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National Debt Relief Debt Consolidation Loans Review

Reviews 40,798
National DR
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National DR
National DR
Excellent
Reviews 40,798
Catherine Miller
Sep. 08, 2024
5 min read
Catherine Miller
National DR Summary
National Debt Relief (NDR) is an accredited debt settlement firm that has been helping people manage their debt since 2009, assisting over 550,000 clients. It negotiates with creditors to reduce debt on your behalf, often lowering what you owe by up to 30%. NDR also offers credit counseling, bankruptcy referrals, and debt consolidation through a trusted partner network. Its stellar reputation is backed by over 40,000 positive Trustpilot reviews.

Pros

  • Offers a free, no-obligation debt relief consultation
  • Boasts a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation and A+ rank
  • No upfront fees

Cons

  • Only available for clients with $7,500 of debt or more
  • Forgiven debt amount may be subject to income tax

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What’s Offered?

  • A free consultation with a duration estimate of the debt relief plan
  • A personalized plan of action based on your unique circumstances
  • A team of experts that negotiate with creditors on your behalf
  • Financial counseling and guidance from certified debt coaches
  • One lower monthly payment into a dedicated savings account under your control
  • A chance to slash your overall debt by up to 30%

» Find out more about the best debt consolidation loans for your situation. 

What Is the Process of National Debt Relief?

The first step in addressing debt is recognizing that you may need help—and knowing that you're not alone. Thousands of people face similar challenges every day. If you're unsure whether debt relief is right for you, ask yourself: Are you only making minimum payments on your credit cards or loans? Are you living paycheck to paycheck? Have you felt so overwhelmed that you've considered drastic options like bankruptcy? 

If any of this sounds familiar, and you’re at least $7,500 in debt, then NDR’s debt relief might be the solution you need. Here’s what you can expect from National Debt Relief:

  1. Free consultation: Start with a no-obligation, free consultation where you’ll discuss your financial situation. During this session, you’ll learn about your debt relief options and receive a free savings estimate, clearly showing how quickly you could be debt-free. There are no upfront fees, and you can walk away if it’s not for you.

  2. Personalized debt relief plan: After reviewing your options, you’ll approve and customize a debt relief plan from NDR's suite of solutions. This plan will be tailored to fit your financial needs and includes budgeting advice.

  3. Monthly deposits: Once you sign the agreement, you’ll stop paying your creditors. Instead, you’ll begin making monthly deposits into a Dedicated Savings Account under your name and control. These deposits will include any applicable fees, so you won’t have to worry about unexpected costs.

  4. Negotiation with creditors: As funds build up in your account, NDR will negotiate with your creditors to reduce the amount you owe. It will work to reach agreements on lower, more manageable balances on your behalf.

  5. Payment of reduced balances: Once a settlement is reached, you’ll authorize NDR to use your Dedicated Savings Account funds to pay your creditors the agreed-upon, reduced amounts.

  6. Accounts closed with zero balance: As each account is paid off, it should be reported back with a zero balance, signifying that the debt has been fully settled.

To qualify for National Debt Relief, you need to be able to prove that you’re going through a financial crisis so they have a legitimate argument when negotiating. Some acceptable reasons include:

  • Recent layoff or reduction in work hours

  • Separation or divorce

  • Death of a spouse

  • Unexpected medical or hospital bills

  • Student loans

Types of Debt Covered by National Debt Relief 

Type of Debt 

Description

Major credit cards

Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, etc.

Department store cards

Including furniture store cards (e.g., Sears, Macy's, Gap, PayPal)

Gas cards

Credit cards specifically for purchasing gas

Bank loans from prior banks

Loans from banks you no longer use

Installment loans

Loans repaid in regular installments

Finance company debts

Debts owed to finance companies

Unsecured personal loans

Loans not backed by collateral (e.g., American General, CitiFinancial)

Repossession deficiency balances

Remaining balance after a repossession (current statement required)

Business debts

Preferably for closed businesses, no secured ties to business accounts

Bank overdraft fees

Must have a statement and be with a collection agency

Cell phone debts

Only for accounts no longer active

Credit union debts

Except for federal or military employee credit unions

Veterinarian bills

Over $500

Abandoned timeshares

Current statements required

Judgments

Six months or older, with documentation

Back rent

For previous residences only

Certain private student loans

Specific conditions may apply

» Check this out if you want to know more about student loan debt relief.

