This young couple never imagined being where they are now three years ago. The hope with which they started their small eatery at the outskirts of Dallas had crashed, and they are now caught in an endless debt trap, unable to find a way out.
Incidentally, they are not the only ones facing such a dilemma. Thousands of people across the United States face the same fate. Americans, with only one type of debt, owe over $100,000 on average, and at least 60% of Americans are in deep debt.
In the past 30 years and a trifle more, debt has been on a prowl across the country, murdering the American dream almost with impunity.
The barista at your neighborhood coffee bar is forced to work an extra shift daily only to make ends meet. The single mom lives in a state of claustrophobia under persisting anxiety over how she will keep her child fed. You may even find the high school student next door unsure about whether he or she would be able to make it to college without walking into debt. Your neighbor may even tell you how they are often forced to borrow more to repay earlier outstanding loans.
This is the narrative that defines Americans today. It seems almost every soul you see rushing for work is carrying an invisible pile on their head — the stack of unpaid tax and credit card bills.
The boulder of debt has crushed the American dream, pulverizing people pervasively as it keeps rolling unchecked.
Yet, in this all-pervading gloom, the country offers you scope to live a life of total freedom from all debts. There are two options. You can live a spartan life and stay clear of expenses that may take you your whole life to pay back, or you can avail of the service and guidance of a reliable debt consolidation company, which will show you the path to freedom from debt.
We know and understand your desperation to come out clean from your debts and your aspirations to live a life of freedom hereafter. And we feel your best option is to walk into the office of a reputable debt consolidation company and walk out as a free man. In their efforts to navigate you to freedom from debts, these companies usually consolidate all of your outstanding debts and negotiate a settlement by paying a part of what you owe.
Your freedom from debts, however, will depend on which company you finally decide to work with. Therefore, you must do your due diligence before you select the debt consolidation company to bail you out of the debt traps, or else you may walk into a bigger risk and messy financial arrangements.
List of the Best Debt Consolidation Companies of 2021
- CuraDebt — Overall Best Loan Consolidation Company
- Accredited Debt Relief — Best for Consolidating Debt to Save Hundreds of Dollars
- National Debt Relief — Best for Credit Card Consolidation Loan
- Citizens Debt Relief — Best for Fast & Consolidated Debt Relief
- DMB Financial — Best for Debt Settlement with Easy Repayment Terms
#1. CuraDebt: Overall Best Loan Consolidation Company
The financial WizKids, who set up the company in 2000, has been aiding individuals and small businesses to walk out of their debts since 1996. And since then, the company has, thus far, helped thousands resolve their debts and created awareness about the importance of saving.
In the past 21 years, CuraDebt has earned an unparalleled reputation for being the best. It is believed that your passage from financial hardship to comfort can never be easier, faster, and smoother if you are not working with CuraDebt for your debt consolidation and resolution. Although the company consolidates and settles all kinds of debts, it is known for its specialization in tax debts, which most debt consolidation companies refuse to dabble in.
The transparency with which it usually offers, the efficiency with which it handles clients’ debt issues, and the speed with which it takes its customers from financial bondage to freedom have all become fables in the business of debt consolidation and settlement.
Highlights
- CuraDebt’s services and programs are indeed one of the widest in the market. The company consolidates and settles credit card debt, medical debt, personal loans for debt and payday loans, tax debts, and private student loans.
- The company does not insist upon a specific minimum amount of debt for a client to qualify for receiving services or the debt settlement programs. It, on the contrary, offers free consultation on how it proposes to consolidate and settle the debts and explains in detail the company’s working modules.
- While most debt relief providers do not offer their services to clients having tax debts, CuraDebt offers help to enable you to settle your Federal and State taxes.
- At the core of its unblemished reputation lies an army of happy clients who were successfully aided to move on with life free from debts.
- CuraDebt offers one of the best ease of consultations. You can talk to any of its consultants either over the phone or meet one in person at the company’s office in Hollywood. The consultation is free because CuraDebt understands the angst a debtor is already in. This policy speaks volumes about the company’s sensitivity for the millions poorly mired in debts of all kinds.
- The company is a member of the American Fair Credit Council (AFCC) and is certified by the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA).
Pros
- No upfront fees or enrollment fees.
- Available across 50 states of the U.S.
- Settles outstanding debt issues between 24 and 48 months.
- Works primarily on a flat-rate fee structure.
- Charges 20% of what you owe.
Cons
- Offers no help in lawsuits, utility bills, auto, student, or government loans, mortgage or home loans, and other secured debts.
- No mobile applications and dashboards.
