Setup Fee: 15%
Monthly Fee: None
Settlement Fee: None

TASC Members: Yes
BBB Complaints: 1

In Business Since: December 2002

Freedom Debt is a San Antonio, TX based debt settlement company. Freedom debt charges a standard 15% of your total debt amount with no other fees. The company has 1 complaint in the last 36 month with the Better Business Bureau (the complaint is unresolved). The BBB has awarded them a D rating.

Freedom Debt has been in business since late 2002 and are members of TASC. They also allow clients to save money in their own bank accounts, something which is relatively rare in the industry. They claim to have a client base of over 60,000. One BBB complaint for a company this large is pretty impressive but the complaint is listed as unresolved, which is not a good sign. They might be able to provide more information on that incident.

Money back guarantee: Minus fees.
Stop creditor calls: Will send cease and desist to creditors.
Make monthly payment to creditors: No
Can I get sued while on program: Yes.
Tax Consequences: Consult a CPA.
Credit Impact: There will be a negative credit impact.
Where do they hold money: At your own bank.

• Overall Rating: 10.0
• Price: 9.0
• Service: 10.0

Setup Fee: 17%
Monthly Fee: None
Settlement Fee: None

TASC Members: Yes
BBB Complaints: 2

In Business Since: March 2008

Kazlow and Tucker Debt Relief is a Lake Forest, California based debt settlement company. Kazlow and Tucker have been in business since March 2008. During that time they have received 2 Better Business Bureau complaints and they currently have an F rating with the BBB. They are members of The Association of Settlement Companies (TASC).

Kazlow and Tucker charges a flat 17% of your debt amount. This is a full 2% higher than the average debt settlement program. This means that you will pay an extra $200 in fees for every $10,000 of debt you enroll. This can be a pretty significant fee increase for those with high debt amounts, I would be sure to see how their service is significantly better than the competition.

Do salespeople earn commission: No
Stop creditor calls: No – all correspondence should be re-directed to them.
Make monthly payment to creditors: No
Can I get sued while on program: They will be available for phone consultation should this occur.
Tax Consequences: Will receive 1099 form.
Credit Impact: Will be negative at first.
Where do they hold money: Note World

• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Price: 1.0
• Service: 1.0

Setup Fee: 15%
Monthly Fee: None
Settlement Fee: None
Application Fee: $199

TASC Members: Yes
BBB Complaints: 0

In Business Since: January 2007

Debt 1 Solutions, also known as Debt One Solutions, is based out of North Palm Beach, FL. They have been in business since January 2007 and have received zero Better Business Bureau complaints, giving them a B+ rating with the BBB. They are also members of TASC.

Debt 1 Solutions charges a flat 15% of your debt amount plus a one time $199 application fee. The application is pretty unusual in the industry and I would ask them to waive it. If they refuse, I would look elsewhere. I was also told that they are able to stop creditors calls. Unless they have you change your phone number, there is no way for them to guarantee creditor calls will stop. They are a TASC member but business history is short and there were a couple questionable responses. Please perform your own due diligence.

Do salespeople earn commission: No
Stop creditor calls: Yes
Make monthly payment to creditors: No
Can I get sued while on program: Assured that situation would be resolved before legal action.
Tax Consequences: Will receive 1099 form.
Where do they hold money: Rocky Mountain Bank and Trust

Setup Fee: 15%
Monthly Fee: None
Settlement Fee: None

TASC Members: Yes
BBB Complaints: 1

In Business Since: March 2005

Franklin Debt Relief is a Chicago, IL based debt settlement company. They has been in business since March of 2005. Franklin Debt Relief has a satisfactory rating with the BBB. They have only received one Better Business Bureau complaint in the past 36 months. Franklin Debt Relief is a member of TASC.

Franklin Debt Relief charges a standard 15% of your total debt amount spread out over the first 18 months of your program. They do not charge a setup or settlement fee. FDR uses Note World to store your money while on the program. They manage around $25 million in debt.

Do salespeople earn commission: No
Money back guarantee: No fees will be refunded
Stop creditor calls: No
Make monthly payment to creditors: No
Can I get sued while on program: Didn’t get an answer
Tax Consequences: Possibly, contact accountant
Where do they hold money: Note World

Setup Fee: 15%
Monthly Fee: None
Settlement Fee: None

TASC Members: Yes
BBB Complaints: 23

In Business Since: June 2006

GHS Solutions, also known as GHS Debt Solutions is a Florida based debt settlement company. GHS charges the industry standard 15% of your total debt amount spread out over the first 18 months of your program with GHS taking the first 4 payments for fees. GHS Solutions is a member of TASC. They have received 23 complaints over the last 36 months with the Better Business Bureau, 4 of which are unresolved at this point. They have received an F rating from the BBB.

