What is debt relief and how does it work

Debt settlement is when your debt is settled for less than what you currently owe, with the promise that you'll pay the amount settled for in full. Sometimes known as debt relief or debt adjustment, debt settlement is usually handled by a third-party company, although you could do it by yourself.

What is the downside to debt relief?

Stopping payment on a debt means you could face late fees and accruing interest. Additionally, just because a creditor agrees to lower the amount you owe doesn't mean you're free and clear on that particular debt. Forgiven debt could be considered taxable income on your federal taxes.

What does it take to qualify for debt relief?

To qualify for National Debt Relief's debt settlement program, consumers must have at least $7,500 in unsecured debt for a qualified debt type. Qualified types of debt include major credit cards, department store cards, personal loans, medical bills, credit unions, some secured debts and some private student loans.

How is debt relief done?

Debt relief refers to measures to reduce or refinance debt in order to make it easier for the borrower to repay it. Options for debt relief may entail forgiving a portion of the debt's principal, lowering the interest rate, or consolidating several debts into a single lower-interest loan.

Does debt forgiveness hurt your credit?

Your credit score isn't impacted\n\n When your debt is forgiven, your credit score is generally not affected. Having less debt can also improve your credit utilization which helps boost your credit score.