Over $10,000 in Credit Card Debt?
There's a Way Out.

Debt settlement (also called debt relief or debt negotiation) is a process where a company negotiates with your creditors to allow you to pay a lump sum that's less than the full amount you owe. Typically, enrolled debts are settled for 30–50% less than the original balance. It's an alternative to bankruptcy for people who can't keep up with minimum payments.

National Debt Relief charges a fee of 15–25% of your total enrolled debt, but only after they successfully negotiate a settlement. There are no upfront fees. You don't pay anything until a debt is resolved — this is required by FTC regulations for debt settlement companies.

Honestly, yes — debt settlement can negatively impact your credit score in the short term. Settled debts are reported as "settled for less than owed" rather than "paid in full." However, if you're already behind on payments, your credit is already being affected. Many people find that after completing a settlement program, they're in a much better position to rebuild their credit. The alternative — years of minimum payments or bankruptcy — often has a worse long-term credit impact.

Most debt settlement programs take 24–48 months, depending on the amount of debt enrolled and your financial situation. National Debt Relief works to negotiate settlements as quickly as possible, and some individual debts may be resolved much sooner.

Yes. National Debt Relief is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating, is a member of the American Fair Credit Council (AFCC), and has helped over 100,000 consumers resolve their debt. They've been in business since 2009. You can verify their BBB accreditation at bbb.org.

Debt settlement works with unsecured debt — credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, private student loans, and certain other unsecured debts. It does not work with secured debts like mortgages or auto loans, federal student loans, or tax debt. You generally need at least $10,000 in qualifying debt to enroll.

Bankruptcy is a legal process that can discharge most debts but stays on your credit report for 7–10 years and involves court proceedings. Debt settlement is a negotiation process that typically resolves in 2–4 years and doesn't require court involvement. Settlement usually has a less severe long-term credit impact than bankruptcy. However, bankruptcy may be the better option for some situations — consult a financial professional to understand your specific case. Compare all your options here.

In most debt settlement programs, you'll redirect the money you'd normally send to creditors into a dedicated savings account instead. This account is used to fund settlement offers. While this strategy is what gives settlement companies leverage to negotiate lower amounts, it does mean your accounts may go delinquent during the process, which can affect your credit score and may result in collection calls. Your debt specialist will walk you through exactly what to expect.