Debt & Bankruptcy

Debt Settlement & Relief Services

Debt settlement and other debt relief services promise to help consumers pay their bills for less than full value. But these services often cheat consumers with high fees and rarely deliver on their promises. NCLC works to educate federal and state officials about abuses in the debt relief industry and helps advocates develop better consumer protections.

Recent

View All for Recent
Testimony Against Washington Debt Adjustment Bill HB 1599

February 4, 2025

Comment on Proposed Amendments to Wisconsin’s Debt Adjustment Services Rule

September 27, 2024

Joint Comments to California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation on Proposed Debt Settlement Rules

May 18, 2023

Letter in opposition to NJ S-S2989; Debt Settlement Legalization Bill

December 19, 2022

Asking the Wrong Question: A Critique of the Debt Settlement Industry’s Data Analysis

October 1, 2020

How to File a Complaint with the CFPB About Debt Settlement or Other Debt Relief Services

September 8, 2020

Statement Regarding CFPB Settlement with Nation’s Largest Debt Relief Company

July 9, 2019

Advocates Applaud CFPB for Suing Firms Accused of Illegally Taking Upfront Fees for Credit Repair Services

May 3, 2019

Need Help with Debts? Don’t Get Burned by Scammers—Know the Facts About Debt Relief!

March 29, 2018

Comments & Letters

View All for Comments & Letters
Comment on Proposed Amendments to Wisconsin’s Debt Adjustment Services Rule

September 27, 2024

Joint Comments to California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation on Proposed Debt Settlement Rules

May 18, 2023

Letter in opposition to NJ S-S2989; Debt Settlement Legalization Bill

December 19, 2022

Comments on the proposed revisions to the Uniform Debt-Management Services Act (UDMSA)

March 18, 2011

Comments on the NCCUSL Uniform Debt-Management Service Act

March 1, 2006

Reports

View All for Reports
Student Loan “Debt Relief” Industry Targets Desperate Borrowers

June 19, 2013

An Investigation of Debt Settlement Companies: An Unsettling Business for Consumers

March 9, 2005

Issue Briefs

View All for Issue Briefs
Asking the Wrong Question: A Critique of the Debt Settlement Industry’s Data Analysis

October 1, 2020

Need Help with Debts? Don’t Get Burned by Scammers—Know the Facts About Debt Relief!

March 29, 2018

Press Releases & News

View All for Press Releases & News
Statement Regarding CFPB Settlement with Nation’s Largest Debt Relief Company

July 9, 2019

Advocates Applaud CFPB for Suing Firms Accused of Illegally Taking Upfront Fees for Credit Repair Services

May 3, 2019

Need Help With Debts? Don’t Get Burned by Scammers – Know the Facts About Debt Relief

March 29, 2018

Resources for Consumers

View All for Resources for Consumers
How to File a Complaint with the CFPB About Debt Settlement or Other Debt Relief Services

September 8, 2020

Need Help With Debts? Don’t Get Burned by Scammers – Know the Facts About Debt Relief

March 29, 2018

From the NCLC Digital Library

Federal Deception Law

NCLC’s treatise on today’s hottest consumer litigation area, containing the most detailed and up to date analysis of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the FTC Holder Rule, and more.

Read Chapter One