Accredited Debt Relief Review for 2023

Accredited Debt Relief is not a direct provider of debt relief services. Instead, they partner with multiple debt relief companies to give you the options you need for managing your overwhelming debt.

Their teams have successfully negotiated settlements with some of the nation’s largest financial institutions, including Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Chase, and Capital One.

Accredited Debt Relief also works with smaller companies to help reduce the amount you pay on your outstanding debt. However, the debt settlement process does come with inherent risk and may not be suitable for everyone. Read our full review to decide if Accredited Debt Relief is the best option for you.

Accredited Debt Relief’s Process

Accredited Debt Relief offers several debt relief programs for individuals struggling with insurmountable debt. They can help with debt management, debt consolidation, and bankruptcy but primarily offer debt settlement services through their providers.

Going through the debt settlement process can help you reduce the amount of money you’re required to pay to your creditors, with trained staff negotiating on your behalf.

Instead of making multiple payments, you pay into one account each month for two to four years as the negotiations are underway. Typically, they pay your creditors off with a lump sum of the money you saved during that period. Accredited Debt Relief says that successful clients pay about 50% of their total enrolled debt before fees and a total of 68% to 75% with fees included.

Negative Impact on Your Credit

The downside of enrolling in a debt management plan is that it negatively affects your credit while incurring a certain degree of risk. While Accredited Debt Relief’s partners are negotiating a settlement on your behalf, you are required to stop paying on any of your outstanding balances.

This can result in having your accounts sent to collections or being personally sued. You may even incur additional debt from interest and fees accruing on your accounts.

Your credit score will most likely suffer from these events, limiting your future access to credit cards and loans. But if you’ve already defaulted on your payments and have few other options, debt settlement with Accredited Debt Relief may be a viable choice for you. An independent debt counselor can help you weigh all of your options.

Customer Profile

Accredited Debt Relief works with customers who are experiencing extreme financial hardship. You must truly be in need and be unable to meet your financial obligations.

You may even be on the brink of bankruptcy. In these instances, creditors are more likely to agree to a settlement of your unsecured debt so that they can avoid the collections process. Accredited Debt Relief also understands that they risk not receiving anything at all if you declare bankruptcy.

Accredited Debt Relief partners with debt relief companies across the country, so unlike other providers, you most likely qualify regardless of where you live. It doesn’t matter what type of unsecured debt you have. Whether it’s from a large creditor, medical bills, payday loans, or just a store credit card, Accredited Debt Relief can help you settle what you owe.

Accredited Debt Relief Application Process

Before starting your application, consider talking to a non-profit credit counseling agency about your financial situation. Because this is such a big decision, it’s helpful to get a professional opinion from someone who doesn’t have a vested interest in the outcome of your choice.

You can also apply directly online. Start by filling out your basic information, including your first and last names, your email address, phone number, state, and the total amount of debt you owe. From there, you’ll receive a quote on the services you’ll receive and the price you can expect to pay once Accredited Debt Relief negotiates your debt.

Between the secure online form and friendly staff, you never have to feel worried or embarrassed about your debt with Accredited Debt Relief. They deal with this every day, and you are certainly not the only person overwhelmed by your financial obligations.

Once the Process Starts

After you enroll in Accredited Debt Relief’s program, you’ll sign up all of your high balance credit cards, typically anything that’s over $500.

Accredited Debt Relief recommends that you keep one low balance card in case of a financial emergency, but otherwise, you won’t have access to any of your other cards. This prevents you from incurring more debt and is used as part of the negotiation to show creditors that you’re serious about permanently getting rid of your debt problem.

Monthly Payments

You’ll then begin depositing a predetermined amount of money into an account. While the account is set up in your name, it’s separated from your other bank accounts so you’re not tempted to dip into it. You’re expected to make monthly contributions between two and four years, which is the money used to pay off your settlements.

You do need to be diligent about making those monthly payments. The point is to make it an affordable amount but if you think you’re going to have trouble one month, be sure to reach out and contact customer service.

Accredited Debt Relief says they can make alternate arrangements if you let them know five business days ahead of your due date. But the more payments you miss, the longer the process will take because they use the final amount you save as part of the negotiating process.

Another essential part of the process to realize is that any debt amount forgiven can be considered taxable income by the IRS. So, when you complete the debt relief program, you might end up owing more in taxes because your income will be much higher. You can, however, apply for an exemption using Form 982.

Accredited Debt Relief Special Features

The debt relief company also offers a free consultation with a certified debt specialist and a no-risk guarantee with its services. That means you don’t pay any fees until you get results through the debt settlement program. Plus, Accredited Debt Relief’s partners have a combined experience of more than 20 years with thousands of success stories to relate.

Charities

Another bonus is that Accredited Debt Relief is actively involved in corporate social responsibility. They donate money to several charitable organizations, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Wounded Warrior Project, the Salvation Army, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and Father Joe’s Villages.

It’s nice to know that they show compassion to the greater community through various worthy charities. Accredited Debt Relief is also a member of the American Fair Credit Council, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators.

Accredited Debt Relief Reviews

One of the best ways to research debt settlement companies is by reading third-party reviews. You can discover what actual customers are saying about them before you choose to do business with them.

Accredited Debt Relief’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating is currently A+, an indicator of excellent customer service. They also have very few complaints. You can find more Accredited Debt Relief reviews at other review sites as well.

Is Debt Relief Right for You?

How can you tell if debt relief is right for you? It depends on how dire your financial situation has become. If you can still afford your monthly payments, it may not be worth signing up for a debt relief program.

It might take you years to pay off those balances, but at least you’re making timely payments and keeping your credit score intact. On the other hand, if one minor financial emergency would throw you off-kilter, then it might be worth considering settlement.

After all, at some point, your car will break down, or someone in your family will need an expensive trip to the hospital. If you’re not actively saving to prepare for those moments, it’s time to explore your debt relief options. Your goal should always be to save money regardless of your debt obligations.

Exploring Other Options

If you can’t do this, you’re setting yourself up for even more debt eventually in the future — probably when you least expect it. So start exploring your options. For example, can you save money on interest with a debt consolidation loan?

You’ll need decent credit to qualify, but you can aggressively commit to paying off your total amounts owed over a few years. Is it unlikely you can ever manage to pay off your credit card debt? Bankruptcy might be a viable option, but you could risk losing personal property to help offset what you owe.

Consider contacting a bankruptcy attorney to determine what type of bankruptcy you could qualify for and what the implications would be for you. Debt management could help you keep your home, car, and other possessions without the stigma of having a bankruptcy listed on your credit report for seven to ten years.