Incharge Debt Solutions

Free-Help · FL

Rating: 4.4/5

Incharge Debt Solutions logo

InCharge Debt Solutions is a 27-year-old Orlando-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering free credit counseling, debt management programs ($32-34/mo), and HUD-certified housing counseling. 3.2 million clients served, $3.4 billion in debt repaid.

Official Website

https://incharge.org

Incharge Debt Solutions Review

InCharge Debt Solutions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit credit counseling agency founded in 1997 and headquartered in Orlando, Florida. Over nearly three decades of operation, InCharge has served 3.2 million clients and facilitated $3.4 billion in debt repayment — making it one of the largest nonprofit credit counseling organizations in the United States. The agency holds an A+ BBB rating with accreditation since October 2002, and is certified by the NFCC (National Foundation for Credit Counseling), COA (Council on Accreditation), and HUD (U.S.

Department of Housing and Urban Development) as an approved housing counseling intermediary.

InCharge's core service is its Debt Management Program (DMP), which consolidates multiple unsecured debt payments — primarily credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans — into a single monthly payment at reduced interest rates. The agency negotiates with thousands of creditors to lower average interest rates to approximately 8.4%, down from typical credit card rates of 20-30%. DMP enrollment costs average $52 for setup (state-dependent, range $50-75) and $32-34 per month — significantly less than for-profit debt relief companies that charge 15-25% of enrolled debt.

Programs typically run 36-60 months. In 2021 alone, over 4,000 clients completed their DMPs and InCharge eliminated $117 million in credit card debt that year.

Beyond debt management, InCharge provides a comprehensive suite of financial services. All initial credit counseling sessions are completely free — certified counselors conduct confidential budget and debt reviews by phone or online with no appointment required. The agency is also a DOJ-approved provider of pre-bankruptcy counseling ($25) and pre-discharge debtor education ($15), having issued over one million bankruptcy education certificates since 2006 through its subsidiary personalfinanceeducation.com.

HUD-certified housing counseling covers foreclosure prevention, rental assistance, reverse mortgage guidance, and first-time homebuyer education. The InCharge Education Foundation runs financial literacy programs for military members, college students, and low-income families.

InCharge's strengths are its longevity, nonprofit structure, and institutional credibility. With dual NFCC and FCAA membership, COA accreditation, and three consecutive Circle of Excellence awards from the National Business Research Institute, it operates at a higher certification standard than most peers. TrustPilot reviews average 4.5-4.7 out of 5 from over 2,200 verified reviews.

However, the BBB customer review average is lower at 3.46 from just 13 reviews — a small, complaint-biased sample that doesn't reflect the broader client base. The agency has no CFPB enforcement actions, no FTC actions, and only 14 BBB complaints across its entire history against 3.2 million clients served — an extraordinarily low complaint rate.

The honest trade-off with any DMP is that it consolidates debt but does not reduce principal — clients repay the full balance at lower interest rates over an extended period. This is fundamentally different from debt relief companies that negotiate settlements for less than owed but cause severe credit damage in the process. InCharge's approach preserves credit history better while still saving thousands in interest.

The main limitation is that in-person counseling is only available at the Orlando headquarters — all other clients are served by phone and online. Monthly DMP fees ($32-34) are slightly higher than some competitors like GreenPath ($28 average), though still far below the cost of for-profit alternatives.

Within the broader landscape of financial assistance, credit counseling represents one of the most cost-effective paths to financial stability. Unlike debt relief companies that negotiate reduced balances through settlement — which damages credit scores — nonprofit counselors focus on budgeting, education, and structured repayment. Consumers may also benefit from credit monitoring services to track their progress, or credit repair services if inaccurate items are affecting their reports.

For those carrying high-interest balances, debt consolidation loans through personal loan lenders offer another way to reduce monthly payments while maintaining positive credit history. Nonprofit counselors can help consumers evaluate whether an installment loan for debt consolidation makes sense given their income and existing obligations.

Pros & Cons

Reader-focused summary of the strongest reasons to consider Incharge Debt Solutions and the factors most worth weighing before contracting. Individual outcomes depend on your credit situation and goals.

