National Debt Relief: Low Fees & Debt Minimum Requirement
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Updated On: July 14th, 2024
We all reach a point in our lives where we’re in need of financial guidance and perhaps assistance. So is the case when trying to manage debt that is beyond one’s capabilities, and debt relief companies like National Debt Relief (NDR) offer a compelling solution.
NDR is a debt settlement company based in New York City, founded in 2009. Since then, they have made a significant impact by settling over $1 billion in debt on behalf of more than 500,000 Americans.
In this review, we will explore this company’s services, fee structure, benefits, and potential drawbacks, as well as customer reviews, to give you a holistic understanding of what to expect from them.
Pros
Cons
Content
Quick Stats
Overview of National Debt Relief
National Debt Relief was founded in 2009 in New York City with the mission of helping individuals and families overcome their debt challenges and regain financial stability. Over the years, they have helped over 500,000 clients across 47 states and Washington, D.C., settling over $1 billion in unsecured debts.
The company’s founder has experienced debt struggles in the past and has resorted to debt relief themselves. They claim this motivated them to place great value on compassion when dealing with people in debt. Such values were the driving force behind adopting the Whole Human Finance approach to their debt relief solutions.
The company specializes in debt settlement, a process where they negotiate with your creditors to reduce the overall debt that you owe. Their role is to handle all negotiations and communications with creditors and settle your debts for less than the original amounts. Over the years, they have established relationships with over 10,000 creditors across the nation, which aids them in their negotiation efforts.
They hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), are an accredited member of the American Association for Debt Resolution (AADR), and are platinum accredited by the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA). They are also members of the US Chamber of Commerce.
Types of Debt Covered by National Debt Relief
They primarily assist with unsecured debts. That includes debt on:
- Credit cards
- Department store cards
- Gas cards
- Bank loans from prior banks
- Installment loans
- Finance companies
- Unsecured personal loans
- Repossession deficiency balances
- Business debts
- Bank overdrafts and associated fees
- Cell phones
- Credit unions (non-federal or military members)
- Veterinarian bills over $500
- Abandoned timeshares
- Judgments (six months or older)
- Back rent (if you are no longer the resident)
- Certain private student loans
However, there are certain types of debt that they do not cover. These include mortgage loans, auto loans, child support, back taxes, speeding tickets or fines, current cell phones, current rent for your residence, and more.
Services & Perks Offered by National Debt Relief
The company is exclusively focused on providing top-notch debt settlement services, along with the customary initial consultation session. In this section, we detail the nature of these offerings.
- Free consultation: The company provides a no-obligation consultation to assess your financial situation and determine if you qualify for debt relief services
- Debt settlement: Once you choose to go for their program, they start working on negotiating with your creditors to reduce the amount of debt you owe. You will be directed to make monthly deposits into an FDIC-insured escrow account to fund the settlements of your debt. This process usually results in a savings of 30% to 50% off the original debt amount
- Financial calculators: To help their clients manage their finances better, they provide a variety of financial calculators on their website. These tools can help with budgeting, understanding the cost of debt, and planning for debt payoff strategies
Fees at National Debt Relief
NDR does not charge any upfront fees, meaning you only incur costs once your debt is successfully resolved through them. This performance-based fee typically ranges between 15% and 25% of the total debt. To qualify for their debt relief program, you must owe more than $7,500, be several months behind on payments, and be experiencing a financial hardship with no quick end in sight. Their team of debt experts will work to demonstrate your financial hardship to your creditors to increase your chances of debt settlement. Their clients usually take around 24 to 48 months to complete the program, with a 30% to 50% savings rate.
Advantages & Disadvantages of National Debt Relief
Consider the following benefits and potential drawbacks to joining their debt relief program:
Advantages
- No upfront fees and performance-based fees: The company only charges fees after successfully negotiating and settling your debt, requiring you to pay no upfront fees from your end
- Industry-low minimum debt requirement: They only require a minimum debt of $7,500 to qualify for their services. This threshold is considered relatively low compared with the $10,000 industry-norm
- Satisfaction guarantee: They advertise a satisfaction guarantee, meaning you only pay for settled debts you approve. If you are unsatisfied with their services at any point before a settlement is reached, you can cancel without penalties
Possible limitations
- Limited availability in certain states: The firm cannot serve residents of three states: Oregon, Vermont, and West Virginia, which can restrict access for some potential clients
- Additional fees not disclosed upfront: While the company is transparent about their primary fees, they do not disclose additional costs such as savings account fees, monthly maintenance fees, or administrative fees
- No mobile app for managing accounts: Unlike some competitors, NDR does not offer a mobile app, which can be inconvenient for clients who prefer managing their accounts and tracking their progress on-the-go
Client Experience at National Debt Relief
The company has received impressive ratings across various review platforms. They hold a 4.7 out of 5-star rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a 4.6 out of 5-star rating on Google Reviews, and a 4.7 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot.
Positive feedback
Customers often praise NDR for their exceptional customer service and personalized care. Many reviews highlight the professionalism and attentiveness of the staff, who take their time to understand individual financial situations and provide expert advice. Many mentioned their team’s flexibility in handling diverse debt types and their clarity in explaining program details.
Critical feedback
Despite overall positive reviews, there are common complaints among dissatisfied customers. Issues with fund handling and unexpected fees are often cited, with some customers feeling misled about the true cost of the program. Additionally, complaints about a lack of transparency and inconsistent communication from representatives are addressed as well. Some were dissatisfied with the program’s outcome and duration.
Customer Support at National Debt Relief
They offer multiple support options to ensure you and other customers can access assistance whenever needed. Their support options include:
Phone support: You can contact their customer support team at 800-300-9550. Their hours of operation are:
- Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – Midnight EST
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM EST
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM EST
Client Success Team: For current clients, their Client Success Team can be reached toll-free at 888-660-7427. Their hours are:
- Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM EST
- Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST
Email support: You can email your inquiries to [email protected] for further assistance
Fax: You can send documents via fax to 888-688-3291
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 2011
New York, NY 10272
The company also offers a variety of resources to help customers understand and effectively use their services. These resources include articles and guides on various debt relief topics including credit card debt relief, debt consolidation, personal loan debt relief, and debt relief settlement.
Final Thoughts
National Debt Relief specializes in helping individuals and families regain financial stability through debt settlement. They focus on negotiating with their established relationships with over 10,000 creditors to reduce the overall debt you owe. They further promise to take over the communications and settlement processes on your behalf.
They offer several unique features that benefit customers significantly. Their no-upfront fee policy means you only pay after a successful debt settlement. Additionally, their low minimum debt requirement of $7,500 makes their services accessible to a wider range of individuals.
The company is backed by their strong industry accreditations. They hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). They are also accredited members of the American Association for Debt Resolution (AADR) and the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA). Additionally, they are members of the US Chamber of Commerce, which attests to their professionalism and commitment to high regulatory standards.
Before deciding on NDR as a solution for managing your debt, it's crucial to consider other options. To assist with this, we offer extensive reviews of debt relief companies, a comparison tool to assess different providers side-by-side, and a blog filled with informative posts on handling debt and enhancing your financial well-being.
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