Freedom Debt Relief Review: Break Free From Debt

Their History

Freedom Debt Relief is an Arizona-based debt settlement company offering customers a debt settlement program, negotiation, credit counseling, management, and consolidation. This means you stop paying the multiple organizations you are indebted to, reducing the amount you owe your creditors.

The company negotiates directly with creditors on behalf of their clients to convince them to accept less than the total amount owed.  This is good for the creditor because it will allow them to get paid sooner; as for the client, it helps them resolve the debt in a much shorter period.

The process at FDR is similar to that of any other debt settlement company. Once you start with them, you immediately stop paying creditors and open a separate savings account. You will own and control this savings account and start depositing monthly payments.

Of course, FDR's team works with the client to determine and settle the amount to be deposited into the savings account. They will discuss it with you and decide according to your ability to pay and the total debt you will pay.

The American Fair Credit Council and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) have accredited FDR. Industry leaders like the Financial Health Network, the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA), and the American Association for Debt Resolution (AAADR) also acknowledge them.

Types of Debt Addressed by Freedom Debt Relief

They address different types of debt, such as custom plans to help you with personal loan debt, bankruptcy, consolidation loans, and some business debts, including the following:

Credit card debt 

This is FDR's most important program. They focus mainly on helping people negotiate with creditors and pay off their credit card debt. The average credit card interest rate is currently 19.24%, which means it's normal for people to struggle to pay it back. 

Medical bills

Medical debt has become a substantial issue in the United States, even for people with health insurance. The good news is that FDR works directly with hospitals, medical centers, and providers, negotiating medical debt for less than the agreed-upon bill. 

Private student loans

FDR also helps people with private student loans by negotiating the total amount of the bill for a lower one. 

It must be mentioned that FDR does not help secure debt such as auto loans, mortgages, and federal student loans.

Service Fees & Costs

One great thing about FDR is that they mention their service fees on the website, something you might not see in many other debt relief companies. This should show you how transparent their services are. While they don't have upfront costs, they have different fees upon settlement, according to the law. 

FDR fees generally range between 15% and 25% of enrolled debt, with an average cost of 21.5%. According to them, the fees can vary based on debt, situation, and state. 

There is a $9.95 one-time fee to set up your special-purpose account with Crossroads Financial Technologies (CFT) and a $9.95 monthly fee for account servicing. Of course, costs vary according to the amount settled. We recommend you ask the sales representative who contacts you for all the necessary price information before you sign any paper.

Advantages & Disadvantages

• Zero upfront fees: One good thing about the Freedom Debt Relief program is that they don't have upfront costs. Instead of paying an upfront cost, you pay fees based on a percentage of the debt you settle with the company
• Online Client Dashboard: You can easily monitor your progress every step of the way, access statements, and utilize helpful tools through their online portal
• Accredited by AFCC and IAPDA: By partnering with a business that follows established ethical norms and industry standards, you may avoid any problems that may arise
• Transparent fee structures: To make sure customers know how much the debt settlement procedure will cost, the firm keeps their charge structures open and honest from the very start
• Addresses different types of debt comprehensively: A wide variety of debts are covered by FDR. This includes unsecured debts such as personal loans and credit cards
• Program Guarantee: FDR will return any portion of their collected fees that exceed the debt you registered in their debt settlement program, provided that the ultimate settlement cost is less than the original enrollment amount. The total amount of your registered debt and fees determines your eligibility for Freedom Debt Relief's program guarantee

Disadvantage

• Lengthy process: Their program has an average of 24-48 months, which might be too long compared to other companies

Customer Reviews

They have varying ratings across different review platforms. Their BBB rating is 4.49 out of 5, their Trustpilot rating is 4.6 out of 5, and their Yelp rating is 1.6 out of 5 stars.

Positive comments emphasize successful debt negotiation and the individualized assistance offered by the company. FDR has received rave reviews from satisfied clients who praised the company's openness and communication throughout the process. Noting that debts are settled successfully and swiftly, they emphasize the service's efficiency. Customers have a good experience because of the prompt and effective resolution of their debts and the proactive communication.

FDR also gets high scores from clients for doing what they said they would do. One client stated that, in keeping with what was discussed at the first appointment, the firm assisted them in paying off debt and handling other financial difficulties. Customers often express surprise and gratitude when obtaining refunds and comfort from the organization.

Criticisms raise worries about the influence on customers’ credit scores. Numerous customers have complained about FDR, claiming that the company engages in misleading methods, and fails to produce the promised outcomes. Several customers claim that the company's promises were deceptive after they paid exorbitant fees for minimal debt reduction. The salespeople have allegedly engaged in aggressive techniques, such as making unwanted calls and acting rudely. 

Customers who have had problems with unexpected charges, trouble getting their money back, or canceling their accounts have expressed upset. Concerns over the effect on credit ratings and the lack of clarity around fees and interest rates are also present. Throughout these assessments, there is consistent discontent and mistrust towards FDr's services.

On the other hand, the company replies to clients to clarify program savings and resolve issues. They show they tried contacting clients to address their problems and listen to their worries. Moreover, they express a readiness to handle concerns about harassment or unwanted contact by mentioning that they would remove clients from their call list or system if asked.

To better understand this provider, the quality of their services, and their offerings, we suggest getting in touch with previous or current customers and asking for all the necessary information before you make your final decision.  

Customer Support

FDR offers excellent customer service for those seeking debt relief solutions. You can contact one of their certified debt consultants by phone at 1-800-910-0065 or at [email protected]. 

They are available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 11 PM ET and Saturday through Sunday from 9 AM to 9 PM ET. You can also send them a message by filling out a form on their website. 

Additionally, they offer informative content to their clients via a blog page and instructions on paying off debt.

Final Verdict

Finally, with a history dating back to 2002, Freedom Debt Relief is a leading light in debt relief services. Countless individuals have achieved financial independence thanks to FDR's commitment to personalized solutions. With recognition from big names in the industry and accreditation from respected organizations like the American Fair Credit Council, FDR promises trustworthiness and dependability in everything it does.

At FDR, they cover a wide range of debt types, such as personal loans, private student loans, and medical debt. They also aim to keep their fee structures transparent for their customers. 

Although there are valid points of view, FDR works hard to resolve issues and encourages honest dialogue with customers. To maintain its image as a reliable partner in financial recovery, FDR works hard to resolve concerns and provide quick customer assistance channels.

While restoring debt relief might not be the perfect option, it might still benefit those struggling with paying debts to different creditors. 

FDR has been helping people for almost two decades and will continue to help them in all ways possible. After reading this review, if you decide to use their services, carefully read their terms and conditions before signing their contract and starting with them. For a better understanding of the industry and more companies, visit our review, blog, and comparison pages.

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