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Freedom Debt Relief Review
In a nutshell: Freedom Debt Relief helps U.S. consumers simplify and reduce unsecured debt, credit cards, medical bills, private student loans, collections, and more, by negotiating settlements for less than owed. Clients save in an FDIC‑insured account they control, pay no upfront fees, and only pay 15–25% of the settled debt. The program spans roughly 24–48 months.
Freedom Debt Relief Review
In a nutshell: Freedom Debt Relief helps U.S. consumers simplify and reduce unsecured debt, credit cards, medical bills, private student loans, collections, and more, by negotiating settlements for less than owed. Clients save in an FDIC‑insured account they control, pay no upfront fees, and only pay 15–25% of the settled debt. The program spans roughly 24–48 months.
Freedom Debt Relief Review
In a nutshell: Freedom Debt Relief helps U.S. consumers simplify and reduce unsecured debt, credit cards, medical bills, private student loans, collections, and more, by negotiating settlements for less than owed. Clients save in an FDIC‑insured account they control, pay no upfront fees, and only pay 15–25% of the settled debt. The program spans roughly 24–48 months.
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Overview

Freedom Debt Relief, founded in 2002 and based in California, is one of the largest U.S. debt resolution firms. It has served over 1 million clients and settled more than $20 billion in unsecured debt.

The company negotiates reduced settlements on unsecured debts like credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, private student loans (case-by-case), collections, lines of credit, repossessions, and some payday loans. Not eligible for settlement are secured debts (like mortgages, auto loans), taxes, utility bills, lawsuits, and federal student loans.

Clients deposit monthly into an FDIC‑insured dedicated account they control. Freedom Debt Relief does not manage these funds directly. Negotiations begin when the account funds are sufficient. Settlement offers require client approval before payment, and only then are fees applied, ranging from 15% to 25% of enrolled debt, plus a $9.95 one-time setup fee and $9.95 monthly account servicing fee charged by the account provider.

The program's length typically ranges from 24 to 48 months, depending on your savings pace, debt amount, and creditors involved.

Freedom is accredited with the BBB (A+ rating), is a founding member of the AADR, a platinum member of the IAPDA, and boasts strong customer reviews (Trustpilot 4.6/5 from 45k+, ConsumerAffairs awards).

Pros

  • Free, no‑obligation debt consultation
  • No upfront fees—pay only after settlements
  • FDIC‑insured dedicated account controlled by you
  • A+ BBB accreditation and industry certifications

Cons

  • Voluntary missed payments may lower a credit score
  • Fees of 15–25% of enrolled debt, plus account fees
  • Possible tax implications on forgiven debt

Application Process

  1. Free Consultation – Speak with a Certified Debt Consultant to evaluate your debt relief options versus alternatives like consolidation, bankruptcy, or credit counseling.
  2. Enrollment – If chosen, you sign up and open an FDIC-insured dedicated account via Crossroads Financial Technologies; you make your own deposits.
  3. Deposits – You save monthly based on a customized plan designed to build funds for settlement.
  4. Negotiation – Once funds are sufficient, Freedom negotiates with your creditors. Each offer is sent to you for review and approval.
  5. Settlement - After you approve, a payment is issued from the account. Freedom’s fee is then processed.
  6. Completion – Once debts are settled, you’re debt-free under the program structure.

Debt Services

Freedom specializes in debt settlement, working with unsecured debt by negotiating reduced payment amounts. They do not offer loans themselves but may refer to affiliate lenders if debt consolidation is an option.

Types of Debt Covered

  • Included: Credit cards, department store cards, medical bills, personal loans, private student loans (case-by-case), collections, lines of credit, repossessions, payday loans.
  • Excluded: Secured loans, federal student loans, taxes, utilities, lawsuits.

Customer Support

  • Phone Support:
    Prospective clients: 800‑910‑0065 (Mon–Fri 8 AM–11 PM EST; Sat–Sun 9 AM–9 PM EST).
    Current clients: Mon–Thu 8 AM–9 PM EST; Fri 8 AM–8 PM; Sat–Sun 10 AM–8 PM EST.
  • Address: 1875 S Grant Street, Suite 400, San Mateo, CA 94402.
  • Email Contacts: support@freedomdebtrelief.com, info@freedomdebtrelief.com (use the official site for accurate contacts).

AI was used in the creation of this content, along with human validation and proofreading.

prosAndCons icon
Pros
  • Free, no‑obligation debt consultation
  • No upfront fees—pay only after settlements
  • FDIC‑insured dedicated account controlled by you
  • A+ BBB accreditation and industry certifications
prosAndCons icon
Cons
  • Voluntary missed payments may lower a credit score
  • Fees of 15–25% of enrolled debt, plus account fees
  • Possible tax implications on forgiven debt
Freedom at a Glance
9.6Editorial Score
Application process
10
Application process is mostly online and requires only essential documentation
Customer support
10
Available seven days a week via phone and email, responsive and friendly service reps
Eligibility criteria
8.0
Available in 34 states, requires evidence of financial hardship but flexible in documentation, accepts various unsecured debts
Customer rewards
10
No upfront fees, program guarantee where if the total program settlement cost exceeds the amount of debt initially enrolled
Financial tools and resources
10
Comprehensive credit monitoring services, access to legal advice, personalized budgeting tools, and flexible loan options
FAQs About Debt Consolidation Loans
Looking to improve your financial well-being and simplify your monthly payments? In addition to comparing some of the best debt consolidation loan companies, we've compiled some of the most commonly asked questions about debt consolidation loans to help you make an informed decision.
What is a Debt Consolidation Loan?
A debt consolidation loan is a financial tool that allows borrowers to combine multiple high-interest debts into a single, fixed-rate loan with one monthly payment. Debt consolidation loans often offer lower interest rates than credit cards, making them a practical option for managing debt more effectively. By consolidating debt into a structured loan, you gain better control over your finances and can work toward becoming debt-free on a predictable timeline.
How Does a Debt Consolidation Loan Work?
Borrowers typically have two primary options for consolidating debt:
  • Balance transfer credit card: A 0% interest balance transfer credit card allows borrowers to transfer multiple debts onto a single card and pay off the balance within a promotional period.
  • Debt consolidation loan: A fixed-rate personal loan designed for loan consolidation, where the borrower receives a lump sum to pay off existing debts and then repays the new loan in fixed monthly installments.

Choosing the best debt consolidation loan depends on your financial situation, credit score, and interest rates offered by different debt consolidation loan companies.
Does debt consolidation affect credit?
A debt consolidation loan can impact credit in both positive and negative ways:
  • Potential benefits: Making consistent, on-time payments can improve your credit score over time. Additionally, consolidating multiple accounts may help lower your credit utilization ratio.
  • Potential drawbacks: If a borrower continues to accumulate new debt after consolidating, their credit score could suffer. Late or missed payments on the new loan can also negatively affect credit scores.

Choosing the best debt consolidation loan depends on your financial situation, credit score, and interest rates offered by different debt consolidation loan companies.
What is the Best Debt Consolidation Loan Option?
The best debt consolidation loan for you will depend on several factors, including:
  • • Total debt amount and type of debt (credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, etc.).
  • •Financial history and credit score (affects loan eligibility and interest rates).
  • • Total debt amount and type of debt (credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, etc.).
  • •Repayment terms and interest rates (compare lenders for the best offers).

Borrowers should compare the best debt consolidation loans by reviewing different lenders, loan terms, and interest rates. Our comparison tool provides insights into the best debt consolidation loan companies, helping you find a lender that fits your needs.
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