Debts Not Covered By National Debt Relief 

Type of Debt 

Description 

Mortgage loans

Loans used to purchase homes

Auto loans

Loans used to purchase vehicles

Child support

Court-ordered payments for child care

Back taxes

Unpaid taxes owed to government

Speeding tickets and fines

Traffic violations and other legal penalties

Current cell phone bills

Active cell phone accounts

Current back rent

For your current residence

Recent litigation accounts

Less than six months old

NSF checks

Checks written with insufficient funds

Gambling debts

Some exceptions possible with pre-approval

Recent large purchases or cash advances

Where only three to six payments have been made

AAFES or STAR debts

Military-related debts

Car repair bills

Bills for automotive repairs

Rent-a-Center bills

Debts from rent-to-own businesses

Warranty contracts

Agreements for product warranties

Insurance policies

Any type of insurance-related debt

Check cashing establishment debts

Debts from payday loan-type businesses

Bail bonds

Debts related to posting bail


Note: This list covers most debts that qualify or don't qualify for debt relief. If you're unsure about a specific debt, contact National Debt Relief directly for a personalized assessment. 

Is National Debt Relief Legit?

You can trust National Debt Relief as a legitimate debt relief company. Since 2009, they've helped over 550,000 people resolve their debt. Their reputation speaks for itself:

National Debt Relief ensures all its Debt Arbitrators are certified by Arbitrain. The company also undergoes regular audits to maintain industry compliance. With established relationships with over 10,000 creditors, NDR has the experience to negotiate effectively on your behalf.

Does Using National Debt Relief Affect Your Credit Score?

Yes, using National Debt Relief can affect your credit score, but this is true for any debt settlement plan. Since payment history makes up 35% of your FICO score, not making payments to your creditors will likely cause a decline in your score. 

However, if you qualify for National Debt Relief, your current financial situation may already affect your credit score. Besides, while you're under debt review, you won’t be able to take out new credit anyway. The good news is that your credit score can recover once you’re debt-free and making regular payments again.

Site Security

National Debt Relief takes your privacy seriously. It follows industry standards to safeguard your personal information both during transmission and after it's received. The company uses robust administrative, technical, and physical measures to protect against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. 

While NDR may share your information with third parties for service provision and prescreening, you can opt-out if you prefer not to disclose your nonpublic personal information.

Help & Support

You can reach customer support toll-free at 888-912-1662 or client services at 888-660-7427. Support hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to midnight EST, Saturday, 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM EST, and Sunday, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM EST. 

Additional contact options include email at success@nationaldebtrelief.com, fax, and mail to P.O. Box 2011, New York, NY 10272. The company's website also offers resources on debt and money management for self-help.

Address

180 Maiden Lane, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10038

Summary

National Debt Relief stands out as a reputable and reliable option for those seeking to regain control of their finances. Since 2009, it has successfully helped over 550,000 clients reduce their debt, often by up to 30%, through personalized debt relief plans. 

With strong industry credentials, including an A+ rating from the BBB, IAPDA accreditation, and membership in the AADR, National Debt Relief is a trustworthy partner in your journey toward financial freedom. While the process may impact your credit score initially, the potential for long-term relief and recovery is substantial. 

In summary, National Debt Relief could be a viable option for those looking for the best debt settlement solutions. They are perfectly equipped to help you navigate your financial challenges and work toward a debt-free future.

Catherine Miller
Written by
Catherine Miller
Catherine Miller is a lead member of personal finance and pension innovator Maji, where she’s responsible for content creation and running Maji’s personal finance masterclass, among others. She is also a freelance writer in the fields of finance and education, and holds degrees in English and education.
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