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National Debt Relief Summary
National Debt Relief is a well-established debt settlement company operating in the U.S. It is best suited for consumers carrying at least $7,500 in unsecured debt. It has no upfront fees, which lowers the barrier to starting the debt settlement process. One of the main drawbacks is its relatively high fee ceiling and the impact on credit score.
National Debt Relief Pros & Cons
Pros
Accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Experienced negotiators work with creditors on your behalf
No upfront fees
Cons
Using service may impact your credit score
Only available for those with $7,500 of debt or more
National Debt Relief at a glance
9.2
Editorial scoreOnline experience
Has learning resources, access to rates, mobile app
10.0
Customer services and support
Award winning
10.0
Geographical availability
40-50 states
8.0
Types of debt covered
Covers most loan types
8.0
Repayment flexibility
Offers flexible, personalized repayment plans & the option for special repayment programs
10.0
National Debt Relief at a Glance
Debt types: Credit cards, personal loans, medical debt, and other unsecured debt
Minimum debt required: $7,500
Settlement fees: 15% to 25% of total enrolled debt
ACDR-accredited? Yes
Estimated program duration: 24 to 48 months
Potential savings: The company claims savings of up to 45% of the total debt before fees
Best for: Customers with a steady income with significant unsecured debts and needing professional negotiation support
National Debt Relief Full Review
National Debt Relief is ahead of many of its competitors, with a strong reputation and customer service record. However, its rating takes a slight hit due to its potential for higher-than-average settlement fees and the lack of a mobile app.
Reputation
National Debt Relief was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in New York City. The company claims to have helped over 1.3 million people get out of debt. With over 15 years in business and an active client base in the hundreds of thousands, National Debt Relief is one of the most tenured and well-known companies in the debt settlement market today.
Expert take: “National Debt Relief is known for its clear, structured approach and ability to set realistic expectations, making it a strong option for borrowers seeking a predictable process.”
— E. J. Simonsen, founder at EIDLexit.
National Debt Relief ratings are reassuring and place it at the top of the debt settlement industry. It has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and its customer score of 4.72 out of 5, based on over 6,350 reviews, compares favorably to the industry average of 4.5. Its Trustpilot rating is 4.7 out of 5, based on over 44,000 reviews.
The company is also accredited by both the Association for Consumer Debt Relief (ACDR) and the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA), signaling adherence to industry standards for transparency and professional conduct. Its no-upfront-fee structure — required across the industry — adds a layer of consumer protection, helping reinforce its reputation as a credible provider.
Eligibility and Services
Eligibility
National Debt Relief is available in 45 states plus Washington, D.C. Its relatively accessible eligibility requirements include a minimum debt of $7,500 — lower than some competitors, though others go as low as $5,000. However, the company handles only unsecured debts, such as credit cards, personal loans, and medical bills, and does not cover student loans, tax debt, child support, utility bills, or business debts.
A steady income is required, as clients must fund a dedicated escrow account each month. There’s no credit score requirement, though, which opens the door for consumers whose scores have already taken a hit from missed payments. The program is best suited for people already behind on payments or nearing default, rather than borrowers who are current and simply want to get ahead.
Expert take: “National Debt Relief … is often best suited for borrowers with more standard debt situations, particularly unsecured debts such as credit cards, due to its structured and program-driven approach.” — Nina Abazyan, banking professional and personal lending specialist
Services
National Debt Relief's core offering is debt settlement, negotiating directly with your creditors to reduce what you owe. The company also provides supplementary support, including debt consolidation loans through partner lenders, plus referrals for credit counseling and bankruptcy.
Compared to competitors, its service range is in the middle of the pack. Some rivals offer similar add-ons, but a handful go further with in-house services such as full debt management plans (DMPs). National Debt Relief doesn’t offer DMPs directly, meaning it won't manage repayments to creditors on your behalf. If preserving your credit score is a priority, nonprofit credit counseling may be a better alternative.
Cost
Free consultation: Yes
Settlement fees: Yes, ranging from 15% to 25%
Setup fees: Yes, $9
Monthly maintenance fees: Yes, $9.85 per month
Other charges: No, but potential tax liability on forgiven debt
National Debt Relief doesn’t charge its fee until a settlement is reached, you approve it, and you’ve made at least one payment.
Settlement fees range from 15% to 25% of enrolled debt, placing it squarely in the middle of the market on price. However, the 25% ceiling isn’t the most competitive, as some providers charge a flat 15% or base fee on the settled amount rather than total enrolled debt. This can result in lower overall costs for some customers.
National Debt Relief reports that customers who complete the program save approximately 45% of their enrolled balances, or 25% after fees, which is in line with industry-average savings of 24%. This may be enough of a net gain if you have a substantial amount of debt that you are struggling to pay down.
National Debt Relief offers a free, no-obligation consultation, which is standard across the industry. It also offers a typical satisfaction guarantee, allowing you to cancel at any time before a settlement is reached. While this provides some flexibility, it doesn’t go beyond what most competitors offer, and some provide more robust guarantees. There are no additional pricing guarantees displayed on the website.