- Not accredited with the Better Business Bureau.
#2. Accredited Debt Relief: Best for Consolidating Debt to Save Hundreds of Dollars
The runner-up position on our list goes to none other than Accredited Debt Relief. The Texas-based firm is one of America’s leading companies with years of experience in debt consolidation under their belt and is an A+ accredited business under the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The firm is also certified by the American Fair Credit Council (AFCC). Accredited Debt Relief understands the frustration and suffering of multiple crushing debts and predatory interest rates from loans. So, the company tries to offer specially tailored services based on the needs and nature of a client’s unsecured loans. The company operates on three core values:
- Clients should come first, and each should be given a uniquely optimized solution to handle their situation.
- The company must try everything it can to help increase the financial savings of the client.
- The company must maintain honesty and transparency with the client at all times. The client came for help in desperate times, so it is immoral to fleece them.
Following these guidelines, the company has helped settle over $500 million in debt for over 140,000 Americans. Accredited Debt Relief can help you reduce your total debt by a whopping 50% by consolidating multiple debts into one and by helping you become debt-free as early as 12 months. If you have a debt of $25,000 or more, Accredited Debt Relief can significantly cut down your monthly payments. With a debt of $25,000, you can end up paying as low as $408 per month at 0% interest on the minimum amount and become debt-free in 48 months.
Getting started is easy. Accredited Debt Relief will ask you about your debt and quote you for service charges and consolidation loan amounts. Consultation and saving estimates are free, and you do not even need to pay any upfront enrollment fee.
Customer reviews for this firm have been nothing short of stellar. Accredited Debt Relief’s website proudly shows an average score of 4.9 stars out of 5 by Trustpilot. One verified customer stated that it was, “The best call I have ever made,” while another customer called the whole experience with the company, “Quick and painless.” So, what are you worrying about? Get relieved of debt by Accredited Debt Relief today.
Highlights
- Reduces your debt by a maximum of 50%.
- Combines multiple debts into a single easy to manage one.
- Saves you hundreds of dollars each month.
- Get approved for debt consolidation even if you have an imperfect and minimum credit score.
- Easy to apply, and it is as simple as getting a quote online.
- Over one million people have applied, with 140,000 clients enrolled and $500 million in debt resolved.
- Be debt-free in as little as 12 to 48 months.
Pros
- BBB rating of A+ and accredited by the AFCC.
- Free consultation and saving estimates.
- No upfront enrollment fee.
- 0% interest rate on minimum monthly payment.
- 9-star review on Trustpilot.
- Norton-secured website.
Cons
- Only ideal for unsecured debts or debts above $10,000.
#3. National Debt Relief: Best for Credit Card Consolidation Loan
Since its founding in 2009, National Debt Relief has been a consistently high-ranking debt consolidation and relief firm. It has not changed as of 2021, as we place National Debt Relief at our number three spot. The New York-based firm is an A+ business accredited by the BBB. National Debt Relief is also certified by the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA) and AFCC. Whether it is major credit card debt, bank loans, or medical debt, National Debt Relief has you covered and can lower your debt by up to a staggering value of 50%. The company only charges 15-25% of your total debt as fees, so they still lower your debt by roughly 30% even after paying National Debt Relief. You can achieve all of this in just a period of two to four years. You might be thinking that is a long time, but remember that paying off a large debt otherwise can often take decades, if not a lifetime. Initial consultation and savings estimates are free, so you can get a good idea of what you are getting before you need to shell out even a single dollar. Even then, no upfront payment is necessary.
Qualification is easy, provided you have a minimum debt of $7,500 that belongs to one of the qualified types of debt.
National Debt Relief has been featured as a leading debt consolidation firm multiple times by Top Consumer Reviews, Top 10 Reviews, and Consumer Advocate. It has almost a perfect 5-star review on TrustPilot based on 32,000+ reviews and 4.6/5 stars on Google based on over 2,000 customer reviews. One customer, Amber P., writes, “It has been a lifesaver. We were drowning in CC debt and National Debt Relief had helped us. I am so glad I called.” Bobby A. says, “National Debt Relief helped me settle my debts that were choking me.”
With such fantastic customer reviews and services, National Debt Relief is a no-brainer solution if the unrelenting weight of debt is crushing your life. No longer do you have to lie sleepless at night wondering if your house will be repossessed or if your credit score tanked, hamstringing future financial prospects. In a nation falling increasingly in the jaws of debt, National Debt Relief is welcome salvation for many Americans.
Highlights
- Reduces your debt by a maximum of 50% or 30% after fees.
