Debt Management Advice & Blogs: DebtMD (2024)

FAQs

Is debt management legit? ›

Some debt management companies are legitimate nonprofit credit counseling agencies, but many aren't. Common debt management scams and abuses by scammer credit counseling agencies include: failing to pay creditors on time under the terms of the plan. not paying creditors at all and keeping the deposits you make.

Cons of debt settlement

Creditors are not legally required to settle for less than you owe. Stopping payments on your bills (as most debt relief companies suggest) will damage your credit score. Debt settlement companies can charge fees. If over $600 is settled, the IRS will view this debt as a taxable income.

Use a debt consolidation loan

With a debt consolidation loan, you borrow money from a lender and roll all of those debts into one loan with a single interest rate. This allows you to make one monthly payment rather than paying multiple creditors.

Even if you're in a DMP, your creditors may still record that you've missed payments, as you'll be paying less than you agreed to when you took out the original credit agreement. This will mean you could find it harder to get credit while you're making reduced payments and for some time afterwards.

Debt relief will also often give you a fixed payment plan and a set payoff date, which can also make it worth considering — as streamlining your payments can make it easier to manage while helping you save money on interest. "One of the biggest advantages of going through a debt relief program is the savings.

Credit card debt can be overwhelming — but it can also be forgiven in some cases. If you have a significant amount of debt compared to your income, you may qualify for credit card debt forgiveness, so consider reaching out to a debt settlement company for help.

There is a high probability that you will be affected for a couple of months or even years after settling your debts. However, a debt settlement does not mean that your life needs to stop. You can begin rebuilding your credit score little by little. Your credit score will usually take between 6-24 months to improve.

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.

Debt consolidation doesn't automatically close your credit card accounts. But if keeping an account open tempts you to rack up more charges, then it might be a good idea to close the account.

You can aim to include all debts in a debt management plan, but not all debt will qualify. Mortgages and other secured debts are not covered by a debt management plan, but in many cases it makes sense to include all of the debt that qualifies.

What is the best debt relief company? ›

National Debt Relief is the best overall debt settlement company, according to our research. National Debt Relief's low-cost fee structure and referral service make it a top option for people struggling with debts. Our highest-rated debt settlement companies all charge similar fees, ranging from 15% to 25% of the debt.

It will take 24 months to pay off $2,000 with payments of $100 per month, assuming the average credit card APR of around 18%. The time it takes to repay a balance depends on how often you make payments, how big your payments are and what the interest rate charged by the lender is.

Let's say you have a balance of $20,000, and your credit card's APR is 20%, which is near the current average. If your card issuer uses the interest plus 1% calculation method, your minimum payment will be $533.33. That's quite a bit of money to pay for your credit card bill every month.

You'll need to send your debt management plan provider a payment each month, usually by Direct Debit. The DMP provider will then pay your creditors on your behalf according to the terms of the plan. You don't have to worry about contacting your creditors to reduce your payments; this'll be done for you.

The accounts you are repaying your DMP through will already be listed on your credit report, and once the DMP is complete the marker will be removed and the accounts themselves will be marked as closed – they will then remain listed for six years from the settled date.

Send the agency a letter by mail asking them to confirm their debt in writing. Search for the company name on the internet, review their website, call their number, etc. Do your homework. If they refuse to answer all of your questions, there's a good chance you're in the middle of a scam.

A debt management plan (DMP) isn't legally binding, so you can cancel it if you feel it isn't working for you.