Please contact us if you feel like you have a company that should be on this list.

1. Credit Answers

Credit Answers is a big outfit based out of Plano Texas that has a BBB rating of F.  Although the BBB is not the beacon of truth it once used to be, it still is a general indicator of a company’s integrity.

Credit Answers is currently running radio ads that claim that because of all the government bailouts of financial firms, you now have a “right to settle your debt for a fraction of what you owe”.  First of all, you don’t really have any rights to demand a settlement.  As a debtor, your only rights are outlined in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

For Credit Answers to mislead consumers into thinking they can automatically get settlements on their huge credit card balances is deceitful, and really will only get Credit Answers into more trouble when they can’t fulfill their customers expectations.

For more information, read our review of Credit Answers.

2. Credit Solutions

Another debt settlement giant out of Texas, Credit Solutions also has an F rating with the Better Business Bureau.  Several reports indicate that Credit Solutions customers are being sued by their creditors and Credit Solutions wasn’t proactive enough to stop it.

They are also involved in  a fraud lawsuit with the Texas Attorney General and the web is littered with complaints about them.  Our opinion is that’s it’s better to go with a smaller company that can offer you more attention and may be able to respond better to your unique circumstances.

For more information, read our review of Credit Solutions.

3. GHS Solutions

GHS Solutions, based out of Florida, is another debt settlement company with an F rating with the BBB. Several complaints have surfaced of customers being sued by creditors and GHS not refunding their money. Being sued by a creditor is ALWAYS a possibility with any debt settlement company you do business with, but this can be stopped in most cases by working closely with the creditor.  Being sued is usually a result of neglect by the debt settlement company.

GHS also has 125 complaints against them with the BBB and charges higher than average  upfront fees.

For more information, read our review of GHS Solutions.

What are some better debt settlement companies? Check out our top recommended debt settlement companies.

We do our best here at LDB to review debt settlement related companies and bring you the truth about who’s good and who’s bad.  So in that spirit, based on our research, personal experiences and reader experiences, we’re going to tell you who are the top 3 legitimate, trustworthy and reliable full service debt settlement companies.

What is a “full-service” debt settlement company?  The most basic definition is a company that will negotiate with your creditors on your behalf. You pay them a monthly fee or a performance-based fee and they do pretty much all the talking and negotiating for you. 

Top 3 Recommended Full Service Debt Settlement Companies

1. Consumer Recovery Network

Consumer Recovery Network is one of the few solid and reputable full-service companies left out there. Michael Bovee is the founder and has been a pioneer in the debt settlement industry for 14 years.  The company’s approach to solving debt problems for consumers involves one-on-one interaction combined with consumer education and financial coaching.  CRN’s main goal is to first get the customer out of debt, then help teach them to maintain good financial habits.

Every employee at CRN who works directly with customers has at least 10 years of experience and CRN is a BBB Accredited Business with an A Rating.

Because Consumer Recovery Network has high ethical standards, a focus on consumer rights, and a long history of satisfied customers, it has earned our recognition as a Top Debt Settlement Company.

2. Debt Shield

Debt Shield is a full service debt settlement company out of Maryland that stands out of the crowd, based on their high customer satisfaction ratings.  They are a member of USOBA (US Organizations for Bankruptcy Alternatives), TASC (The Association of Settlement Companies) and the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators.

Debt Shield is more of a traditional debt settlement firm, in that you pay a monthly amount into a 3rd party savings account until you have enough saved for a settlement, then Debt Shield will negotiate with your creditor on your behalf. While this process has risks, Debt Shield has proven that they are one of the best at executing it.

With all the new scrutiny on the debt settlement industry, Debt Shield remains one of the most reputable and trustworthy businesses in the industry.  Their well-earned good reputation and high level of community involvement has landed Debt Shield a place as one of LDB’s top Debt Settlement Companies.

Check out our full review of Debt Shield.

3. CareOne Debt Relief Services

CareOne is a multi-faceted debt services company with an unbeatable A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau.  The debt settlement plan from CareOne‘s service providers is geared toward those people who can’t afford their debt management plan and is backed by a national law firm.

Along with providing settlement services, CareOne also offers a debt consolidation service and bankruptcy assistance through a nationally recognized law firm.

