Debt Help Group Ltd review 2023 | File A Scam complaint (2024)

FAQs

How do I know if a debt settlement company is legitimate? ›

They Ask for Fees Upfront

This is the most obvious sign of a debt relief scam. If the person/company offers to help get rid of your debt but first you have to pay them a fee, they're probably lying to you. Cut off contact and file a complaint with us.

There are also debt relief companies that will negotiate for you. This, however, typically involves paying a fee to the company that's helping you to get loan relief or credit card debt relief. Also, keep in mind that you typically need to be past due before a creditor will consider settling a debt.

They promise to offer financial help or even invalidate your debts. Before you can get the debt relief offered, you're asked to provide personal and financial details. Scammers commonly ask for your full name, address, and Social Security Number (SSN) — anything they can use to steal your identity.

Scammers use robocalls, social media ads, and emails to contact victims and convince them to share personal information and pay fees to receive the nonexistent benefits. Any communication referencing the Relief Advisory Approval Department or claiming you are guaranteed government funds is an attempted scam.

Whatever you do, don't ignore the lawsuit. Even if you don't think you owe that debt. Responding to a debt collector's lawsuit will likely put you in a better position, cost you less in fees, and give you more control over how you repay the debt.

You'll want to include specific information concerning your account in your debt settlement letter. List your name, account information, the original creditor of the debt, and the debt collection agencies identifying information. Include the current amount you owe and the amount you'd like to offer to settle the debt.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you've made the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full time for a qualifying employer.

While you can still use your open credit card accounts after debt consolidation, consumers should do so with caution. If you do use your credit card after debt consolidation, be sure to pay off your balance regularly.

National Debt Relief, a debt settlement firm, negotiates with creditors to reduce consumer debt. They offer free consultations and will customize plans to make debt payoff affordable. Depending on factors like your debt size, budget and negotiated amount, you could pay off your debts within 24 to 48 months.

It is not uncommon today for people to be pursued by debt collectors for money they don't owe. This occurs for several reasons: the original creditor may have made an accounting error, you may be a victim of identity theft, or the creditor may have found the wrong person with a similar name.

How do I stop debt scam calls? ›

They're likely contacting you because they're trying to reach a person who may owe a specific debt. Debt collectors can include collection agencies or lawyers who collect debts as part of their business. There are also companies that buy past-due debts from creditors or other businesses and then try to collect them.

Mortgage relief scammers falsely claim that, for a fee (typically hundreds or thousands of dollars paid up-front), they will negotiate with consumers' mortgage lenders or servicers to obtain a loan modification or other relief to avoid delinquency or foreclosure.

Companies may also charge fees for opening and managing the savings account required to make payments. Repayment timeline: It typically takes between two to four years to complete a debt settlement program. However, this is based on the total amount of debt and creditors you have.

You can tell if a debt collector is legitimate by requesting they provide their information, including their license number, so you can confirm it. You can also ask for a validation notice, which debt collectors are required by law to send to you.

In almost all cases, it's better to hire a reputable attorney rather than a debt settlement company if you want help negotiating debt settlements. A lawyer can negotiate on your behalf, defend you in court if you get sued, and tell you about your legal options.

The money you pay into a settlement account is yours! Money that a debt settlement company asks you to set aside in an “escrow” or “settlement” account belongs to you. You may cancel the account at any time, and the escrow company must refund all of your money minus any fees the settlement company legally earned.