Freedom Debt Relief Review 2023| US News

Freedom Debt Relief assists clients with settling unsecured debts, including:

  • Credit card debt
  • Medical bills
  • Department store card debt
  • Unsecured personal loan debt

The company may offer debt settlement relief for private student loans and some business debts. It does not assist with secured debts, such as auto loans or mortgages, or federal student loans.

You can call a Freedom Debt Relief debt consultant to ask about the program or fill out an online form to see if you are eligible for debt settlement with the company. Once you start working with Freedom Debt Relief, you will make monthly deposits into a dedicated account, with those savings earmarked for paying settlements. Freedom Debt Relief will negotiate with creditors, and you will need to approve any agreement.

Freedom Debt Relief charges a fee typically ranging from 15% to 25% of the total debt in the program, with an average fee of 21.5%. Your fee depends on the amount of debt and your state of residence, and you will only pay the fee after you authorize the settlement and the first payment has been made. Some customers will be able to settle their debts within two to four years.

You may be eligible for debt settlement with Freedom Debt Relief if you have at least $7,500 in unsecured debt. Consumers also must usually be behind on their payments to settle with a creditor. Freedom Debt Relief works with people who face financial hardship that prevents them from making minimum monthly payments on their debts.

Customers with subpar credit can work with Freedom Debt Relief. Debt settlement programs can have a negative impact on your credit, and settled accounts can stay on your credit report for up to seven years.

Freedom Debt Relief operates in 40 states.

Freedom Debt Relief has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Freedom Debt Relief is accredited by the American Fair Credit Council and the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau received 120 complaints in 2022 about Freedom Debt Relief. The company gave a timely response to all but two complaints. Of those complaints, 114 were closed with an explanation, while six were closed with monetary relief, according to the CFPB.

In July 2019, Freedom Debt Relief settled with the CFPB and paid $20 million in restitution plus a $5 million fine in a lawsuit alleging it broke several government rules, including by inappropriately charging fees and misinforming customers.

Current customers can contact Freedom Debt Relief at 800-655-6303, while new customers can call 800-910-0065. You can reach a certified debt consultant Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

Customer service representatives are available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can also email info@freedomdebtrelief.com for a debt consultation and support@freedomdebtrelief.com if you are a current customer.

Potential clients can complete an online questionnaire to see whether they qualify for debt settlement with Freedom Debt Relief. Also, clients can view progress and payments on an online portal.

  • People who have a smaller amount of debt to settle. 
  • People who struggle to make minimum payments on their debt.

Pros:

  • May help reduce the debt you owe.
  • Gives you an actionable plan for moving forward.
  • Could help you avoid bankruptcy.

Cons:

  • Can damage your credit due to withheld debt payments.
  • May end up costing more than paying debt off on your own.
  • Forgiven debt could be taxable income.

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