Debt.com is a free debt relief referral marketplace matching consumers with accredited debt settlement, management, and consolidation partners in all 50 states.
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Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Debt.com operates as a consumer-facing debt relief referral marketplace rather than a direct service provider. The platform connects US consumers overwhelmed by unsecured debt — primarily credit card balances — with vetted third-party professionals offering debt settlement, debt management programs (DMPs), and debt consolidation loans. The company claims to have served over 10 million consumers nationwide and maintains a Code of Ethics that all partner companies must follow. Staff include named Certified Debt Counselors who conduct initial consultations with prospective clients.
Debt.com's service to consumers is entirely free: the platform earns referral fees from its partner network rather than charging users. Consumers submit an online intake form, speak with a Certified Debt Counselor, and are matched with an appropriate partner program. The three primary pathways are debt settlement (negotiating with creditors to accept less than the full balance owed), debt management programs (structured repayment with reduced interest — a DMP averaging an assumed 8% rate in their on-site calculator), and debt consolidation loans (referred to external lenders, with the calculator assuming 16.5% APR over five years as a benchmark). A separate student loan relief pathway is also available, with the company claiming an average 50% reduction in monthly payments for eligible borrowers. Fees for the underlying partner programs are not published on Debt.com's site and are described as varying by program and state.
The platform differentiates itself through educational depth and decision-support tools. Its interactive debt comparison calculator lets consumers model minimum payment scenarios against DMP, settlement, and consolidation options side by side — a substantive planning tool rather than a simple lead form. Beyond matching, Debt.com publishes original consumer finance research and economic surveys, positioning itself as a personal finance information resource as much as a referral service. The company claims an A+ BBB rating and holds a 4.8/5 Google rating from nearly 400 reviewers, indicating strong consumer satisfaction with the intake and matching experience.
The structural limitation of Debt.com is its referral architecture: the company itself provides no debt relief services. Everything after the initial match — including fees, timelines, and program terms — is handled by the assigned partner firm, and those costs are not disclosed upfront on Debt.com's platform. The referral-fee revenue model creates a built-in conflict of interest, as the platform earns money by routing consumers to paid partners rather than free nonprofit alternatives such as NFCC-certified credit counseling agencies. Additionally, despite describing itself as 'one of the oldest and largest debt-solution providers,' the company was founded in 2013 — a framing that is misleading in a sector where nonprofit counseling agencies have operated for five decades or more. Consolidating high-interest balances into a single installment loan with a fixed rate can reduce total interest paid and simplify monthly budgeting.
While repairing your credit, a secured card builds positive payment history from day one. Several options require no credit check.
Yes. Debt.com® is a registered company, headquartered in Davie, FL, founded in 2013. They hold a A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and are BBB-accredited.
Debt.com® plans start at Free per month with no setup fee. No money-back guarantee is offered.
Results vary by individual situation. Contact the provider to discuss expected timelines for your specific needs.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Debt.com is best suited for consumers who want a free, structured entry point into debt relief — particularly those with significant unsecured debt who are unsure whether settlement, a management plan, or consolidation is the right fit. The central caveat is that Debt.com is a matching service, not a debt relief provider: once connected to a partner, fees and program terms are set entirely by that third party and are not disclosed upfront. Consumers who may qualify for nonprofit NFCC-certified credit counseling — typically the lowest-cost option — should compare that route directly alongside Debt.com's referrals.
American Debt Relief is a Plano, TX debt settlement firm that negotiates with creditors to reduce unsecured balances, charging 22–25% of enrolled debt only after settlements are reached.
Best for: Individuals with $7,500 or more in unsecured debt (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans) who are already struggling to make minimum payments, People who want to avoid bankruptcy but need more than a payment plan or debt consolidation loan
Debt settlement company negotiating creditor agreements to resolve credit card debt for less than owed. Over 1 million clients served since 2002.
Best for: Consumers with $25,000+ in credit card debt who can afford monthly deposits and wait 2-4 years, People unable to pay debts in full but seeking to avoid bankruptcy or credit counseling
National Debt Relief is a debt settlement and consolidation company helping consumers resolve credit card debt through negotiated settlements, with A+ BBB accreditation and over 1.3 million clients served.
Best for: Consumers with $20,000+ in unsecured credit card debt who can afford reduced monthly payments and have already struggled with standard repayment, People willing to tolerate temporary credit score damage (2-3 years) in exchange for reduced total debt liability and faster payoff than minimum payments
Compare the three most effective debt payoff methods with real examples. Find the strategy that matches your personality and financial situation.
Read guide →When you're retired, disabled, or on a fixed income, debt feels impossible. Here's a realistic plan that doesn't pretend you can just 'earn more.'
Read guide →Whether you're recovering from bankruptcy, divorce, job loss, or years of debt, here's a practical roadmap for rebuilding your financial life.
Read guide →New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
When you fail to repay a loan according to the agreed terms — usually after 90-180 days of missed payments. It's the point where the lender gives up on collecting normally.
Default triggers severe consequences: credit score drops 100+ points, the debt may be sent to collections, you could be sued, and your wages or assets could be seized.
Example
You miss 4 consecutive car payments. The lender declares your loan in default, repossesses your car, sells it at auction for $8,000, and you still owe the remaining $5,000 (called a deficiency balance).
A federal agency created in 2010 to protect consumers from unfair financial practices. They write rules, supervise financial companies, and handle consumer complaints.