Pros

  • ✓27-year track record as 501(c)(3) nonprofit with 3.2 million clients served and $3.4 billion in debt repaid
  • ✓All initial credit counseling sessions are completely free with no enrollment obligation
  • ✓A+ BBB rating with accreditation since 2002 — only 14 complaints against 3.2M clients served
  • ✓Certified by NFCC, COA, HUD, DOJ, and FCAA — the highest standard of industry credentials
  • ✓DMP fees ($52 setup + $32-34/month) are far below for-profit debt settlement fees (15-25% of enrolled debt)
  • ✓TrustPilot 4.5-4.7/5 from 2,200+ verified reviews — strong real-world client satisfaction
  • ✓Average interest rate reduction to 8.4% from 20-30% saves thousands over program life
  • ✓No CFPB enforcement actions, no FTC actions — clean regulatory record

Areas to Consider

  • !DMP consolidates debt at lower interest but does not reduce the principal owed — clients repay the full balance
  • !DMP enrollment typically requires closing credit card accounts, which can temporarily lower credit scores
  • !In-person counseling only available at Orlando, FL headquarters — all other clients served by phone/online
  • !Monthly DMP fee ($32-34) is slightly higher than some peers like GreenPath ($28 average)
  • !Program requires consistent 36-60 month commitment — dropping out forfeits negotiated rate reductions
  • !BBB customer reviews average only 3.46/5 from 13 reviewers (small, complaint-biased sample)

Verdict Summary

Incharge Debt Solutions works best for consumers who value 27-year track record as 501(c)(3) nonprofit with 3.2 million clients served and and can accept the tradeoff of dmp consolidates debt at lower interest but does not reduce the principal owed —. Compare against similar providers below before signing any contract.

Services & Features

Services offered

Feature Checklist

✗Credit Monitoring
✗All Three Bureaus
✗Goodwill Letters
✗Cease Desist Letters
✗Debt Validation
✓Credit Education
✗Identity Theft Protection
✗Score Tracking
✗Mobile App
✓Online Portal
✓Personal Advisor
✗Ai Powered

Best For

Before You Contact Incharge Debt Solutions

Before signing up with any Free Help provider, review these safeguards:

Compare Your Needs With Incharge Debt Solutions

Match these decision factors against Incharge Debt Solutions's profile before committing. This rubric mirrors what independent consumer-finance research typically checks for Free Help providers.

Category

Free Help

Service scope

13 services listed

Geographic coverage

51 states

Match to your priorities

  • ●
    Budget priority: Pricing published above — factor in setup, monthly, and cancellation fees over the full expected service window.
  • ●
    Complexity priority: Consider Incharge Debt Solutions's stated strengths (27-year track record as 501(c)(3) nonprofit with 3.2 million clients served and $3.4 billion in d...) against your specific credit situation.
  • ●
    Timeline priority: Free Help typically takes 3-6 months for meaningful outcomes. Providers guaranteeing overnight results are red flags under federal consumer protection law.
  • ●
    Recourse priority: Confirm state licensing via your state regulator and check the CFPB complaint database before contracting.
  • ●
    Alternatives: Compare against all Free Help providers, DIY options via non-profit counseling agencies, and free CFPB resources.

Pricing

  • Monthly Price: 33
  • Setup Fee: 52
  • Money Back Guarantee: False
  • Guarantee Details: No money-back guarantee. Setup and monthly fees are governed by state law and vary by location. Fee waivers may be available for financial hardship.
  • Free Consultation: True
  • Tiers: [{'name': 'Free Credit Counseling', 'price': 0, 'features': ['Confidential budget and debt review with NFCC-certified counselor', 'Personalized action plan and debt assessment', 'No appointment required — call or use online form', 'Available by phone and online nationwide', 'No obligation to enroll in any program']}, {'name': 'Debt Management Program (DMP)', 'price': 33, 'features': ['One-time setup fee: avg $52 (range $50-75, state-dependent)', 'Monthly fee: avg $32-34 (state-dependent)', 'Average interest rate reduced to ~8.4% (from 20-30%)', 'Single monthly payment to InCharge, distributed to creditors', 'Works with thousands of creditors nationwide', 'Program length: 36-60 months', '24/7 online account access']}, {'name': 'Bankruptcy Education', 'price': 25, 'features': ['Pre-filing credit counseling certificate: $25', 'Pre-discharge debtor education certificate: $15', 'DOJ/EOUST-approved provider', 'Available online at personalfinanceeducation.com', '1,000,000+ certificates issued since 2006']}]
  • Currency: USD

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Incharge Debt Solutions offer?

