InCharge Debt Solutions: $3B in Debt Relief for Millions

InCharge Debt Solutions Overview 

InCharge Debt Solutions was established in 1997 in Orlando, Florida, and has assisted 3.2 million clients in paying off more than $3.4 billion in debt. They achieved that through their wide range of services, which include, but are not limited to, debt management, free credit counseling, debt consolidation, bankruptcy counseling, and educational workshops.

The agency has earned a strong reputation in the industry for their many accreditations. They are certified members of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA). They are also accredited by the Executive Office for United States Trustees, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and maintain an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Types of Debt Covered by InCharge Debt Solutions

The organization offers assistance with various types of debts through their debt management plans (DMPs) and debt consolidation services. The most common unsecured debts they cover include:

• Credit card debt
• Personal loans
• Medical bills
• Past-due utilities
• Collection accounts
• Payday loans

These services are designed to streamline debt repayment by consolidating multiple debts into a single, manageable monthly payment with potentially lower interest rates and waived fees. It's important to note that certain types of debts, such as mortgages, auto loans, federal student loans, and tax bills, cannot be included in their DMP or debt consolidation plan.

Note that despite having no minimum debt requirement to be eligible to enroll in any of their programs, they usually aim to assist individuals who are facing substantial financial hardship. This includes those struggling with substantial amounts of credit card debt, student loans, medical bills, or other unsecured debts.

Services & Perks Offered at InCharge Debt Solutions

They provide a large collection of financial relief services that can be broken down as follows:\

• Debt relief-related services
  • Credit counseling: They offer free sessions with NFCC-certified counselors to assess your financial situation, explore debt relief options, and create a personalized budget for improved money management
  • Debt Management Plans (DMPs): This program revolves around creating a customized plan to consolidate your unsecured debts into a single monthly payment, often with reduced interest rates and waived fees, helping you pay off debts faster and more affordably
  • Debt consolidation: Here, they combine multiple debts into one, simplifying payments and potentially lowering interest rates and fees
  • Bankruptcy counseling: They provide mandatory pre-filing and pre-discharge counseling sessions for individuals considering Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. This will help you understand your options when filling for bankruptcy and fulfill legal requirements
• Non-debt relief-related services
  • Foreclosure prevention counseling: They have HUD-approved counseling to explore your options for mortgage refinancing or financial assistance programs to avoid foreclosure
  • Eviction prevention counseling: Another service provided is their guidance and negotiation support to prevent house evictions, including exploring government assistance programs and developing feasible repayment plans
  • Homebuyer counseling: They can assist you in preparing for homeownership, including budget assessment, mortgage affordability calculations, and completion of HUD-approved homebuyer education courses like HomeTrek
• Financial education: Through InCharge Education Foundation, Inc., you can access workshops, seminars, and online resources covering a wide range of financial topics to improve your financial literacy and money management skills

Pricing & Fees at InCharge Debt Solutions

As a nonprofit organization, their fee structure is designed to support individuals seeking debt management assistance with limited resources. Their enrollment fee typically ranges from $50 to $75, covering administrative costs associated with setting up a debt management plan (DMP). While specific monthly fees are not disclosed, our research shows that the average monthly cost is approximately $32. When it comes to credit card APR reduction, their clients typically receive a rate of about 8.4%, which is significantly lower than the national average, usually ranging between 20% and 30%.

Their Debt Management Plans generally span 63 to 60 months, depending on the amount of debt enrolled and individual financial circumstances. Fees may also be structured as a percentage of the total enrolled debt, though exact ranges are not specified. They further emphasize flexibility, noting that fees can vary based on state regulations and household income levels. They also offer options for reduced or waived fees for clients facing financial hardship.

Advantages & Disadvantages of InCharge Debt Solutions

Before making up your mind, it's important that you consider both the advantages and disadvantages they offer.