Since CareOne Debt Relief Services has an excellent customer satisfaction rating, an A+ rating from the BBB, and a range of debt relief services to offer customers, it has earned it’s status as a top debt settlement company.

Check out out our full review of  CareOne Debt Relief Services.

If you have worked with a full service (meaning they do the negotiating for you) debt settlement company and you’ve been happy with the results, please leave a comment or contact us with details and we will do a full review.

This list is subject to change as the industry and companies change. For more information on how our Ratings work and our disclaimer, see Debt Relief Company Ratings Explained.

• Customer Satisfaction (volume of complaints, volume of satisfied customers, includes scraping the web for complaints)
• Years in Business (a somewhat important indicator as bad companies don’t stay in business too long
• BBB Rating (important, but not as much as years a go)
• Variety of Services (the more services indicated the company is more vested in helping clients succeed)
• Legal Actions and Investigations (how many and the nature of legal complaints/lawsuits the company has faced)

With these main factors in mind, here are the ratings:

A company receiving this rating has good customer service score, has been in business for more that 7 years, has a positive BBB Rating (or no BBB Rating exists), is a member of one or more industry organizations, and has little or no legal actions against the company. Chances are that you’ll have a decent experience with a company with this rating.

This type of company is either new or is a mixed bag of positive and negative reviews. This neutral rating reflects the company’s unknown track record and lack of independent 3rd party information relating to it’s history, business practices and customer satisfaction record.  Our recommendation: Proceed with Caution.

A company with this rating has shown disregard for it’s customers with a poor customer satisfaction history.  It also has run into legal issues on several fronts and usually has an very low BBB rating such as a D or an F.  Avoid doing business with these companies because you will most likely be disappointed with the results.  You may lose money or you may end up with legal trouble yourself.

Disclaimer*

Our ratings reflect a collection of 3rd party and customer reviews and anecdotes in addition to well documented facts like BBB ratings and published lawsuits and investigations.  Our ratings are purely informational and are intended to supplement your research in deciding whether or not to do business with a company.  We encourage you not to base any decision on these ratings alone.

LeaveDebtBehind.com provides these ratings for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice.  The information contained on this site is aimed at a general audience, and does not attempt to offer specific advice to your specific circumstances. You are encouraged to consult with an independent financial adviser before making any decision to do business with any company.

As required by FTC regulations, please note that we may have a financial relationship with the companies mentioned on this site. We frequently review products or services however, we do not accept compensation in any form in exchange for positive reviews, and the reviews found on this site represent the opinions of the author.

For more information, please read our Disclaimer.

is a debt settlement company for individuals who wish to avoid filing personal bankruptcy by negotiating a mutually agreeable settlement on your unsecured debts. As most other debt settlement programs New Era Debt Settlement Program is designed to get you out of debt in less time than debt consolidation or credit counseling, with clients paying back only a portion of the balance, usually 50% or less through their program.

Here are some quick facts about New Era Debt Solutions:

Company Founded: Unknown

Years In Business: 8 years per website

Number of Employees: Unknown

BBB Rating: F

BBB Complaints: 17

Fee Information: Based on performance and debt settlement results.

Monthly Payments Available?: Yes, third party escrow company recommended.

Source of Funds: Client payments

Fee Structure: New Era charges 15% of the account balance that they negotiate on your behalf. Example provided on website “So, for example, if you owe $5,000 on a particular account, and we negotiate a debt reduction to $2,000, that means we’ve saved you $3,000. Our negotiation fee would then be 15% of the starting balance, or $750. So you would pay $2,000 to the creditor, $750 to New Era, and that debt would be gone forever!”

In addition to settlement fees you can also expect a one-time set up fee and a small monthly maintenance charge.

Avg. % Settlement of Amount Owed: On average 50% or more of debt is settled.

Refund Policy: yes

Minimum Debt Required: $10,000

About the Company:

I was unable to find any information on this settlement company via the BBB so the information contained in this review is based on information available on the company website. The information provided describes a debt settlement company who assists their clients by negotiating debt on your behalf. This company is a member of TASC as well as a member of the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators.