Incharge Debt Solutions offers 13 services including Free credit counseling by NFCC-certified counselors (phone and online, no appointment needed), Debt Management Programs — single monthly payment, reduced interest rates (avg 8.4%), 36-60 months, Credit card debt consolidation with thousands of creditor relationships, Medical bill and personal loan debt management, Pre-filing bankruptcy counseling ($25, DOJ/EOUST-approved), and 8 more. Confirm current service list directly with the provider before contracting.

Who is Incharge Debt Solutions best suited for?

Incharge Debt Solutions's profile signals suggest it may fit: Consumers with $5,000+ in credit card debt who can afford monthly payments but need lower interest rates to make real progress; Individuals seeking free, certified nonprofit financial counseling before deciding on any debt strategy; People needing pre-bankruptcy counseling or pre-discharge education certificates at low cost ($25/$15); Homeowners facing foreclosure or renters needing eviction prevention through HUD-certified counseling. Individual outcomes vary based on your specific situation.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Incharge Debt Solutions?

Key strengths: 27-year track record as 501(c)(3) nonprofit with 3.2 million clients served and $3.4 billion in debt repaid; All initial credit counseling sessions are completely free with no enrollment obligation; A+ BBB rating with accreditation since 2002 — only 14 complaints against 3.2M clients served. Areas to consider: DMP consolidates debt at lower interest but does not reduce the principal owed — clients repay the full balance; DMP enrollment typically requires closing credit card accounts, which can temporarily lower credit scores.

How does Incharge Debt Solutions compare to similar companies?

In the Free Help category, comparable providers include Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp., Navicore Solutions, Take Charge America. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.

Where does Incharge Debt Solutions operate?

Incharge Debt Solutions serves customers in 51 states including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, and 43 more states. Confirm current service availability in your state directly with the provider.

How much does Incharge Debt Solutions cost?

Listed pricing for Incharge Debt Solutions: monthly price: 33; setup fee: 52; money back guarantee: False. Pricing may change — verify current fees directly with the provider before signing any contract.

Visit Incharge Debt Solutions

State Consumer Finance Context

This is state-level context for Free Help consumers in Florida. It does not confirm that Incharge Debt Solutions or this specific location is licensed.

State regulator: Florida Office of Financial Regulation
Consumer protection: Florida Attorney General Consumer Protection Division

Credit and debt help rules in Florida

Key state rules to check

Payday lending in Florida: Legal (max $500)

Usury cap: 18% for loans under $500,000; 25% criminal usury threshold; payday loans regulated separately

Complaint resources

State references

Florida allows payday lending with notable consumer protections including a statewide database preventing multiple simultaneous loans, a $500 cap, and a 24-hour cooling-off period. The Office of Financial Regulation oversees all consumer lenders. Consumers can file complaints online through the OFR or the Attorney General.

Similar Companies ⓘ

Comparable Free Help providers with similar service scope. Ratings reflect stored review context; verify current licensing and pricing directly before contracting.

Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp. logo

Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp.

NFCC-certified nonprofit offering free credit counseling, debt management plans, housing counseling, and bankruptcy guidance since 1996.

Rating 4.6/5

Read review →

Notable: NFCC-certified nonprofit with 30 years of operation since 1996 — not a for-profit debt settlement company

Navicore Solutions logo

Navicore Solutions

Nonprofit credit and housing counseling agency founded in 1991. Offers debt management plans, foreclosure prevention, bankruptcy education, and student loan ...

Rating 4.8/5

Read review →

Notable: 30+ years of operation since 1991 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with no profit motive

Take Charge America logo

Take Charge America

Nonprofit NFCC-certified credit counseling agency offering free initial consultations and paid Debt Management Plans to reduce interest rates on unsecured de...

Rating 4.9/5

Read review →

Notable: Nonprofit agency founded in 1987 with 35+ years of operation and 2 million+ clients served

American Consumer Credit Counseling, Inc. logo

American Consumer Credit Counseling, Inc.

ACCC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit credit counseling agency founded in 1991, offering free debt management programs starting at \/month. BBB A+ rated with 4.98 st...

Rating 4.7/5

Read review →

Notable: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) structure aligns incentives with the consumer, not profit generation

Consolidated Credit logo

Consolidated Credit

Nonprofit credit counseling agency offering free counseling, debt management programs, and HUD-approved housing help. Rated 4.7/5 from 9,144 reviews.

