Top Debt Management Companies To Consider in 2024
Choosing a debt management company can be the first step toward eliminating debt and getting into a better financial position. However, choosing a reputable company is essential. Without doing some research, you could end up spending more than you need to or even become a victim of fraud.
If you’re ready to tackle your debt, this guide can help. It will go over what you should look for in a debt management company, the benefits of working with one, top companies to work with and more.
What To Look for in a Debt Management Company
Choosing a debt management company doesn’t have to be difficult. You should keep in mind four important details:
- Accreditation: A good debt management company will be accredited by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or, alternatively, the Financial Counseling Association of America.
- Past customer reviews: A debt management company with thousands of five-star reviews is more trustworthy than one with few or no reviews. Read what past customers have to say about how the company helped them.
- Fees: Debt management companies generally charge anything from nothing to $35 to set up a debt management plan. There may also be a monthly fee.
- Transparency: Good debt management companies will be transparent, allowing you to know the terms and conditions of the repayment process.
Now, just as there are things to look for in a good debt management company, there are also items that reflect that a company could be a scam or cost you more than expected.
Watch out for these red flags to keep yourself safe:
- Fees to get started. If you’re asked to pay fees up front that are more than just a startup fee of around $35, be wary.
- A lack of transparency. If you can’t figure out how long it will take to repay your debts or the services or fees aren’t clear, look elsewhere for another debt management solution.
- No accreditation. Accreditation verifies that a company knows what it’s doing and is legitimate. Not having accreditation means you should look elsewhere for help.
- Negative reviews. One or two poor reviews isn’t a big deal out of thousands. However, if the balance of negative reviews to positive reviews is skewed toward bad experiences, beware.
The Benefits of Using a Debt Management Company
Finding a good debt management company can be extremely helpful when you are struggling with debt. A debt management company can help you reduce stress by setting up a plan for repayment that you can adhere to. And, because this company may be able to help you get lower interest rates and create a manageable payment plan, working together could get you back on track financially sooner than you’d thought.
Keep in mind that debt management solutions may positively or negatively impact your credit. Making payments on time, reducing what you owe, and reducing your credit utilization rate will all help raise your credit score. However, if you get any accounts paid off for less than you owe or you close an account, your credit score may drop. Ultimately, though, working toward having no debt at all in the future is in your best interest.
Criteria for Ranking the Best Debt Management Companies
How can you find a good debt management company to work with? We’re here to help. We have assembled a list of the top five debt management companies based on factors such as cost, the services offered, customer satisfaction and industry reputation.
Top 5 Debt Management Companies in 2024
Wondering which debt management company to choose? We’ve selected five that make repaying your debt simple. All five are nonprofit organizations and have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
- American Consumer Credit Counseling
- Credit.org
- Money Management International
- GreenPath
- Incharge Debt Solutions
Detailed Reviews of the Best Debt Management Companies
American Consumer Credit Counseling
American Consumer Credit Counseling offers multiple services including debt management programs, debt consolidation, credit counseling, bankruptcy counseling, debt settlement and housing counseling. It charges a $39 fee to enroll and then $7 per month, but those fees are subject to change. Importantly, this nonprofit runs in every state and has had only six complaints in the last three years and has 4.98/5 stars with the BBB.
Credit.org
Credit.org is available in all 50 states and offers a number of services to its clients. This includes debt management programs, debt settlement, debt counseling, bankruptcy counseling, student loan counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, credit counseling, homebuyer counseling and foreclosure assistance. With a wide range of programs and services, it can assist with most circumstances. The enrollment fees range from $0 to $50, and monthly fees can be anywhere from $0 to $75. Credit.org has zero negative reviews on BBB and 4.9/5 stars.
Money Management International
Money Management International has more complaints than some debt management companies on this list (14 in the last three years), but it’s available in all 50 states and is legitimate. MMI offers credit counseling, debt management plans, student loan counseling, bankruptcy counseling, foreclosure counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, post-disaster financial recovery counseling and financial workshops. It does charge fees based on the size of the debt, but the average is $33 to set up the plan and $25 a month. It sets the maximum fees at $75 for enrollment and $59 per month for debt management plans. Consumers rate it highly on BBB (4.89/5 stars), TrustPilot (4.6) and Google Reviews (4.8).
GreenPath
GreenPath offers debt management programs, debt counseling, student loan counseling, foreclosure prevention, reverse mortgage counseling and homebuyer counseling to its clients. Unlike some programs, the nonprofit’s fees do depend on the state and the amount of debt to be managed. GreenPath reports that its average enrollment fee is $35, and the monthly fee is usually around $28. GreenPath has some complaints against it — 28 in the last three years — and lower ratings with the BBB (4.67/5 stars) and TrustPilot (3 stars). But, it’s available in all 50 states, so it is widely accessible.
InCharge Debt Solutions
InCharge Debt Solutions is in our top five because it offers a number of helpful services including credit counseling, debt management programs, debt consolidation programs, housing counseling, bankruptcy counseling, credit card debt forgiveness, foreclosure prevention counseling and eviction help. It has rates in line with other providers, including free counseling, a $75 fee to set up a debt management plan and monthly fees that average $33 per month. InCharge Debt Solutions has had nine BBB complaints in the last three years. It’s only available in 16 states, which may mean that it’s not an option for everybody. The clients who do use it are relatively satisfied, giving it 4 stars on Google Reviews, 3.46/5 on BBB and 4.7 on TrustPilot.
Frequently Asked Questions About Debt Management Companies
How do debt management companies work?
A debt management company groups your debts together into a single plan, allowing you to pay back what you owe with a single monthly payment. Usually, the plan is between three to five years in length and may have reduced interest to help you get ahead.
What are the costs involved with debt management plans?
Usually, debt management plans cost between $0 and $35 to set up the plan. Then, you may have a monthly fee on top, but the exact fee will vary based on the plan. Be sure to discuss the fees associated with a debt management plan upfront before you sign a contract.
What are the pros and cons of working with debt management companies?
The positives of working with a debt management company include having support when negotiating reduced interest rates or combining all your debts into a single plan with a monthly payment. Downsides of the DMP may include fees for participating in the program, the ineligibility of certain debts (such as student loans) and the requirement to close credit cards that are part of the plan.
Alternatives to Debt Management Plans
Alternatives to debt management plans include:
Debt Settlement
One alternative to a debt management plan is debt settlement. If you can’t qualify for a debt consolidation loan or a debt management plan won’t be sustainable, consider debt settlement. It requires you or a debt settlement company to negotiate with lenders, ideally reducing or eliminating what you owe. Most of the time, debt settlement lets you pay less than you owe to wipe out your debts. However, it can have tax and credit score implications.
Credit Counseling
Credit counseling requires you to talk to a certified credit counselor. A certified credit counselor asks you questions about your financial situation to figure out how to remedy it. They’ll perform a financial analysis and help you make a budget. In some cases, this is all you need to get back on track.
DIY Debt Management
There is the option of using the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) approach to getting out of debt. You can take several steps to help yourself, such as cutting up your credit cards, choosing a strategy (such as the debt snowball method) to pay off your debt, calling creditors to negotiate or even getting a second job.
Final Thoughts on Debt Management in 2024
Debt management companies can help you work toward a future without any debts in your name. However, they do have fees, and there are some scams and red flags you’ll need to watch out for. Alternatives are available, so it’s important to consider all the options before you select a plan for getting out of debt — what works for you may not be the same as what’s best for someone else. Regardless of what you choose to do, your debts won’t go away on their own, so take action. Start your research, and prepare to move forward with a new debt-elimination strategy.