- Choose between debt consolidation and debt relief, each one with its unique pros and cons.
- Get your debt consolidated even if it is as low as $7,500.
- Be debt-free in as little as 12 to 48 months.
Pros
- BBB rating of A+.
- Accredited by the AFCC and AIPDA.
- Choose between debt consolidation and debt settlement.
- Free consultation and saving estimates.
- No upfront enrollment.
- 5-star review on Trustpilot and 4.6 on Google.
- Consistently high rated by reputed media sources.
Cons
- Must fall in one of the eligible debt types to qualify.
#4. Citizens Debt Relief: Best for Fast & Consolidated Debt Relief
At our number four spot is New York-based firm Citizens Debt Relief. Despite being a new company established in 2017, AFCC and IAPDA already accredited Citizens Debt Relief. The company is also a certified primary member of the Consumer Debt Relief Initiative (CDRI) in 2021 and an authorized partner of Consumer Affairs. Citizens Debt Relief functions on the four pillar philosophies of diversity, transparency, respect, and integrity. It ensures each customer is given optimal attention, help, and a fair chance to clear their debt.
Initial consultation and getting a quote is free, and Citizens Debt Relief suggests to every customer a five-step system to a debt-free existence.
1. Enroll. This is as simple as calling them or signing up on their website. You will be assigned a free consultation to examine your finances and credit history to see if you qualify for debt consolidation. There are no upfront fees until your debt is successfully consolidated and reduced.
2. Payment Plan. Citizens Debt Relief will help you set up one monthly payment plan according to your current budget and earnings. This helps optimize the installments while slowly paying off your debts and still living a decent life.
3. Communication with Your Creditor. Citizens Debt Relief will tell your creditors they are handling your debt.
4. Debt Reduction. After you have built up a sufficient amount of money in your trust account, Citizens Debt Relief will contact your creditors and try to negotiate a reduction in your debt. The firm has a history of dealing with a 40-60% debt reduction, which is fantastic.
5. Be Debt Free. Citizens Debt Relief will then pay back your creditors from the money you put in the trust account. One by one, your debt will reduce over time, and Citizens Debt Relief will claim its fees.
That is how simple it is. However, one thing to note is that while you are actively working to pay off your debts, Citizens Debt Relief will freeze all of your credit cards to avoid further spending. This is to prevent your debts from becoming even higher and unviable with the current payment plan. Citizens Debt Relief says that under ideal circumstances, customers can usually pay off their debt in 12 to 48 months, depending on how high their debt is.
If you do not mind your credit cards getting frozen, Citizens Debt Relief is an excellent option for any American to slowly but surely settle your debt while still living a dignified life. Sadly, however, Citizens Debt Relief does not offer its services in all 50 U.S. states. So, it is prudent to check their website and see if you qualify before moving forward with an application.
Highlights
- Reduces your debt by 40-60%.
- Pay off all of your debts from a single monthly payment.
- Easy to join and get a free quote.
- No impact on your credit score.
- Be debt-free in as little as 12 to 48 months.
Pros
- Accredited by the AFCC and AIPDA.
- Authorized partner of CDRI and Consumer Affairs.
- Free consultation and saving estimates.
- No upfront enrollment.
Cons
- Does not provide service to all 50 U.S. states.
- Your credit cards will get frozen while you pay off your debt.
#5. DMB Financial: Best for Debt Settlement with Easy Repayment Terms
Last but certainly not least is DMB Financial’s debt consolidation services. Based in Massachusetts, DMB Financial is a proud member of the North Shore and Greater Beverly Chambers of Commerce. DMB Financial is also an AFCC as well as an IAPDA-certified firm. DMB understands that unsecured debts can be a significant burden, and repaying minimum amounts does not get you anywhere close to settling your debts. It can lead to a lifelong debt trap. So, the company offers affordable solutions to debt consolidation and easy loan repayment terms.
Signing up with DMB Financial is easy and free. All you have to do is contact them via their website, email, or phone. A DMB Financial consultant will get in touch with you and organize a free consultation where they will review your case and check if you qualify. If you do, they will advise you on a set course for debt repayment. DMB makes customized debt consolidation plans for each customer for all of their unique needs. This plan will ask you to pay a monthly amount to a savings account set up by DMB Financial. As you pay back your debts, the money will accumulate in that savings account from which they will be delivered to your creditors. DMB Financial will also talk to your creditors on your behalf and reach a debt settlement so you can have a significant debt reduction. It can help you save thousands of dollars.