User Experience
The National Debt Relief website is professionally designed and easy to navigate. During our research, we easily found a debt relief calculator that provided a quick, customized estimate for how much we could save. This is a helpful starting point for customers in the research phase of debt management.
Pricing information was somewhat difficult to come by, but this is common in this industry — you need to request a consultation to get exact figures. The free consultation starts with a simple web form that asks for your estimated debt level, then prompts you to submit your personal information.
Once we did so, we received a text, a phone call, and a voicemail within five minutes. After we went through the consultation process, National Debt Relief recommended a curated list of loans to compare.
The phone consultation was handled by a debt specialist who guided us throughout our financial situation and outlined how their program could work for us in a professional manner. While they couldn’t answer direct questions about total costs, they could cite a range of APRs.
However, National Debt Relief could improve its user experience by adding live chat for prospective customers and a mobile app. Currently, clients manage everything on the online portal. This is functional and positively reviewed, but competitors are investing in apps for more flexible, self-service support.
Customer Service and Support
Contacting National Debt Relief
National Debt Relief offers three primary support channels: phone, email, and messaging.
By phone, you can reach the general line at 800-300-9550 or the client success team at 888-660-7427. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to midnight ET, and weekends from 8 a.m. to 11 pm ET. These extended hours make it easier to reach a live representative, especially in the evenings and on weekends, compared with many competitors.
When we tested the phone service during regular hours, we connected with a live specialist within a minute. The representative was knowledgeable and explained that a full consultation is required to discover the full scope of costs.
Email support is available. When we reached out, we received the following automated response within one hour:
For enrolled clients only, National Debt Relief also offers live chat and Apple Messages for Business. These channels provide additional convenience, though live chat is not available on Sundays.
Customer Testimonials
Consistent themes in National Debt Relief customer reviews on Trustpilot and BBB include the professionalism and empathy of the company’s specialists. Customers also cited the transparency of the onboarding process and the relief of having the creditor calls rerouted to National Debt Relief’s team.
One customer on Trustpilot summed up their relief here: “I really didn’t know where to start paying off the debt. It was overwhelming! Your company has been outstanding! You were able to do what I knew I needed to, but execution was a challenge. You organized, settled for less, and left me with relief!”
Common criticisms included the impact on credit scores, which is inherent to debt settlement programs. We also found some customers expressing frustration that the settlement program was running longer than initially projected.
One reviewer on BBB said their debt was extended to another year: “I will be making my final payment next month…I enrolled 7 credit cards and 6 which were all paid/satisfied back in November 2025. Feb.2026 the last card was finally negotiated and would extend my program through 2027. I refused because I think this could have been negotiated much earlier.”
National Debt Relief typically acknowledges critical reviews on BBB and Trustpilot within 48 hours and attempts to follow up with the customer — a level of responsiveness that seems above average for this industry.
Methodology: How We Review Debt Relief Services
BestMoney evaluates debt relief companies across five equally weighted categories, measuring a total of 38 criteria:
Reputation: Years in business, BBB accreditation and grade, customer review scores across Trustpilot, BBB, and industry accreditations like ACDR and IAPDA
Eligibility and Services: State availability, minimum debt and income requirements, eligible debt types, and breadth of services offered relative to competitors
Cost: Full fee structure (settlement, setup, and maintenance fees), free consultation availability, and estimated vs. customer-reported savings
User Experience: Website transparency, consultation process, online portal and mobile app availability, and any digital self-service gaps
Customer Service and Support: Support channel availability and hours, firsthand channel testing, and analysis of customer feedback across Trustpilot, BBB, Google, and Reddit
Final Take: Who Is National Debt Relief Best for?
National Debt Relief is best suited for consumers with $7,500 or more in unsecured debt, a steady income, and who are struggling to keep up with payments. If you're overwhelmed by creditor calls and want to work with an established, well-reviewed company that charges nothing upfront, National Debt Relief is a strong choice.
However, National Debt Relief isn’t the right fit for everyone. If protecting your credit score is a priority, or if your debt is primarily secured, you'll need to look elsewhere. The same goes for borrowers with smaller debt loads or those who want a mobile-first experience. We recommend taking National Debt Relief's free consultation and comparing it against at least two competitors before committing.
FAQs: National Debt Relief
Is National Debt Relief legit?
Yes. National Debt Relief is a legitimate debt settlement company accredited by the BBB and holds other professional accreditations.
Can I cancel my National Debt Relief program if I change my mind?
Yes. National Debt Relief allows clients to cancel at any time without fees. Important note: canceling mid-program may further damage your credit and leave you with unsettled debts.
Do I have to pay taxes on the debt National Debt Relief settles?
Yes. If a creditor forgives more than $600 in debt, that forgiven amount counts as taxable income.
Address
180 Maiden Lane, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10038
Written byBestmoney Staff
The BestMoney editorial team is composed of writers and experts covering a full range of financial services. Our mission is to simplify the process of selecting the right provider for every need, leveraging our extensive industry knowledge to deliver clear, reliable advice.