The Program:

Once enrolled in the New Era Debt Settlement Program their specialists will negotiate with your creditors to lower your debt allowing you to pay back only a portion of the balance, usually 50% or less. The company is forthcoming in offering information regarding the possibility of lawsuits and the damage that debt settlement has on your credit.

Program Cost:

Not including one time set up fees and month maintenance charges the cost of this program will depend on the original amount of debt and the result of the negotiations. New Era has a performance based fee structure with you paying a fee for each debt settled versus a specific fee upfront which is somewhat common with several settlement companies. My only question would be this, if you are paying based on the original balance- how does their performance or how much they settle affect their fees? Granted they are charging you per account based on “performance” but the amount will not vary since it is based on your original balance regardless if they settle 40% or 60% of that balance.

Website Experience:

My experience using this website was a pleasant one compared to some other companies I have reviewed. The website is professional in appearance with many different pages to gather information. The information contained was fairly forthcoming for a company in this industry listing most of the important facts that are relevant to debt settlement as a form of eliminating debt. That being said as with most debt settlement companies you will get the most information by contacting the company directly for a free consultation to see how the program would work in your specific situation.

If you have done business with New Era Debt Solutions, please post a comment below.

Here are some quick facts about Freedom Debt Relief:

Company Founded: December 2002

Years In Business: 6

Number of Employees: 133 per BBB report/over 500 per website

BBB Rating: F

BBB Complaints: 153 in the last 36 months

Fee Information: Retainer fee/Service Fee

Escrow Available?: yes

Source of Funds: client payments

Fee Structure:Retainer Fee included in monthly payment for first 3-4 months of program followed by service fee for approximately 15 months which is also included in your monthly payment.

Avg. % Settled: They do not guarantee any settlements but strive for 50% of the amount owed.

Refund Policy: yes- if at program completion your total debt reduction is less than 3 times the Service Fees you have paid to Freedom Debt Relief they will return a portion of the Service Fees. The amount of the refund will be calculated so that the amount of Service Fees we retain is equal to 1/3 of your total debt reduction. Retainer Fees are generally non-refundable.

Minimum Debt Required: not specified

About the Company:

Based on information provided on the company website Freedom Debt Relief was founded in 2002 and currently employs about 500 employees based out of three offices located in San Mateo, CA, Sacramento, CA and Phoenix AZ. The Better Business Bureau has a report for this company with a rating of F, noting that the company is currently operating after the founders received a cease and desist order from the Department of Corporation in the state of California. You may read more about order from the BBB here. Other information listed on the BBB report indicates the company received 153 complaints in the last three years with 144 of those complaints currently resolved and 9 that have been administratively closed. Freedom Debt Relief is an accredited member of The Association of Settlement Companies and also has a report available through Dun and Bradstreet.

The Program:

The Debt Reduction Program offered by Freedom Debt Relief is based on an increasingly popular form of debt reduction known as debt negation or debt settlement. Designed for consumers struggling with serious amounts of debt this program is intended to reduce your debt by approximately 50% by negotiating with your creditors for a lump sum payment less than the actual balance you owe. To begin the program you must contact the company for a free consultation to assess your financial situation and determine if this form of debt relief is right for you. If the program is the right fit for your situation you and Freedom Debt Relief will determine a dollar amount that you can save each month toward debt negotiations. Once settlements are made (which will likely take several months to see results) you will be notified of said settlement by a “good news” notification letting you know that debt has been successfully negotiated.

Program Cost:

From the information provided I was unable to determine how the Retainer and Service fees are calculated. If I were to wager a guess based on other companies in the same industry the overall amount would be based on the amount of debt you currently owe since it is paid at the beginning of the program.

Website Experience:

The website is professional and easy to navigate. It offers several pages of information on how debt settlement works. In the FAQ’s section many important factors are covered explaining both the potentially positive and negative results of entering this program. Although the company doesn’t advertise information gleaned from a simple internet search (BBB report) they do provide adequate contact information so that a person interested in doing a more “in-depth” search has little difficulty in finding more information. Since I have reviewed companies that don’t provide these tidbits of information to help individuals looking for more information this was appreciated when looking for more information.