DMB Financial has helped over 30,000 customers consolidate and settle over one billion dollars worth of debt. DMB Financial has a 5-star BBB customer rating for its exceptional track record and is ranked among Inc company profile 5000. Customer reviews have also been great. Tia P. from Texas says, “They do exactly what they say they’ll do. It does take time but I have no complaints so far.”
Highlights
- Reduce your debt by 40-60%.
- Pay off all of your debts from a single monthly payment.
- Get a free consultation and plan.
Pros
- Accredited by the AFCC and AIPDA.
- 5-star BBB customer rating and member of Inc 5000.
- Free consultation and planning.
Cons
- Does not provide service to all 50 U.S. states.
- No mention of an estimated amount of debt reduction you can anticipate or how much DMB charges you as fees.
How We Chose the Best Debt Settlement Companies
We virtually handpicked the five best debt consolidation companies from a confusing multitude, spending weeks studying every company in the business. We started our search for the best by probing into their reputation and standing in the business. The other points we looked into while choosing the best debt settlement companies were:
- Their rate of success in consolidation and settlement of debts.
- Their areas of specialization. By this, we mean what kind of debts the companies work with. We found most of these companies deal with credit card debts, and only a few among them also settle student loans, medical loans, and unpaid taxes.
- We ensured the debt consolidation companies were certified by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Financial Counseling Association of America.
- We checked their reputation in the market, reliability, and fees for their services.
- We read the reviews and ratings they received from their clients, which helped us immensely in making our selection. We selected the best based on the client reviews and ratings.
Our selection was shaped largely by the quality of service a debt consolidation company usually offers. Companies that provide average or poor services are not the kind of firms we wanted to recommend. And obviously, we did not consider such companies. We tried to fish out the best and most effective ones who could consolidate and settle all of your outstanding debts and confer a decent credit score of over 750 or more.
The five companies that finally met our criteria are the best we could find. They are reputable, reliable, effective, have all necessary certifications, are well-reviewed and well-rated, and charge a reasonable fee for their services.
The Guide to Finding the Right Debt Consolidation Loan & Settlement Company
In the period leading to the economic downturn of 2008, a lot of debt consolidation and settlement companies worsened an already deteriorating economy. The situation warranted the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and a host of checks and balances to protect both the debtors and the creditors from the growing unethical business practices of many debt consolidations and debt settlement companies. The reforms CFPB brought in made the business of debt settlement more transparent and helpful to people in need of the services.
Still, unfortunately, not all of the players of this sector abide by the rules in words and spirit. Only a few do, and they are the companies you should approach to settle your financial burdens. The key, therefore, lies in finding the right and ethical company.
This section of the article is designed to guide you in finding the company you are searching for. Here are some of the points you must consider before hiring the services of any company.
Verify the Reputation of the Company
The best way perhaps is to approach the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for this. Write to the agency and ask them if there has ever been any complaint against the company you want to work with to settle your outstanding debts. You can also write to your State Attorney General asking the same question about the company in question.
Read the reviews given by clients about the company on some reputable third-party websites, and you will find many clients talking about their experiences of working with the company. These reviews will enable you to form an idea about the company’s working modules, efficacy, transparency, and honesty.
Upfront Fees
In 2010, the Federal Trade Commission prohibited all debt consolidation and settlement companies from taking any upfront fee from clients and from giving consultation over the phone. These companies can charge a fee only after serving you. So, check out this matter before hiring any company or buying any service.
Check Out the Company’s Track Record and Experience
You must know the company’s track records and experience before you hire it for the settlement of your debts. Always opt for a company with a good track record of success, and the success of a company depends on the experience of its counselors.
Settlement Time
Debt consolidation and settlement cannot be done overnight. The process takes time but not years on end. Usually, the process takes 24 to 48 months, and a company that takes more than four years is inefficient and should not be considered.
Benefits You Can Derive from Debt Consolidation
When you use your credit card balance to buy anything, like a new home or a new car or take a personal loan for education, you walk into the murky world of debt, which often spirals into an unmanageable proportion unless you know the secrets of handling them. Debt consolidation offers you a unique strategy that can make the management of all of your debts simple. In fact, debt consolidation can bring you a host of advantages, which include:
- If you are using more than one credit card, you can turn multiple debts into one and make the servicing easy. This system or arrangement will lighten the weight on your shoulder and may also make you pay less. Debt consolidation will not wipe out any portion of your debt but will spare you from remembering all of those multiple payment dates. With all of your debts turned into one source, you can concentrate on one date.
- Debt consolidation may allow you to pay less interest. Unsecured debts, incurred especially from using multiple credit cards, make your debt pile up. Consolidation of all debts can reduce your interest payment by 4 to 7%, and that is a big advantage of debt consolidation.