The CFPB is your most powerful ally against predatory lenders. Filing a complaint with them gets a response from the company within 15 days — companies take CFPB complaints seriously.
Example
A debt collector calls your workplace after you told them to stop. You file a CFPB complaint online. Within 15 days, the collection agency responds and agrees to stop. The CFPB tracks complaint patterns across all companies.
A federal law that limits what debt collectors can do. They can't call before 8am or after 9pm, can't harass you, can't lie, and must stop contacting you if you request in writing.
Knowing your FDCPA rights stops abusive collection tactics. If a collector violates the law, you can sue for up to $1,000 per violation plus attorney fees.
Example
A collector calls your workplace 3 times after you told them not to. That's 3 FDCPA violations. You hire a consumer attorney (free — they get paid by the collector). The collector settles for $3,000.
A court order that requires your employer to withhold part of your paycheck and send it directly to a creditor. Usually happens after a creditor sues you and wins a judgment.
Federal law limits garnishment to 25% of disposable income. Some states have lower limits. Student loans and taxes can be garnished without a court order.
Example
You owe $8,000 on a defaulted credit card. The bank sues, gets a judgment, and garnishes your wages. On a $3,000/month net paycheck, they take $750/month until the debt is paid.
A time limit (typically 3-6 years, varies by state) after which a creditor can no longer sue you to collect a debt. The debt still exists, but they lose the legal power to force payment.
Knowing your state's statute of limitations prevents you from being tricked into paying debts that are legally uncollectable. Beware: making a payment can restart the clock.
Example
You have a $3,000 credit card debt from 2019. Your state has a 4-year statute of limitations. In 2024, a collector calls demanding payment. The statute has expired — they cannot sue you.
A type of bankruptcy where you keep your assets but follow a court-approved 3-5 year repayment plan to pay back some or all of your debts. Stays on credit for 7 years.
Chapter 13 is better than Chapter 7 if you have a home or assets you want to keep. It can stop foreclosure and let you catch up on mortgage payments over 3-5 years.
Example
You're 3 months behind on your mortgage and have $30,000 in credit card debt. Chapter 13 stops foreclosure and puts you on a 5-year plan: you pay $600/month to catch up on the mortgage and pay 40% of the credit card debt.
A type of bankruptcy that wipes out most unsecured debts (credit cards, medical bills) by liquidating non-exempt assets. It stays on your credit for 10 years.
Chapter 7 gives you a fresh start but at a steep cost: 10 years on your credit, difficulty getting loans, and you may lose assets. Income must be below your state's median to qualify.
Example
You have $45,000 in credit card debt and earn $35,000/year. Chapter 7 erases the debt. You keep exempt property (basic car, household items). Your score drops to ~500 but you're debt-free.
When a creditor declares your debt a loss after 180 days of nonpayment and removes it from their books. But you still owe the money — they just stop expecting to collect it themselves.
A charge-off is one of the most damaging entries on your credit report and stays for 7 years. The debt is usually sold to a collection agency who will pursue you for it.
Example
You stop paying your $4,000 credit card. After 180 days, the bank charges it off and sells the debt to a collector for $800. The collector now contacts you demanding the full $4,000 (they profit from what they collect above $800).
When an unpaid debt is transferred or sold to a third-party collection agency that specializes in recovering the money. Collection accounts appear on your credit report for 7 years.
Even a $50 collection account can drop your score 50-100 points. Some newer FICO models (FICO 9) ignore paid collections, but many lenders still use older models.
Example
An old $200 gym bill goes to collections. It appears on all 3 credit reports and drops your 720 score to 640. Paying it helps with newer scoring models but under FICO 8 (still widely used), a paid collection still hurts.
Combining multiple debts into one single loan with one monthly payment, ideally at a lower interest rate. It simplifies repayment and can reduce total interest.
Consolidation works best when you get a lower rate than your existing debts. But it doesn't reduce what you owe — and extending the term can mean paying more total interest.
Example
You have: $5,000 at 22% (credit card), $3,000 at 18% (store card), $2,000 at 25% (payday loan). A $10,000 consolidation loan at 11% saves you ~$2,100 in interest over 3 years.
Negotiating with creditors to accept less than the full amount you owe — typically 40-60 cents on the dollar. Usually done after you've already fallen behind on payments.
Settlement can save thousands, but it severely damages your credit (settled accounts show for 7 years) and the IRS may tax the forgiven amount as income.
Example
You owe $15,000 on a credit card and negotiate a settlement of $7,500 (50%). You save $7,500 but: your credit drops 100+ points, the account shows 'settled' for 7 years, and you may owe taxes on the $7,500 forgiven.
The percentage of your monthly gross income that goes toward paying debts. Lenders use it to judge whether you can afford another loan payment.
Most lenders want DTI below 36% for personal loans and below 43% for mortgages. Above that, you're considered overextended and likely to be denied.
Example
You earn $5,000/month gross. Your debts: $1,200 mortgage + $300 car + $200 student loans = $1,700/month. DTI = 34%. A new $400/month loan would push you to 42% — risky for lenders.
A court ruling that says you legally owe a specific amount to a creditor. It gives the creditor power to garnish wages, freeze bank accounts, or place liens on your property.
Judgments are enforceable for 10-20 years (varies by state) and can be renewed. They give creditors far more collection power than a simple unpaid debt.
Example
A credit card company sues you for $8,000 and wins a judgment. They can now garnish 25% of your paycheck ($750/month on a $3,000 net salary) and freeze your bank account.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
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