CuraDebt Review

Like many other companies that advertise debt relief services, CuraDebt uses a process known as debt settlement to help consumers get out of debt for less than their current balances. This process asks customers to stop making payments on unsecured debts they owe and to instead begin saving a set amount of money in a dedicated savings account each month. Once enough savings have accumulated, CuraDebt will negotiate with your creditors to help you settle debts for less than you currently owe in balances, interest, and fees. 

In addition to helping you settle debts for less, CuraDebt also promises to help you use laws like the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Telecommunications Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in your favor. Specifically, they aim to find creditor violations that can lead to cash settlements on your behalf, some debts dismissed, or both. If you sign up for one of their plans, you'll only pay fees as each of your debts is settled, and you could become debt free in 24 to 48 months. 

Pros Explained

• You won't pay any upfront fees to enroll in a debt relief program—only pay when you get results: CuraDebt doesn't charge any upfront fees, and you'll pay an average of 20% of each settled debt in fees as progress is made.
• Free consultation can help you see if debt settlement is right for you: You get the chance to speak with a debt counselor without any obligation, which can help you decide if debt settlement might work for your goals. 
• Get help negotiating tax debts and a broad range of unsecured debts: Where some debt relief companies don't help with tax debts, CuraDebt has tax advisors on staff who can help you deal with federal and state tax debts. 
• Boasts excellent user reviews online: CuraDebt has primarily excellent reviews on platforms like Trustpilot.
• Helps find creditor violations that can lead to cash settlements, dismissed debt amounts, or both: CuraDebt has in-house experts who know how to use laws like the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Telecommunications Consumer Protection Act to your advantage.

Cons Explained

• No mobile app available: Some debt relief companies offer a mobile app, yet CuraDebt does not provide that option.

Types of Debt Addressed

While CuraDebt focuses on helping clients negotiate and settle most types of unsecured debt, they advertise help with a broader range of debts than some competing firms. If you have any of the following types of debt, CuraDebt may be able to help:

Credit Card Debt

If you owe money on credit cards and you cannot seem to pay it off on your own, CuraDebt may be able to help. Keep in mind that this type of assistance could apply to traditional credit cards from issuers like Visa and Mastercard as well as store credit cards or private label credit cards. 

Medical Debt

Medical debts can also become a big problem, especially when you don't have health insurance. CuraDebt can bundle your medical debts with other unsecured debts you have, then help you pay them off for less than the amount owed. 

Personal Loans and Payday Loans

Personal and payday loans also qualify for debt settlement, as well as unsecured lines of credit you may have gotten with a bank or another financial institution.

Tax Debts

CuraDebt also has dedicated tax counselors who can help you repay past due tax debts. This type of help is available in all 50 states, and federal tax experts are available if you owe money to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 

Private Student Loans

While federal student loans do not qualify for debt settlement, CuraDebt can help you negotiate the private student loan debt you owe. 

Client Onboarding

CuraDebt doesn't advertise a specific minimum amount of debt you need to qualify for their program. However, they offer a free consultation to help you learn more about the debt settlement process and see if you can qualify. While you have the option to speak with a debt counselor over the phone, CuraDebt also accepts in-person appointments at their office in Hollywood, Florida. 

During the free consultation, you can ask questions and determine if debt settlement is for you. If you choose to get started with the program, you'll receive a tailored debt settlement plan and instructions on how to begin saving money for future debt settlement. Based on the specifics of your situation, you may be able to settle and pay off all your unsecured debts within 24 to 48 months.

Customer Service

While CuraDebt doesn't offer a mobile app, it does offer phone customer service as well as email-based customer service. You can also schedule an in-person visit at its office in Hollywood, Florida, if you live in the area or want to drive there.

If you want to speak with a debt counselor, you can call customer service Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CuraDebt doesn't offer phone assistance or in-office visits on Sundays. 

Company Reputation

While the debt relief industry does offer legitimate services to consumers who desperately need them, plenty of predatory businesses offer questionable services in this space. As a result, you should follow Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warnings and guidelines regarding how to avoid debt relief and credit scams. 

Start by researching companies you may want to use for debt settlement, which you can do in a few ways. Check for open cases with the FTC, for starters, and search the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) database for complaints.

On a positive note, CuraDebt is not subject to any current investigations with the FTC, and they don't have any registered complaints with the CFPB. Further, CuraDebt boasts excellent reviews from actual customers on platforms such as Trustpilot. 

Also, note that CuraDebt is a member in good standing with the American Fair Credit Council (AFCC). The company is also certified by the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA).

Average Relief Amount

While CuraDebt doesn't advertise an average amount of relief you can qualify for on its website, the company shares some client results from 2021 and previous years showing savings of 65% to 85%. 

Average Time for Relief

CuraDebt states that the length of your debt settlement plan can depend on factors such as how much debt you have and how much you can save each month. However, they advertise an average program length of 24 to 48 months.

Cost

CuraDebt doesn't charge any upfront fees, and you only pay when you get results. This company is also upfront about its pricing structure. They advertise an average fee amount of 20% of each of your settled debts, which is on par with the industry average of 15% to 25%. 

The Competition: CuraDebt vs. Freedom Debt Relief

Before you enroll in a debt settlement plan, take the time to compare services and pricing with at least two to three other debt relief firms. With that in mind, we took the liberty of comparing CuraDebt to Freedom Debt Relief, another highly-rated debt relief company.

First, you'll notice that CuraDebt and Freedom Debt Relief have been around longer than many competing debt relief firms. Both offer a free consultation to help you decide if debt settlement is for you, and both advertise average program lengths of 24 to 48 months.

However, Freedom Debt Relief does stand out in a few categories, including offering an online client dashboard. While having an online dashboard may not seem like a big deal, many customers prefer to have access to their own portal where they can track their debt relief plan and progress in real-time. 

Freedom Debt Relief also advertises fees that start at 15% of your settled debt amount, which could mean you'll pay less overall than you might with CuraDebt. Overall, we believe these factors make Freedom Debt Relief a slightly better option for debt settlement.

Final Verdict

CuraDebt is definitely a reputable debt relief company to consider, and we feel confident recommending them for your debt relief needs. Not only do they not charge any upfront fees, but they are very transparent about their services and fees on their website. They also have excellent user reviews, and they may be able to help you settle your debts for 50% of what you owe, or perhaps even less.

Methodology

Investopedia compared more than 15 top debt relief companies to find the best in terms of stability (5%), reputation and customer satisfaction (10%), customer experience (7%), services (30%), and cost and fees (48%). We considered whether companies had a membership with the American Fair Credit Council, as well as how long they have been in business. We reviewed the types of services offered, like counseling, debt settlement, tax relief, and more. We also compared companies' money-back guarantees, upfront fees, fee percentage closed, and cancellation policies. For more about how we rate, review, and select the best debt relief companies, read our full methodology.