- The method can even improve your credit score up to 827, which is excellent.
- Consolidating all of your debts into one will lessen the stress on you. You will then be able to enjoy life better.
- For many, paying out the dues incurred from using credit cards stretches for years on end. The creditors do not mind the repayment stretching endlessly as long as the debtor keeps paying the interest. For them, it is an earning. So, the consolidation of multiple debts into one helps the debtors to pay out the outstanding significantly quicker.
FAQs: Debt Consolidation Loans with Low Credit Score
Q. How do debt consolidation and settlement companies work?
The primary aim of debt consolidation companies is to save your money in servicing your debts. They do it by combining multiple debts into one so you do not have to remember so many dates. You can repay all of your debts by paying the monthly installment only once every month.
Most debt consolidation companies also sell debt settlement programs. These companies negotiate with the creditors and wipe out your debt by paying only a portion of what you owe. In this process, you end up paying less, saving at least 30%.
Q Are the services of debt consolidation and debt settlement companies expensive?
Debt consolidation and settlement programs can be expensive if you, by mistake, walk into the traps of some shady companies. But, if you work with good and reputable companies, you can go through your journey to freedom from debts with a happy memory and a cherishing experience.
Usually, reputable companies are honest, and their business policies are transparent. Their service fee usually ranges between 18 and 25% of your enrolled debt. Even after paying the service fee, you will save a substantial amount of money after the consolidation and settlement of your debts.
But, buying the services of debt consolidation and settlement companies can be expensive if you work with small and lesser-known shady companies. Such firms will fleece you and will make you spend more for many of their hidden charges. So, beware of such companies and work with reputable firms only.
Q. Do debt consolidation programs affect the credit scores of individuals?
No, working with debt consolidation and settlement firms will not affect your credit score or lower it if you buy the services of a reputable establishment. Creditable firms do not resort to any dubious methods to consolidate and settle the debts of their clients, as their mode of function is transparent and legal. Working with them, on the contrary, may jack up your credit scores and reinforce your credibility. This, however, may not happen if you work with a questionable company.
Q. What are debt consolidation and debt settlement?
Debt consolidation and debt settlement are the two sides of the same coin. They are programs designed to help individuals and companies come out of their debts through honorable negotiation. Debt consolidation is a program designed to combine multiple debts, primarily incurred using more than one credit card.
Debt settlement is also a financial program designed to wipe off or settle outstanding debts by paying out a portion of the loan amount still owed by the debtors.
Both debt consolidation and debt settlement programs aim to save the debtors money and make repayment more manageable.
Q. Are there any alternatives to debt consolidation and debt settlement?
Technically, there is an alternative available. You can declare yourself bankrupt. The creditors can confiscate your assets, liquidate them, and distribute the cash among themselves. Declaration of bankruptcy is legal and will provide you immunity from lawsuits and those irritating collection calls.
Declaring yourself bankrupt may not always be a good option and never to most people. It may affect your credit scores, which will remain on record for at least ten years. Moreover, if you take this drastic step, you may have to begin your life all over again from scratch, as you may have to wash your hands of all of your assets and properties.
Q. Who should avail of the services offered by debt consolidation and settlement companies?
The answer is simple. Obviously, people who are into debts and have exhausted all means of repayment or settling their outstanding are the ones who would avail of the services offered by debt consolidation and settlement companies. You may have been regular in servicing your debts initially, but, with time and under some compelling situations, your regularity might have taken a beating. Personal loans may have assumed humongous proportions, and repayment has become a challenge. It is then you may need to avail of the services of debt consolidation and settlement companies.
Conclusion
Can there be anything more blissful and joyous than a life free of debts? We guess not. You, too, can have a debt-free life if you can simply change the way you look at money and use it. There are hundreds and thousands of families like Eric’s. His family is debt-free now but was not five years ago. He, too, was in deep debt but paid off $200,000 because he worked with a debt consolidation company. The company showed him an alternative way to live and changed how he looked at the money earlier.
To enjoy a life free of debts, you need to make a studied decision, walk into the office of a good debt consolidation company, and follow the experts’ advice to go through the journey to become 100% debt-free. And, in four or five years, you can enjoy the life Eric is now experiencing.
The five companies we have mentioned and reviewed in this article are the most qualified we found to become partners in your journey to a debt-free life. You can avail of the services of any one of the companies we have listed. They will take you out of your debts and help you regain control over your money, help to build wealth, and gain back the confidence you may have lost.