Conclusion

Overall this looks like a company to stay away from.  I base this on a BBB rating of F and a seriously front-loaded fee structure.  If your looking for a more reputable debt settlement company, try Debtshield or Hoffman Brinker.

Homeland Credit Solutions is a debt settlement company based in Bronyx, New York and has been incorporated for less than one year. HCS is attempting to set themselves apart from the many other debt settlement companies flooding the industry with one intention in mind: to be the true American choice for debt settlement services.

Here are some quick facts about Homeland Credit Solutions (HSC):

Company Founded:- January 1, 2009

Years In Business:- less than one year

Number of Employees:- unknown

BBB Rating:- F

BBB Complaints:- 0 complaints in last 36 month reporting period

Fee Information:- unknown

Escrow Available?:- yes

Source of Funds:- client payments

Fee Structure:- unknown

Avg. % Settled:- 40%-60% of total debt

Refund Policy:- N/A

Minimum Debt Required:- $7,000 and up of unsecured debt

About the Company:

Incorporated in the state of New York in 2009, HCS is new company on the debt settlement scene. They do have a file on the Better Business Bureau, however information is limited due to their young age. The company has a current rating of F on the BBB due to the very industry in which they work and the lack of history or the length of time they have been operating. With only 8 months of operation under their belt, the BBB has not processed any customer complaints at the time of this review. They are not yet affiliated with The Association of Settlement Companies and list no other affiliations on their company website.

The Program:

The program appears to be the standard debt settlement program. The company will negotiate with your creditors on your behalf once you have accumulated enough savings to reach a settlement.

Website Experience:

This company website jumps all over the place in terms of information and answering questions. To be quite honest at some points I feel the information is actually copied from other debt settlement company websites. In the FAQ section there is an answer which uses the acronym FDR (possibly another debt settlement company such as Franklin Debt Relief?) instead of Homeland Credit Solutions (HCS). Of course I have no way of knowing where they came up with their content or the truth behind it, but it comes across a bit shady to me.

The actual design of the website like many others in the industry requires a “hunt and peck” type search where information is layered in links and various different pages. If you are not thorough in your review of the site and the information provided, there is a very good chance you will miss important information buried on the site.

With just under one year of experience it is hard to say if this company is still struggling to find its niche in the industry or if they are a fly-by-night operation that has not real foundation to become a leader in debt settlement. Only time will tell, however if I were considering a company I would hope for some more upfront easy to find information on the company website. Another indication this company has seen changes already is the website listed on the BBB is not longer being used (the phone numbers match the company website that I used for this review, therefore they should be one and the same).

With little experience, history or the ability to review previous (or current client) experiences, it is definitely hard to put a good spin on this company. I think they could streamline their website and only include information that is relevant to debt settlement and any other services they may provide. In the end, I was left feeling like I had too much information, none of which was truly relevant to the company or the process they offer to eliminate your debt.

Conclusion

Credit Answers is a debt settlement company based in Plano, Texas. With an original start date in January of 1988, this company has been around for quite a long time, helping consumers get back on track financially. If you are willing to give them ten minutes of your time, you too can learn more about their services and if they can help you become debt free.

Here are some quick facts about Credit Answers, LLC:

Company Founded:- January 1988

Years In Business:- 21

BBB Rating:- F

BBB Complaints:- 87

Fee Information:- unknown

Escrow Available?:- no

Source of Funds:- client savings

Fee Structure:- unknown

Avg. % Settled:- not specified

Refund Policy:- yes- limited and very specific

Minimum Debt Required:- $7,500 unsecured debt

About the Company:

The Better Business Bureau has a file for this company that included the following information. They have been in business for 21 years with a current rating of F. The BBB offers the following reasons for this rating:

• concerns about the industry in which the business operates

• the number of complaints reported against the company

• Credit Answer’s failure to respond to one of the complaints

Additional information that contributes to this negative rating is the companies inability or unwillingness to fix the underlying cause of many of the complaints. Of the 87 complaints reported the top three issues are related to customer service, refund or exchange policy and billing or collection problems. Although the company makes an effort to resolve most complaints, it would seem the root of the problem remains unchanged.

Credit Answers is a member of The Association of Settlement Companies and the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators.