Rating 4.4/5

Read review →

Notable: Free initial credit counseling with certified counselors — no cost to review your situation

Greenpath Financial Wellness logo

Greenpath Financial Wellness

GreenPath Financial Wellness is a 60-year-old national nonprofit offering free NFCC and HUD-certified financial counseling, debt management, and housing guidance.

Rating 4.5/5

Read review →

Notable: 60+ year operational history as established national nonprofit with NFCC and HUD dual certification

Abacus Credit Counseling logo

Abacus Credit Counseling

Non-profit credit counseling founded by bankruptcy and financial professionals. Provides pre- and post-bankruptcy courses designed to help consumers analyze ...

Rating 4.3/5

Read review →

Notable: Founded and led by bankruptcy attorneys and financial professionals with credentials from Stanford, UCLA, Michigan, a...

Access logo

Access

ACCESS is a Jackson County, Oregon Community Action Agency providing free food, energy assistance, housing support, and other essential services to low-incom...

Rating 4.1/5

Read review →

Notable: 100% free services with no fees, loan products, or hidden charges

Related Questions

Quick Summary

Incharge Debt Solutions — Free Help in FL.

Overall rating: 4.4/5

InCharge Debt Solutions is a 27-year-old Orlando-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering free credit counseling, debt management programs ($32-34/mo), and HUD-certified housing counseling. 3.2 million clients served, $3.4 ...

Visit Incharge Debt Solutions

Next Steps

  1. Compare Incharge Debt Solutions against similar options above.
  2. Run our borrowing power quiz to see how Incharge Debt Solutions matches your situation.
  3. Check state regulator listings for Incharge Debt Solutions's licensing before committing.
  4. Visit Incharge Debt Solutions once you're ready.

Glossary of Terms

Common terms that come up when comparing Free Help providers. Full glossary at creditdoc.co/glossary/.

