National Debt Relief for Debt Settlement Review

We are committed to providing accurate content that helps you make informed money decisions. Our partners have not commissioned or endorsed this content. Read our editorial guidelines here.

Our verdict

National Debt Relief (NDR) is a legitimate debt settlement company that negotiates directly with creditors to lower your debt — but there are no guarantees. Learn about the risks of debt settlement and consider alternatives before signing up with any company.

National Debt Relief quick facts

Year established	2009
Minimum debt	$7,500
Eligible debts	Unsecured debt like debt from credit cards, lines of credit, personal loans, medical bills, collections, repossessions, business debt and certain student debts
Fees	Up to 25% of enrolled debt amount, additional account fees
Typical time to settle debt	24 to 48 months
Availability by state	Not available in: Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Accredited by the Association for Consumer Debt Relief (ACDR)
Agents certified with the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA)
Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited	, A+
Trustpilot rating	4.7 stars from 42,000+ reviews

See Personalized Results

How National Debt Relief works

National Debt Relief says they have helped more than 550,000 people settle their debt for less than they owe. Here’s how it works.

Start with a free initial consultation. Fill out a form on National Debt Relief’s website with your name, phone number, email address and the amount of debt you owe. A rep will call you within a few minutes to discuss your potential debt settlement plan and savings.
Enroll in a debt settlement program. If you’ve decided that debt settlement is the best option of the ways to get out of debt, you can enroll in National Debt Relief’s debt settlement program. You’ll likely need to fill out paperwork.
Make monthly payments to a savings account. You’ll start making monthly payments to a dedicated savings account instead of to the company you owe. In the meantime, National Debt Relief agents will reach out to the company you owe to try to negotiate your debt down to the lower amount in your savings account.
Review any debt settlement offers. If the company you owe agrees to accept less than you owe (a debt settlement), you can approve this offer and allow National Debt Relief to use the money in your dedicated savings account to pay off your creditor.
Pay National Debt Relief. You’ll pay National Debt Relief a settlement fee of up to 25% of the total amount of debt you enrolled. For instance, if you asked National Debt Relief to settle $100,000 worth of debt, you’d pay up to $25,000 in settlement fees.

Pros and cons of National Debt Relief

Pros

Publicized that they have helped 550,000+ people get out of debt
Accredited by the Association for Consumer Debt Relief (ACDR) and the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA)
Could settle your debts in 24 to 48 months on average

Cons

Expensive way to get out of debt
Could fail to settle
Damage to credit score
Settled debt could be taxable income
Not available in every state

National Debt Relief has the gold standard accreditations for debt settlement companies — its dual accreditations from the ACDR and IAPDA mean that the company follows best practices for debt settlement. It’s not a mom-and-pop business, either — NDR has helped hundreds of thousands of people successfully settle their debt for less than they owe.

But National Debt Relief isn’t available in every state, and its accreditations won’t make the process of debt settlement any less risky or expensive. You’ll pay up to 25% of the debt you owe in fees if NDR is successful. And if your original creditor doesn’t agree to lower your debts, you’ll still owe the money (plus interest that’s racked up in the meantime).

Plus, debt settlement will damage your credit, you might have to pay taxes on any settled debt and you can be sued by collections for not paying your debt.

Is National Debt Relief legit?

Yes, National Debt Relief is a legitimate company. Though debt settlement is risky no matter what company you work with, NDR is one of the reputable ones. Here are a few metrics to gauge its reputation:

4.7 stars on Trustpilot. Positive reviews praise National Debt Relief for successfully settling debts, excellent customer service and frequent communication. One-star reviews cite damage to their credit scores, expensive fees and debt not being settled.
A+ rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB). National Debt Relief has a high BBB rating, and nearly 6,000 customers agree — they’ve given NDR a rating of 4.73.
Accredited through ACDR. Accredited members of the ACDR must follow ACDR consumer protection standards for debt settlement and agree to be audited every two years.
Arbitrators accredited through IAPDA. The IAPDA trains agents on debt negotiation tactics and options. It also helps consumers resolve issues with debt settlement companies — just click “Review” on the IAPDA website.

Should you settle your debt?

You have options when it comes to getting out of debt. Answer the following questions to decide if debt settlement is the right choice for you:

1. Can you afford to pay off your debts in the next few years?

If you can afford it, tackling your debt with a strict budget is your best option to keep your finances and credit score out of hot water. Tight on money? Learn how to get out of debt on a low income.

2. Have you considered other ways to get out of debt?

Most alternatives to debt settlement come with less risk and uncertainty. Consider each of these options carefully before moving forward with debt settlement.

3. Have you seen a credit counselor?

If you like the idea of debt settlement because you want expert help getting out of debt, try credit counseling. It’s an inexpensive service for people struggling with too much debt. Your credit counselor can help you decide if debt settlement is the right move for you.

Other ways to get out of debt

Credit counseling

Credit counselors can help you review your options to get out of debt and make a plan. Your counselor may suggest a debt management plan, which works in almost the same way as a debt settlement plan. The difference? Credit counselors will help you work on your financial habits, and they don’t charge debt settlement fees.

Calling your creditors

Did you know you can call your credit card company directly to ask for lower rates? It’s true — and 83% of people who asked for a lower APR in the last year got one just by asking.

You can also negotiate your debts yourself by calling your creditors directly. Politely explain that you’re not able to make payments as they stand and ask if your company will agree to cancel your debt in exchange for a smaller amount of money than you owe.

Debt consolidation loans

Consider debt consolidation loans if you’re dealing with more than one debt payment. If your credit is still good or excellent, you could qualify for lower rates — and a lower monthly payment — than the ones you’re paying now.

Bankruptcy

You might view bankruptcy as a last resort, but it could be the right choice for you if you’re struggling with debt and need relief from monthly payments you can’t afford. Talk with a credit counselor and learn more about the different types of bankruptcy before making a decision.

No matter your situation, we’ll find the best solution together. Just a few clicks (or taps) away!

Debt Relief Resources

On this page

Jump to

On this page

How National Debt Relief works
Pros and cons of National Debt Relief
Is National Debt Relief legit?
Should you settle your debt?
Alternatives to debt settlement