The Program:

To get started with Credit Answers debt settlement program you simply fill out their online form or call for a free consultation. Their program is standard with Credit Answers negotiating settlements with your creditors for less than the amount you owe. I was unable to clarify if you actually create a settlement account with them or if you save on your own. It appears that you save and send the money for settlements on your own.

What they do is offer a debt specialist who will help you create a workable budget including the amount you have to save each month and deal with the creditors on your behalf. Credit Answers claims to offer Guaranteed Results, however be sure to read the fine print and understand the limitations before enrolling in the program. I was unable to find specific fee information which means any potential client should inquire as to how Credit Answers collects their fees and how the fees are determined.

Website Experience :

At first glance this website comes across a bit more like an advertisement than others I have reviewed in the past. There is no doubt you will find plenty of information on their website, however most of it is generic and having to do with debt in general. While helpful, it can be a bit distracting for visitors who are looking for specific information about the company and the program they offer. The BBB has a file on this company with a start date of 1988, however the website claims they have been in business since 2006.

Like most websites that offer testimonials, calculators, articles, tips and a zillion other tidbits of information, finding the important information is a bit of a challenge. They do have a FAQ section which addresses some of the issues that potential clients should be aware of and they also offer a “settlement info” section which lists the very real risks and negative consequences of debt settlement. While I appreciate the effort to provide this information, it would be nice to see it in a more prevalent location. When there are dozens of links and pages to visit on a website, the chances of a visitor overlooking or not finding this information is not out of the question.

While searching for more information on this company I found fee information reported as 12% of the debt enrolled in the program with a $49.95 monthly maintenance fee. Please note that information has not been confirmed and was not found on the company website. I walk away with mixed feeling on this company. I wish their website was less busy and focused more on the company and the program, however providing too much information is not a crime. It does however often serve as an attempt to distract potential clients from the more important issues that should be addressed. Elsewhere on the web I did not find any ranting ex-clients or negative reviews.

The BBB rating is a bit of a concern, not by the rating itself as many debt settlement companies end up having a lower rating due to the industry itself but rather the fact that they have made no attempts to correct the problems reported by clients. It would seem if you have complaint after complaint about a specific issue, a reputable business would try to fix the underlying problem for the sole purpose of satisfying customers. Since they choose not to address the problem, I have to wonder how much they really care about providing satisfactory results in other areas.

Check out Credit Answers here: Credit Answers

Capital Debt Settlement is a debt management company based in Fresno, California. Operating since 2003, this company has over six years experience helping consumers overcome debilitating debt in their lives. They started out focusing on debt settlement but have since added debt consolidation as an option for consumers trying to get their finances back on track. Their goal is to use the experience and knowledge in the credit industry to help you regain control off your finances and start fresh without the burden of debt holding you back from achieving your financial goals.

Here are some quick facts about Capital Debt Settlement:

Company Founded:- April 2003

Years In Business:- 6

BBB Rating:- D-

BBB Complaints:- 2 complaints reported in three year reporting period

Fee Information:- unknown

Escrow Available?:- yes

Source of Funds:- client payments

Fee Structure:- see below (the program); fees vary per person and program

Avg. % Settled:- 30%-70%

Refund Policy:- unknown

Minimum Debt Required:- unknown

About the Company:

A file for Capital Debt Settlement can be found on the Better Business Bureau. The BBB currently has this company listed with a rating of D- with the reason for this rating based on the industry in which the company conducts business. In the last reporting period (36 month) the BBB processed a total of two complaints against this company both of which are currently listed as closed and resolved. Of the two complaints one has been resolved with acceptance from the consumer, the other has been addressed and resolved without acceptance from the consumer.

The company website also lists the following memberships or affiliations: The Association of Settlement Companies, International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a report available through Dunn and Bradstreet.

The Program:

Debt counseling program- They offer the standard program which includes creating a repayment plan with your creditors to get your accounts in good standing while lowering interest rates and waiving fees and penalties. They do this by negotiating better terms with your creditors and establishing an affordable monthly payment which you send directly to them. In turn they will pay your creditors accordingly helping you keep your accounts in order and current. Clients enrolled in the debt counseling program can expect to repay their debt in full while saving money through reduced interest rates which will allow more of your payment to go toward the principle balance you owe. Clients enrolled in this program can expect to pay an upfront fee as well as monthly “management” payments throughout the program.

