Freedom Debt Relief Review

If you're struggling with credit card debt and other bills you can't seem to pay off, Freedom Debt Relief offers a potential solution. This company aims to help you negotiate and settle your debts for less than what you owe, although you'll pay fees based on a percentage of the debt they help settle on your behalf.

Like other debt relief companies, Freedom Debt Relief offers a free consultation that can help you envision how the process might work in your situation. You will also get an estimate of how much you could save during this phone call, as well as how long you can expect to be in the program.  

Pros Explained

• Certified Debt Consultants help you negotiate and settle your debts: Freedom Debt Relief employs Certified Debt Consultants who are trained in the debt settlement process. These professionals are experienced in helping consumers figure out how to settle their debts so they can move on with their lives.
• Track your progress in real time with the client dashboard: Freedom Debt Relief offers a client dashboard that lets you log in and track your debt settlement progress 24 hours a day. This may be immensely helpful for anyone who wants to see how their plan is working in real time. Also, note that not all debt relief companies offer an online portal. 
• No upfront settlement fees: Once you sign up for the program, you won't be required to pay any fees up front. You'll only pay a percentage of fees based on the amount of debt settled, and only when you get results. 

Cons Explained

• Fees can run as high as 25% of settled debt: You may also pay as much as 25% of your settled debt amount in fees with Freedom Debt Relief.

Types of Debt Addressed

Freedom Debt Relief helps their clients negotiate and settle any unsecured debts they have. This means they focus on debts that are not secured by collateral. Examples of the types of debt this company can help with are explained below. 

Credit Card Debt 

Freedom Debt Relief focuses most of their efforts on helping clients negotiate and pay off credit card debt. Considering the average interest rate is currently at 16.26%, it's easy to see how clients might run into trouble and need help settling their debts (including principal and interest payments) for less than they owe.

Medical Bills

Medical debt has become an enormous problem in the United States, and that's even true for people who have health insurance. Freedom Debt Relief works with hospitals and medical providers to negotiate medical debt for less than the total bill. 

Private Student Loans

Freedom Debt Relief also says that, in some cases, they'll help negotiate and settle private student loan debt. However, they do not help with federal student loans.

Client Onboarding

To work with Freedom Debt Relief, you need to have at least $7,500 in unsecured debt, which can include credit card debt, medical bills, and other personal debts you have. You also need to be experiencing a "legitimate financial hardship," and it's actually helpful if you're behind on your bills. In fact, Freedom Debt Relief states that your creditors are unlikely to negotiate with you if you're paying your bills in full and on time. 

When you call Freedom Debt Relief, you'll get a free consultation that can help you discern if debt settlement is for you. During this consultation, you'll go over your debts and find out how much you could save, as well as the time frame you may need to be in the program.

Customer Service

Freedom Debt Relief offers customer service options over the phone, chat, or through email. Customer service agents are available seven days a week, including Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Certified Debt Consultants are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Chat is available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. ET.

Freedom Debt Relief does stand out due to its online client dashboard. With the client dashboard, you can log in at any time to oversee your account, upload documents, or track your progress.

Company Reputation

The debt relief industry is, unfortunately, rife with scams and companies who offer false promises. For example, some debt relief companies might try to get you to pay fees up front before services are provided, or they might enroll you in their program without explaining the risks. Because of this, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends checking out debt relief companies with your state Attorney General and local consumer protection agencies before you move forward. 

You can also utilize the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) database to look up information on any debt settlement companies you may be considering.

The CFPB filed a lawsuit against Freedom Debt Relief in 2017 on claims they tried to charge consumers an advance fee, and that they didn't inform customers of their rights to money they deposited with the company for debt settlement purposes. Ultimately, Freedom Debt Relief settled this lawsuit in 2019 after paying $20 million to affected customers as well as $5 million in civil penalties.

If you have a complaint about the services of a debt relief company, you can file a complaint with the FTC or call 877-FTC-HELP.

Average Relief Amount

While the amount of debt relief you can qualify for may depend on where you live and how much you owe, Freedom Debt Relief claims they can help settle your debts for significantly less than what you owe. Just remember that you'll owe debt settlement fees in exchange for their assistance negotiating and settling your debts. 

Average Time for Relief

Freedom Debt Relief claims their program usually lasts for 24 to 48 months, although it could take less time (or more time) depending on your circumstances. This timeline is about average among other debt relief companies. 

Cost

When you settle debt with Freedom Debt Relief, you don't owe any upfront fees. Instead, you pay fees based on a percentage of the debt you settle, which will normally range between 15% to 25%. Freedom Debt Relief claims that your fees can vary based on the details of your situation and the state you live in. 

Since many debt relief companies don't disclose their fees on their website, the fact Freedom Debt Relief does should be seen as a plus. Also note that, among companies that do disclose their fees, 15% to 25% is the average charged.

The Competition: Freedom Debt Relief vs. National Debt Relief

Freedom Debt Relief and National Debt Relief have a lot of similarities. Both companies offer a free consultation, and they both promise to help consumers settle debt for less than they owe. Both also charge similar fees (15% to 25% of your debt) and they say that, on average, consumers work through their programs in 24 to 48 months. These companies also offer similar customer service options by phone or email, and they each offer an online client dashboard or portal where you can log in and track your progress.

However, National Debt Relief stands out due to its third-party ratings. Furthermore, Freedom Debt Relief has been sued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in the last five years for unethical business practices, whereas National Debt Relief has not. Because of this and other factors, National Debt Relief scored a weighted average of 4.63 stars out of 5 in our debt relief study, compared to just 3.8 stars out of 5 for Freedom Debt Relief. 

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How We Review Debt Relief Companies

Investopedia compared more than 15 top debt relief companies to find the best in terms of third-party rankings, company reputation, customer service, and product offerings. We gave preference to companies with ample customer service options and accessibility over the phone or online, and we looked for providers who are transparent about their pricing and services. Based on our ranking, Freedom Debt Relief earned 3.68 out of 5 stars total, as well as our ranking as the best option for "best interactive program."