Amortization — Loan Amortization
The process of paying off a loan through regular payments that cover both principal and interest. Early payments are mostly interest; later payments are mostly principal.
Why it matters: Understanding amortization explains why paying extra early in a loan saves the most money — you're reducing the principal that interest is calculated on.
Example: Month 1 of a $200,000 mortgage at 6%: your $1,199 payment splits as $1,000 interest + $199 principal. By month 300: only $47 goes to interest and $1,152 goes to principal.
Balloon Payment
A large lump-sum payment due at the end of a loan, after a period of smaller monthly payments. The loan isn't fully paid off by the regular payments — the balloon settles it.
Why it matters: Balloon payments make monthly payments look affordable but create a financial cliff. If you can't pay or refinance at the end, you could lose your home or asset.
Example: A 5-year balloon mortgage on $200,000: you pay $1,054/month (as if it were a 30-year loan), but after 5 years you owe a balloon of $186,108 all at once.
Collateral — Loan Collateral
An asset you pledge to the lender as security for a loan. If you stop paying, the lender can seize and sell that asset to recover their money.
Why it matters: Secured loans (with collateral) have lower interest rates because the lender has less risk. But you could lose your home, car, or savings if you default.
Example: A mortgage uses your house as collateral. A car loan uses your vehicle. A title loan uses your car title. If you miss payments, the lender can foreclose or repossess.
Cosigner — Loan Cosigner
A person who agrees to repay your loan if you can't. They're equally responsible for the debt, and their credit is affected by your payment behavior.
Why it matters: Cosigning helps people with thin credit get approved or get better rates. But it's a huge risk for the cosigner — they're on the hook for the full amount if you default.
Example: A parent cosigns their child's $30,000 student loan. The child stops paying after 6 months. The parent is now legally required to make the payments or face collections, lawsuits, and credit damage.
Credit Bureau — Credit Reporting Agency (Bureau)
A company that collects and sells information about your credit history. The three major bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Why it matters: Not all lenders report to all three bureaus, so your reports may differ. You should check all three reports because an error on one could be costing you money.
Example: Your car loan only reports to Equifax and TransUnion. Your Experian report doesn't show that good payment history, so your Experian score is 15 points lower.
Credit Freeze — Security Freeze / Credit Freeze
A free tool that locks your credit report so no one (including you) can open new accounts until you lift it. It's the strongest protection against identity theft.
Why it matters: A credit freeze prevents criminals from opening loans in your name, even if they have your Social Security number. It's free by law and doesn't affect your credit score.
Example: Your data was in a breach. You freeze your credit at all 3 bureaus (takes 10 minutes online). A thief tries to open a credit card in your name — denied because the lender can't pull your frozen report.
Credit Mix — Credit Mix (Types of Credit)
The variety of credit accounts you have — credit cards (revolving), auto loans (installment), mortgage, student loans, etc. Having multiple types shows you can manage different kinds of debt.
Why it matters: Credit mix accounts for about 10% of your FICO score. Having only credit cards isn't as strong as having a card, an installment loan, and a mortgage.
Example: Borrower A has 3 credit cards. Borrower B has 2 credit cards, a car loan, and a student loan. Even with the same payment history and utilization, Borrower B's score is typically higher.
Credit Report — Consumer Credit Report
A detailed record of your borrowing history maintained by credit bureaus. It lists every loan, credit card, payment history, collection, and public record tied to your name.
Why it matters: Errors on credit reports are common — 1 in 5 consumers has at least one mistake. Checking your report regularly is the first step to fixing errors that are costing you money.
Example: You pull your free report from AnnualCreditReport.com and find a $2,400 medical collection you already paid. You dispute it, the bureau verifies it's resolved, and your score goes up 40 points.
Credit Score
A 3-digit number (300-850) that summarizes how reliably you've handled borrowed money. Higher scores mean lower risk to lenders and better loan terms for you.
Why it matters: Your credit score determines whether you get approved and at what rate. A 100-point difference can mean thousands of dollars more or less in interest over a loan's life.
Example: On a $250,000 30-year mortgage: a 760 score gets you 6.2% ($1,536/month). A 660 score gets 7.4% ($1,729/month). Over 30 years, the lower score costs you $69,480 more.
Credit Utilization — Credit Utilization Ratio
The percentage of your available credit that you're currently using. If you have $10,000 in credit limits and owe $3,000, your utilization is 30%.
Why it matters: Utilization is the second-biggest factor in your credit score (after payment history). Keeping it below 30% helps your score; below 10% is ideal.
Example: You have 3 cards with a $15,000 total limit. You're carrying $4,500 in balances (30% utilization). Paying down to $1,500 (10% utilization) could boost your score by 20-50 points.
Default — Loan Default
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.
Why it matters: 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).
FICO Score — Fair Isaac Corporation Score
The most widely used credit scoring model, created by Fair Isaac Corporation. 90% of top lenders use FICO scores for lending decisions.
Why it matters: FICO has many versions (FICO 8, 9, 10). Mortgage lenders still use older versions (FICO 2, 4, 5), so your mortgage score may differ from what free apps show you.
Example: Your FICO 8 score (used for credit cards) is 740. Your FICO 5 score (used for mortgages) is 725 because it weighs collections differently. Same credit history, different scores.
Hard Inquiry — Hard Credit Inquiry (Hard Pull)
When a lender checks your credit report because you've applied for credit. Each hard inquiry can lower your score by 5-10 points and stays on your report for 2 years.
Why it matters: Multiple hard inquiries in a short period suggest you're desperately seeking credit, which is a red flag. Exception: mortgage and auto loan shopping within 14-45 days counts as one inquiry.
Example: You apply for 5 credit cards in one month. Each application triggers a hard inquiry. Your score drops 25-50 points from the inquiries alone, making each subsequent application harder.
Loan Term (Tenor) — Loan Term / Tenor
How long you have to repay the loan, measured in months or years. A shorter term means higher monthly payments but less total interest paid.
Why it matters: Longer terms feel more affordable monthly but cost much more overall. A 30-year mortgage costs almost double in interest compared to a 15-year mortgage on the same amount.
Example: Borrowing $200,000 at 6.5%: A 15-year term costs $1,742/month ($113,561 total interest). A 30-year term costs $1,264/month ($255,088 total interest). You save $141,527 with the shorter term.
Origination Fee — Loan Origination Fee
A one-time fee the lender charges to process and set up your loan. It covers their costs for underwriting, verifying your information, and preparing paperwork.
Why it matters: Origination fees are usually 1-8% of the loan amount and are often deducted from your loan proceeds — so you receive less than you borrowed.
Example: You're approved for a $10,000 personal loan with a 5% origination fee. The lender deducts $500 upfront, so you receive $9,500 in your bank account but owe $10,000 plus interest.