Advantages

• A wide range of debt relief options: They present you with diverse solutions such as debt management plans (DMPs), debt consolidation, credit counseling, bankruptcy counseling, and housing counseling. This variety ensures that you can customize a program with them that is right for you
• Availability in all 50 states: Unlike some competitors, they operate nationwide, including Washington, DC. This broad geographical coverage ensures accessibility for individuals across the United States, regardless of their location
• Lower fees: Although specific monthly fees are not detailed, they provide debt relief solutions with industry-low costs
• Large set of educational resources: They offer extensive financial education resources, including workshops, seminars, and online courses, through their InCharge Education Foundation

Possible limitations 

• Long program length: Their Debt Management Plans (DMPs) typically require committing to a program length that can extend over several years, often ranging from three to five years
• Unclear disclosure of some fees: While they provide upfront details on enrollment fees and general information about monthly costs, specific details on all fees may not be readily available on their website
• Limited physical presence: The organization primarily operates from Florida, limiting in-person counseling and workshop opportunities to this area

Client Experience at InCharge Debt Solutions

There is mixed feedback online from customers across various platforms. On Trustpilot, the company boasts a commendable 4.8 out of 5 stars, reflecting high customer satisfaction. However, reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) average 3.5 out of 5 stars despite maintaining an A+ rating.

Positive feedback

Customers frequently praised the nonprofit for their attentive and knowledgeable staff, who provided personalized guidance and support. Many reviewers highlighted the professionalism and empathy shown by their representatives. Many clients appreciated the efficiency of the enrollment process and the convenience of automated payment systems, which streamline the debt management experience. Transparency in communication, including regular updates on account progress, is also cited as a significant strength by satisfied customers.

Critical feedback

Despite positive reviews, critical feedback points out several areas of concern. Common complaints included issues with communication, where some clients report difficulties in receiving timely responses from their assigned representatives. There are instances of miscommunication or conflicting information provided by different agents, leading to frustration among reviewers. Some customers expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of funds and unexpected closures of accounts by the company, which impacted their credit scores negatively. A few reviewers also mentioned challenges with fee clarity and unexpected charges, which they feel were not adequately disclosed upfront.

Customer Support at InCharge Debt Solutions

There are several customer support options that can help you communicate with their team throughout your debt management journey.

Support options

For inquiries and assistance, you can reach them through the following contact methods:

• General help: Call 800-565-8953. Support is available Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 10 PM ET, and Saturday, 9 AM to 6 PM ET
• Account questions: Contact 888-734-6229. Assistance is provided Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM ET. Customers can also manage their accounts through the online portal
• Housing counseling: For housing-related inquiries, call 877-712-6040, available Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM ET
• Bankruptcy counseling: Call 866-729-0049 for bankruptcy counseling, available Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM ET

Contact information

For written correspondence, they can be contacted at: 
5750 Major Blvd, 
Suite 300 Orlando, 
FL 32819

They also provide a wealth of helpful educational resources for you to enhance your financial literacy and manage your debt effectively. These resources include budgeting and saving guides, free resources for teachers, and financial literacy workshops.

Final Thoughts  

InCharge Debt Solutions is a nonprofit debt relief organization that was founded in 1997 with the mission of making debt relief accessible to the average American. They have assisted over 3.2 million clients in paying off more than $3.4 billion in debt throughout the decades. Their services include debt management, debt consolidation, free credit counseling, bankruptcy counseling, educational workshops, and more.

The company's nationwide availability, including Washington, DC, ensures that individuals across the United States can access their services. Additionally, they maintain industry-low costs and provide extensive financial education resources, including workshops, seminars, and online courses. They promote catering to different personal cases and needs, whether it's managing credit card debt, personal loans, or medical bills.

To gain further insights into the company's performance and reliability, we encourage you to explore our debt relief reviews. For more detailed comparisons and additional research, use our comparison tool and read our blogs to equip yourself with the knowledge required to make informed decisions and achieve your financial objectives.

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