I was told my accounts would be settled for 25 to 35 cents on the dollar, which is red flag. They also take the first 4 payments to fees, with the standard being the first 3 payments. The company has been in business for less than three years which is not unreasonable but you should check on their client base to make sure things are stable with the company.

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• Overall Rating: 3.6
• Price: 3.3
• Service: 3.7

Setup Fee: 10-15% (I was quoted 12%)
Monthly Fee: None
Settlement Fee: None

TASC Members: Yes
BBB Complaints: 0

In Business Since: June 2006

Eagle One Debt Solutions is a Pennsylvania based debt settlement company. Eagle One charges 10-15% of your total debt amount. I was quoted 12% with a $20,000 debt load. They break up that 12% over the first 18 months of your program. This is a nice bonus since most settlement companies put 100% of the first 3 payments towards their fees. Eagle One allows you to start saving immediately.

Eagle One Debt Solutions is a TASC member. Have been operating since June 2006 and have been listed with the BBB since February of 2007. They have zero complaints during that time period. Their explanation of their program was pretty upfront and honest. Their one potential negative could be that they have not been in business for an extended period. As always, please perform your due diligence.

• Overall Rating: 7.2
• Price: 7.6
• Service: 7.2

Setup Fee: 15%
Monthly Fee: $30
Settlement Fee: None

TASC Members: Yes
BBB Complaints: 0

In Business Since: June 2006

Capital Debt Settlement is a Fresno, CA based debt settlement company. The BBB gives them an A- rating, with zero complaints in the past 36 months. The business was incorporated in June 2006 but was started in April 2003, so they have been in business for some time. Capital charges the industry standard 15% of your total debt amount. They also charge a $30 monthly service fee. This makes them just slightly more expensive than the average.

Capital Debt Settlement is a TASC member. When you speak to them, they will also send you out a packet with what they call “Debt Talk”. This includes settlement letters from previous clients. This is something more settlement companies should be willing to do, though they are obviously just going to send you the best settlements they have achieved and those letters should NOT be considered average.

• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Price: 3.0
• Service: 3.3

Setup Fee: 13.95%
Monthly Fee: None
Settlement Fee: None

TASC Members: Yes
BBB Complaints: 0

In Business Since: June 2006

America Debt Resolutions or ADR is a Dallas, TX based debt settlement company. ADR charges a flat 13.95% of your total debt. It’s a strange percentage but it lower than the industry average of 15%. They do not charge any monthly or settlement fees, which is also great. America Debt Resolutions allows you to save money in either your own bank or they can set up a separate account for you.

ADR has been in business since June of 2006. They have received zero BBB complaints in that time. They are also members of TASC. These are both great signs. ADR also allows their local clients to come into their offices and meet with their account managers. This personal touch is quite uncommon with debt settlement companies. As always, please do your due diligence but American Debt Resolutions seems to be a great choice.

• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Price: 1.0
• Service: 1.0

Setup Fee: 15%
Monthly Fee: None
Settlement Fee: None

TASC Members: Yes
BBB Complaints: 139

In Business Since: December 2002

Freedom Debt Relief, which is part of the Freedom Financial Network, charges a standard 15% of your total debt amount. This 15% is spread out over the first 19 months of your program. Their programs range in length from 24 to 36 months. Freedom Debt Relief is one of the larger debt settlement companies in the nation. I was told they have over 50,000 active clients. This can be good or bad depending on the level of personal service you like to receive.

Freedom has received 139 Better Business Bureau complaints over the past 36 months. Of these 139 complaints, only 84 have been closed. This means 55 complaints are still outstanding and have received no resolution. FDR’s website shows them as being an accredited member of TASC, yet when I visit the TASC site and look at their business listing, they are only being shown as a regular member. You should ask about this discrepancy when shopping for their services.

• Overall Rating: 4.3
• Price: 1.0
• Service: 4.3

Setup Fee: 15%
Monthly Fee: $38.75
Settlement Fee: None

TASC Members: Yes
BBB Complaints: 0

In Business Since: December 2006

Prestige Financial Solutions is a TASC accredited member. They also have an accredited status and an A- rating with the Better Business Bureau. Prestige charges 15% of your total debt amount and $38.75 per month which is made up of $30 per month in “maintenance charges” and $8.75 per month in banking charges. This makes them slightly more expensive than your average debt settlement company. Prestige Financial Solutions has been in business since December of 2006 according to the BBB, however, I was told they had been in business for five years by one of their representatives.

Prestige has a great record with the BBB, 0 complaints in the last 36 months and an accredited status. They are also an accredited member of TASC. Both of these factors may make the extra fees worthwhile for some consumers.

• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Price: 3.0
• Service: 3.5