Debt settlement- This program has an entirely different process, end result and is offered only to clients who are unable to make their minimum monthly payments. Capital Debt Settlement will negotiate with your creditors on your behalf to reach a settlement of 30%-70% of the original amount owed. In the meantime, you will be making one monthly payment into a FDIC insured account which will be used for future settlements. Once an account has been settled, you are free from that debt and able to move on to the next account until all debt has been eliminated. Fee information will be disclosed prior to enrollment and include a series of payments throughout the first year and a half of the program.

To get started you simply have to fill out a form on the company website or contact Capital Debt Settlement via a toll free number listed on the site. You will then be eligible for a free consultation where you can determine which program is right for your specific situation.

Website Experience:

Unlike many reviews where I form an immediate “like” or “dislike” opinion, I find myself on the fence after visiting this website. The website itself is pretty basic, lacking the nifty tools, gadgets, newsletters, articles and various other information that is often found on websites in this industry. That is not necessarily a negative however, as it is more important what information is provided versus what is not present. In fact, when it comes to providing important and necessary information this website does a good job of covering important facts associated with the debt settlement process at least. The website is relatively easy to navigate with most information easily found in the most logical location (again, not always the case with many websites).

I have found a few reviews in other locations online with mixed results. Some people claim they have worked with the company and are pleased with the results, while others complain that they are not satisfied with the program in which they enrolled. As I have mentioned time and time again when reviewing companies, it is hard to determine if clients are unhappy because the company has not performed according to contract or clients do not fully understand what to expect when enrolling in a program.

Therefore I am not in a position to recommend clients either consider or steer clear of this company based on the information I have reviewed. I will say that being in business for six years, having only two complaints in three years and the fact that their website makes no attempts to mislead or confuse visitors speaks in their favor in my book. Of course don’t take my word for it, do your own research before deciding if this company is right for your financial situation and please let us know if you have experience with this company.

Conclusion

Total Debt Services is a debt settlement company based in Plano, Texas. This company was founded long before the recent economic crisis at a time when debt settlement was considered for some a service to help consumers clear up outstanding debts in order to improve their credit or qualify for loans. Times have definitely changed and while the process can be used to settle older debt that is bringing your credit score down, most people seeking this service today are on the brink of bankruptcy. Total Debt Services also has two sister companies providing mortgage loan and insurance services.  This review will focus on the debt settlement program.

Here are some quick facts about Total Debt Services (TDS):

Company Founded:- April 2002

Years In Business:- 7

BBB Rating:- D

BBB Complaints:- 11 in three year reporting period

Fee Information:- unknown

Escrow Available?:- unknown

Source of Funds:- client savings

Fee Structure:- unknown

Avg. % Settled:- 40%-60% (industry standard)

Refund Policy:- limited and very specific- they will refund service fees if they are unable to obtain a negotiated settlement on at least one account within twenty four months (minimum enrollment period)

Minimum Debt Required:- unknown

About the Company:

A file for this company can be found on the Better Business Bureau which gives this company a D rating. The only reason listed for the rating is the business in which Total Debt Services operates. Debt settlement companies are generally viewed in a bad light and have to prove otherwise to earn a higher rating. Based on the last three year reporting period, there have been a total of 11 complaints filed against this company. In the last year six complaints were closed, out of those complaints 3 were resolved and 3 were administratively closed. That means the BBB closed the complaint due to insufficient evidence on either the company or complainants end to support their case. Total Debt Services is a charter TASC member as well as a member of the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators. They are also a member of the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce.

Website Experience:

Debt settlement company reviews normally have a section describing the program offered by the company. In the case of TDS there simply wasn’t any information provided on the website that specifically discussed their program. Unless I’ve missed an entire link, page or section, there simply is no reference to what they do, how they do it, how much it will cost or some of the consequences of enrolling in a debt settlement program. That is disappointing because otherwise I liked the way the website was designed and the ease in which visitors could navigate the information. The information that is provided is useful in helping people learn about debt settlement in general which of course is the first step before considering this as an option for debt relief. With that being said, how is a potential client going to find out more about TDS and their program? Of course you can call or fill out the online form, but some people like to gather fee information and compare companies prior to disclosing their financial information.

