Start My Answer
loading...

How Do I Know if a Debt Settlement Company Is Legitimate?

Sarah Edwards | January 24, 2023

Sarah Edwards
Legal Expert
Sarah Edwards, BS

Sarah Edwards is a professional researcher and writer specializing in legal content. An Emerson College alumna, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication from the prestigious Boston institution.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Hannah Locklear
Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

SoloSettle is too legit to quit.

Summary: Debt settlement allows consumers to negotiate their outstanding debt with creditors. In a successful debt settlement, the person in debt makes a reduced lump sum payment in exchange for a full release from the obligation. How do I know if a debt settlement company is legitimate? SoloSuit explains below.

If you’re embarking on a debt settlement journey, you’ll want to find a company that isn’t looking to scam you out of your money. After all, you’re probably going through the process because you need financial help — you don’t want to worsen the situation.

Are you wondering, “How do I know if a debt settlement company is legitimate?” Here are a few of the things you’ll want to look at.

Avoid companies that charge exorbitant fees

One indicator of a scam company is lots of hefty upfront fees. If you’re trying to settle your debts, you don’t want to incur a heap of added expenses. The additional costs will eat into any savings from your settlements. And you definitely don’t want to pay a company up front when it hasn’t proven it can help you.

Instead, search for a company that doesn’t charge fees until after it settles your first debt. Make sure you understand the fee arrangement; most companies charge between 15% and 25% of the total debt for their services. If your organization charges more, it’s worth taking another look to see what’s out there.

Avoid companies with promises that seem too good to be true

Another indication of a bad debt settlement company is over-the-top guarantees. For instance, if the organization claims it can settle your debt for 5% of its total value, be very wary. A more realistic settlement is between 40% and 80% of the debt.

Other red-flag promises include a company that declares it has access to a particular program for debt settlement through the government or a secret formula it uses to eliminate debts.

Stay away from debt settlement companies that rely on scare tactics

Occasionally, scammy debt settlement agents will assume the role of a debt collector. They’ll tell you that you’ll face legal consequences for not paying your obligations, like a lawsuit or jail time.

While it’s possible that your creditors may start a lawsuit against you for not paying your debts, it’s doubtful they can put you in jail. There is no debtor’s prison in the US. Run like the wind if a debt settlement agency tells you otherwise.

Avoid organizations that don’t have any accreditations

Most states require debt settlement agencies to carry some form of licensure, such as business licenses or specific certifications that allow them to help consumers settle their debts.

Before enrolling in any debt settlement program, ask about the company's accreditations. It should be able to tell you whether it has a license from your state or other certifications, such as with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or American Fair Credit Council (AFCC).

Are you facing a debt lawsuit? SoloSettle can help you settle your debt before your court date.

How do I know if a debt settlement company is legitimate?

When working with a debt settlement company or its representatives, you might sense when it’s not all it claims to be. If your gut is telling you that something isn’t right, pay attention.

Let’s consider an example.

Example: Anna has $10,000 in credit card debt she wants to settle with three creditors. She contacts Sneaky Pete’s Debt Settlement Service after seeing an ad for its services online. Sneaky Pete tells Anna he can settle her debt for $1,000. He tells her to transfer the money directly to him, and he’ll use it to pay off her creditors. Sneaky Pete doesn’t provide any contract for his services nor ask her which companies she owes money to. He tells her not to worry about her debts anymore; she’ll have perfect credit after he does his magic. Anna’s on the fence. She feels this might be a scam (it is), and she decides to look at other debt settlement companies. She tells Sneaky Pete thanks, but no thanks. Anna made the right decision. Sneaky Pete’s services had a lot of red flags, such as big promises and a request for upfront payment. Anna can find another service that isn’t so sneaky.


Make sure you understand the tax consequences of debt settlement by watching this video:

Debt settlement can be helpful, but do your research first

Debt settlement can be a fruitful way to move on from a bad financial situation, but you don’t want to cast your net with a company that isn’t legitimate. Learn all you can about a settlement agency before agreeing to accept its help.

Use SoloSettle to settle a debt with your creditor today.

SoloSettle isn’t like traditional debt settlement companies

Unlike most debt settlement companies, SoloSettle uses a tech-based approach to help you settle the debt yourself.

Most debt settlement companies use a passive approach to negotiate a debt settlement for you. SoloSettle assertively reaches out to debt collectors on your behalf by sending and receiving settlement offers. You will stay in the loop with each stage of the process, and as soon as a debt settlement is reached, SoloSettle manages the agreement documentation and payment.

SoloSetlle is also powered by SoloSuit, which means if you are sued at any stage of the settlement process, you have a legal defense built in when you use SoloSuit to respond to your case.

Let’s take a look at an example of how a real SoloSettle customer settled his debt.

