business with the mission to assist individuals and families in achieving financial stability, all the while paying great attention to their customers’ mental and emotional health.
The company’s services include debt consultation, credit report review, debt negotiation, debt relief, and free financial education, all of which we will detail in a dedicated section below. They boast of having a strong network of creditors nationwide. That said, they do not specify the US states in which they operate and can provide their services to customers.
Other than adhering to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) guidelines, the company has not been accredited by major organizations like the American Fair Credit Council (AFCC), the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA), or the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This lack of accreditation is due to their extremely young age as a company, and means that while they will adhere to certain industry standards, they have not yet undergone the specific vetting processes required by these organizations.
Types of Debt Covered by Cred Advantage
Their services are primarily directed at relieving people from unsecured debts. While the company does not explicitly list all the specific types of debt they may cover, they generally mention helping with credit card debt and medical bills.
Services & Perks Offered by Cred Advantage
On the company’s website, they mention a couple of debt relief-related services that they provide. The following is a breakdown of those services and features:
- Free consultation: they offer an initial, free-of-charge consultation so they can assess your financial situation and help you explore different potential relief options. This step can help you understand your debt relief possibilities and set realistic financial goals
- Debt relief solutions: The company does not specify what kinds of debt relief solutions they specifically offer. On the website, they list a few of the most common debt relief options as examples like debt consolidation, debt resolution, do-it-yourself relief, bankruptcy, and monthly payments, without clarifying whether they provide any of them, or if the content is simply for educational purposes
- Credit review: During the consultation process, they will meticulously review your credit report, ensuring you fully understand the contents. They will also conduct a thorough analysis of your income and expenses to determine the best debt relief strategy
- Educational resources:
- Cred Adv University: They emphasize the importance of empowering their clients with financial knowledge. So, they offer an online platform called Cred Adv University that provides a wide range of lessons covering topics such as budgeting, credit scoring, and debt management, catering to individuals at various stages of their financial journey
- Repayment calculators: The company also provides tools like the Debt Impact Calculator and Cred Advantage Resolutions Savings Calculator. These calculators help clients estimate potential savings and understand the impact of different debt relief options
Pricing at Cred Advantage
The company does not publicly disclose specific pricing and fee structures on their website or through other official channels. However, based on research and common practices in the debt relief industry, it can be inferred that they likely operate on a success-based fee structure. This means that fees are only charged once the company successfully negotiates a reduction or consolidation of the client's debt.
Typically, debt relief companies charge a percentage of the total debt enrolled or the amount saved through negotiation. While specific percentages are not provided by Cred Advantage, industry averages generally range from 15% to 25% of the total enrolled debt. These fees are usually deducted from an escrow account where clients make monthly payments as part of the debt relief program.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Cred Advantage
In this section, we outline the main advantages and disadvantages you should consider before choosing them as your debt relief provider.
Advantages
- Free consultation: The company provides a free initial consultation, allowing you to explore their debt relief options without any commitment. This free service includes a thorough assessment of your financial situation and offers personalized advice, making it easier for you to evaluate whether their services are the right fit for your needs
- Comprehensive educational resources: They offer a good collection of educational materials through their platform, Cred Adv University. These resources cover a wide range of financial topics, from budgeting to credit management, empowering people to make informed financial decisions
- All-week availability: Cred offers flexible customer support hours, with availability from Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and by appointment on weekends. This extended availability ensures that you can access support and guidance at your convenience, especially since many competitors do not offer any assistance on weekends
Disadvantages
- Lack of fee transparency: the company does not disclose specific fees or pricing details on their website. This lack of transparency can make it challenging for potential clients to fully understand the cost implications of enrolling in their debt relief programs, potentially leading to unexpected expenses
- Unclear service details: The company does not provide detailed information about the specific types of debt relief services they offer. Thus, it may be difficult for you to determine whether the company's offerings align with your particular financial needs. The only way to make sure they cover your specific debt needs is by contacting them directly
- Lack of accreditation: They are not accredited by any of the notable industry organizations such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA). This lack of accreditation may raise concerns about the company's adherence to industry standards and commitment to ethical practices
The Client Experience at Cred Advantage
This company is not rated by prominent online review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, or Google reviews. Furthermore, there are no reviews available on any credible platform or website, making it challenging to assess their service quality and customer satisfaction through user feedback.
Due to this absence of ratings and reviews, you may find it difficult to make informed decisions based on the experiences of past users. We recommend you contact them directly and ask them all the questions you need answered before committing to their services.
Customer Support at Cred Advantage
They offer multiple customer support options to assist you with your queries and concerns. Here's how you can reach them:
- Phone support: You can contact them at (800) 883-2844 for direct assistance
- Email support: For inquiries, you can email them at [email protected]
- Location: They are based in Newport Beach, CA 92660
- Online contact: You can also send them a message detailing the total amount of debt you owe, along with any other relevant information, through their Contact Us page. Based on the details provided, they will contact you
As for their working hours, they operate on Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with additional availability for scheduled appointments on Saturdays and Sundays. They also have an FAQs section on their website, providing answers to common questions and helping users navigate their services and debt relief options.
Final Thoughts
Cred Advantage may offer a range of debt relief services, including debt consultation, credit report review, debt negotiation, and educational resources through Cred Adv University. They place great emphasis on relieving their customers from stress and anxiety as well as from unsecured debts.
However, there are notable drawbacks to consider. Cred Advantage lacks transparency regarding their fee structure and specific debt relief services, making it challenging to fully understand the scope of their costs and offerings. Additionally, the absence of accreditation from major industry organizations like the American Fair Credit Council (AFCC) or the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA) may raise concerns about their adherence to industry standards.
Additionally, the current lack of customer reviews may make it difficult to gauge customer satisfaction and the company's reliability. However, that is understandable given that they are a relatively new company that started business in 2024. This underscores the importance of potential clients conducting thorough research, asking all the right questions, and considering individual preferences and financial goals when evaluating the suitability of their services.
For further insights, we encourage you to explore our debt relief-dedicated reviews and comparisons. You can visit our reviews page for an encompassing overview of the best debt relief providers available in the States. You can also use our comparison tool to see which company best meets your needs, and check out our blog for interesting articles on debt relief topics and more.
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