It is great to see settlement companies that offer a guarantee and this one does, but be sure to read the fine print to see how you are protected. In this case, they will refund service fees that have been paid if they are unable to negotiate a (as in one) settlement in twenty-four months. Many credit card companies are actually contacting some consumers with their own settlement offer, therefore the likelihood of TDS not getting some form of settlement is unlikely. So who decides what offer is good enough, the client or the settlement company? Overall I liked the “feel” of the site, but was disappointed at the lack of information specific to the company itself.

A brief search online did not turn up any information that jumped off the page about this company. That could be good in this industry where most often dissatisfied clients take to the world wide web to announce their bad experience. In the end, this company (at least their online presence) blends in with many of the other companies in the industry. There are no glaring inaccuracies or blatant lies, however there is little information that couldn’t be found on a thousand other websites. In real life, we know that they have been operating for 7 years which proves they have experience and not some fly-by-night outfit jumping on-board during the post-recession economic fallout.

Also in three years the BBB received only 11 complaints and in the last year 3 out of 6 were administratively closed. This more than likely means the company did try to resolve the issue or at the very least provide proof they operated within the scope of the contract therefore prompting the BBB to close the complaint. For this reason it is very important for all clients to read the entire contract and more importantly UNDERSTAND what they are agreeing to when enrolling in the program. Otherwise should you find yourself unhappy with the results, cost or consequences of the program you may very well have signed away your rights. This is advice that should be applied to all debt settlement or other financially binding contracts.

Past, present and potential clients who have dealt with this company are encouraged to share their experience by leaving a comment below.

Conclusion

Here are some quick facts about CareOne Debt Relief Services:

Company Founded:- August 2002

Years In Business:- 9

Number of Employees:- 189

BBB Rating:- A

BBB Complaints:- 80 in the last 36 month reporting period

Fee Information:- unknown

Escrow Available?:- unknown

Source of Funds:- client payments

Fee Structure:- unknown

Avg. % Settled:- N/A

Refund Policy:-

Minimum Debt Required:- $2,500 or more unsecured debt (two or more accounts)

About the Company:

CareOne Services, Inc was incorporated in July of 2002 with an original business start date in August of the same year. This is a Better Business Bureau Accredited Business with an A rating. Of the 80 complaints issued against the company in the past three years the top three reasons include: billing or collection issues (20), service issues (19) and customer service issues (14). Out of 80 complaints, 70 were resolved and 10 were administratively closed. Over 4 million people have used this company to resolve their financial problems and get out of debt.

The Program:

Unlike companies that specialize in one area of debt relief, CareOne offers a variety of programs to ensure each unique situation is handled in the best possible manner. They offer debt consolidation through a debt management plan and debt settlement services based on your financial circumstances. To learn more, potential clients are encouraged to either call via a toll free number or fill out a short form online. A credit “coach” will review your information and contact you to determine which options are right for your situation.

Website Experience:

After reviewing the websites of several companies offering various debt relief services, I have come to the conclusion that finding the right amount of information is often hard to accomplish. While many websites offer the bare minimum, the website for CareOne offers…dare I say too much information. Don’t get me wrong, when it comes to selecting a company to help you through tough financial times, more information is always better-however it is possible to have that much information that visitors get lost while navigating the site. That being said, I enjoyed seeing a website that offers a newsletter, tip section, article library, news and quizzes.

Overall the website is very professional and certainly packed full of information. I did not find fee information or any really specific information in regards to the programs this company offers. It was difficult to get a feel for this company as the information provided (while useful in general) was somewhat generic. As with most online reviews, the jury is out as to whether this company has helped others successfully get out of debt. I’ve found several negative reviews but as previously mentioned in other reviews, it is difficult to determine if the company failed to live up to their promises or the clients were unaware of the potential negative consequences of working with a debt relief company.

Potential clients do have the option to receive a free no obligation consultation which provides a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the programs and fee structure of this company. Anyone who have worked with CareOne is encouraged to leave a comment to share their experience with other readers.

Conclusion