Example: Dan’s credit card company sold his debt account to Midland Credit Management who sued him for the $1,700 debt. He used SoloSettle to send a settlement offer of $300. Starting low gave him plenty of room to grow as Midland sent him a counteroffer. After a few rounds of negotiations, they were able to reach a debt settlement of $1,100. Dan saved hundreds of dollars, got the case dismissed, and gave himself a financial rest.


Check out Dan’s experience in his own words:

“I'm very thankful for SoloSettle.. Having a third party negotiate the settlement was instrumental in resolving this case and saved me from two giant headaches: 1) I didn't have to deal with the plaintiff's lawyer and 2) I didn't have to go to court. I also love that the payment was processed through SoloSettle. I was nervous about sharing my personal financial data with the other side, but SoloSettle protected that for me. I hope I never get sued again, but if I do, I would use SoloSettle again in a heartbeat.”

What is Solo?

Solo makes it easy to resolve debt with debt collectors.

You can use SoloSuit to respond to a debt lawsuit, to send letters to collectors, and even to settle a debt. SoloSuit's Answer service is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your Answer. Upon completion, we'll have an attorney review your document and we'll file it for you.

SoloSettle can help you contact your debt collector or creditor and negotiate the debt to settle for less, all online. It simplifies and streamlines the process to settling your debt.

No matter where you find yourself in the debt collection process, Solo is here to help you resolve your debt.

Respond with SoloSuit

Get Started

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)

How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

Guides on how to resolve debt with every debt collector

Are you being sued by a debt collector? We’re making guides on how to resolve debt with each one.

Resolve your debt with your creditor

Some creditors, banks, and lenders have an internal collections department. If they come after you for a debt, Solosuit can still help you respond and resolve the debt. Here’s a list of guides on how to resolve debt with different creditors.

Settle your medical debt

Having a health challenge is stressful, but dealing medical debt on top of it is overwhelming. Here are some resources on how to manage medical debt.

Guides on arbitration

If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.

Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

Stop calls from debt collectors

Do you keep getting calls from an unknown number, only to realize that it’s a debt collector on the other line? If you’ve been called by any of the following numbers, chances are you have collectors coming after you, and we’ll tell you how to stop them.

Federal debt collection laws can protect you

Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we’ve compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.

Get debt relief in your state

We’ve created a specialized guide on how to find debt relief in all 50 states, complete with steps to take to find relief, state-specific resources, and more.

Debt collection laws in all 50 states

Debt collection laws vary by state, so we have compiled a guide to each state’s debt collection laws to make it easier for you to stand up for your rights—no matter where you live.

Statute of limitations on debt state guides

Like all debt collection laws, the statute of limitations on debt varies by state. So, we wrote a guide on each state’s statutes. Check it out below.

Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection by State (Best Guide)

Check the status of your court case

Don’t have time to go to your local courthouse to check the status of your case? We’ve created a guide on how to check the status of your case in every state, complete with online search tools and court directories.

How to stop wage garnishment in your state

Forgot to respond to your debt lawsuit? The judge may have ordered a default judgment against you, and with a default judgment, debt collectors can garnish your wages. Here are our guides on how to stop wage garnishment in all 50 states.

Other wage garnishment resources

How to settle a debt in your state

Debt settlement is one of the most effective ways to resolve a debt and save money. We’ve created a guide on how to settle your debt in all 50 states. Find out how to settle in your state with a simple click and explore other debt settlement resources below.

How to settle with every debt collector

Not sure how to negotiate a debt settlement with a debt collector? We are creating guides to help you know how to start the settlement conversation and increase your chances of coming to an agreement with every debt collector.

Other debt settlement resources

Personal loan and debt relief reviews

We give a factual review of the following debt consolidation, debt settlement, and loan organizations and companies to help you make an informed decision before you take on a debt.

How to repair and improve your credit score

Debt has a big impact on your credit. Below is a list of guides on how to repair and improve your credit, even while managing major debt.

How to resolve student loan debt

Struggling with student debt? SoloSuit’s got you covered. Below are resources on handling student loan debt.

Civil law legal definitions

You can represent yourself in court. Save yourself the time and cost of finding an attorney, and use the following resources to understand legal definitions better and how they may apply to your case.

Get answers to these FAQs on debt collection

How-to debt guides

Learn more with these additional debt resources

It only takes 15 minutes.

And 50% of our customers' cases have been dismissed in the past.


"Finding yourself on the wrong side of the law unexpectedly is kinda scary. I started researching on YouTube and found SoloSuit's channel. The videos were so helpful, easy to understand and encouraging. When I reached out to SoloSuit they were on it. Very professional, impeccably prompt. Thanks for the service!" - Heather



Get Started

Contents