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It’s scary to think about, but we’re all probably just a few steps away from being in debt. All it takes is a couple of unexpected bills to make that happen. I know that for me, all it takes is one trip to the veterinarian for one of my pets to see my credit card bill skyrocket. It happens to all of us, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. So, instead of worrying about whether you can keep up with everything, it’s good to know that some programs can help you. Debt settlement programs are just one option, and CuraDebt can be a good company to use in various situations.
In this article
What is CuraDebt?
CuraDebt has over 20 years of experience offering debt relief services nationwide. It is a member in good standing of the American Fair Credit Council and an International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators-Certified Company. All the company's debt relief clients are managed in-house and can access licensed attorneys if CuraDebt feels it could help you save more money. In addition to offering debt relief services, CuraDebt offers tax relief services through a dedicated tax team that can help with installment agreements, correcting previous tax returns, and more.
You can get a free estimate from CuraDebt by calling the company or submitting a quick online form. The online form only contains seven steps, starting with entering your debt amount.
Next, you’ll need to enter the state that you reside in.
Then, all you need to do is enter your name and contact information. CuraDebt will be able to contact you using your phone number and email address to let you know about the services and products that are available to you. You are giving your consent to receive calls by submitting your contact information. That said, entering this information does not obligate you to work with CuraDebt or any other company.
After you’ve submitted this form, you’ll see a confirmation page pop up. This page may also suggest next steps, such as getting credit scores.
It might also recommend a credit repair program or other options to help you get out of debt.
How much does CuraDebt cost?
CuraDebt’s fees depend on several factors, including the amount of your debt and how much you can contribute to monthly payments to the debt relief program. There are other factors, including the success of any negotiations regarding your credit balances.
On average, CuraDebt’s fees equal 20% of the total debt amount you enroll in the program. The fees are calculated as part of your monthly repayment. CuraDebt does not charge any upfront fees to enroll in the debt relief program.
Debt relief can be a good option if you’re having trouble paying back what you owe on credit cards, lines of credit, medical debts, or other unsecured debts. You can pursue debt relief programs if you’re delinquent and get help if debt collectors are contacting you for repayment. CuraDebt offers compassion and understanding to all of its clients. The company understands how easy it can be to find yourself in debt and is dedicated to helping you find the best way to improve your financial life.
CuraDebt has a dedicated division to provide tax debt relief services, aptly named CuraDebt Tax. This service is a good option for people contacted by a state authority or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to collect money for back taxes. When this happens, it requires an entirely different process than you would go through if you owe money on unsecured debt such as a credit card or a loan. This is because the IRS and state authorities can file tax liens, garnish your income, or even seize your property to pay off your tax debt.
CuraDebt Tax provides help from tax professionals in full legal compliance with the IRS and state authorities. They can help with all sizes of tax debts. You can get a free, no-obligation tax debt consolidation to determine whether CuraDebt Tax is the right choice for you. If you work with the company, you’ll receive flat-fee pricing with no hidden fees and a written refund policy.
As part of its debt relief services, CuraDebt offers a debt settlement program. This program involves you putting money into a special purpose account monthly, which will be used to pay off your debts. CuraDebt works with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) violation process as your account balance grows. During this process, CuraDebt looks for any violations your creditors or collectors have made. If any violations exist, CuraDebt can pursue those to dismiss those debts.
Even if your creditors and collectors haven’t made any violations, CuraDebt will try to help you save as much money as possible. CuraDebt will work with the creditors and collectors on your behalf to agree to settle your debt for less. CuraDebt sends you any offers it has been able to get for your approval. At this point, that account is settled in full, and you’ll pay CuraDebt’s fees. CuraDebt continues this process for each of your debts until all of them are settled in full.
Before working with CuraDebt, you’ll receive a free, no-obligation consultation to determine whether its program is right for you. The debt counselor you speak with will explain the program’s fee structure, timeline, and risks to you and answer any questions.
If you decide to work with CuraDebt following the consultation, you’ll open a special purpose account, in which you will deposit your funds to help pay off your negotiated debts.
Who is CuraDebt best for?
People who are struggling to make minimum payments on debts
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and struggling to make the minimum payments on your debts, it might be time to consider a debt relief program. CuraDebt can provide a free consultation to help you learn more about the program and determine if it's the right choice.
People who don’t feel comfortable negotiating debts on their own
CuraDebt has experts who negotiate debts and help clients save as much money as possible. Some people may feel more comfortable letting the experts handle debt negotiations instead of trying to do it themselves.
People whose debts have been sent to collectors
CuraDebt can help settle debts even if they’ve already been sent to debt collectors by the original creditor.
Who shouldn’t use CuraDebt?
People who need help with budgeting and debt management
If your goal is to get better with money overall, you might want to consider credit counseling before considering debt management. Some nonprofit organizations provide credit counseling services to give people free or low-cost advice on creating a budget and managing debt. These services usually don’t offer debt negotiation but can help you get on better financial footing overall.
People with smaller amounts of debt
Although CuraDebt doesn’t advertise a minimum debt amount to enroll in its program, it is worth considering your debt before enrolling. If you have a small amount of debt or you’re only behind on one account, it may be better for you to try to negotiate with the creditor on your own. This can help you save money because you won’t have to pay the fees you would with a debt settlement program.
People who haven’t explored other options
While debt settlement can be a great option for many people, other options exist before deciding. For example, if you only have credit card debt, you might consider buying a balance transfer card with a 0% interest introductory offer.
CuraDebt offers a free, no-obligation consultation to all potential clients.
There are no hidden fees.
CuraDebt can help with tax relief as well as debt relief.
Cons
CuraDebt can only help with unsecured debts and cannot help with mortgage or auto loans.
Debt relief services are unavailable in some states, including Connecticut, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Utah.
Tax services are not available in Pennsylvania or Puerto Rico.
CuraDebt vs. competitors
Company
Upfront fees
Services
CuraDebt
None
Debt relief, tax relief
National Debt Relief
None
Debt relief
Freedom Debt Relief
None
Debt relief
National Debt Relief
National Debt Relief is one of the debt relief companies that can help you pay off your debts affordably and quickly. Its debt relief program can help you settle many types of debt, including personal and payday loans. Debt relief plans are customized based on each client’s financial situation. National Debt Relief’s debt relief plans also include a savings estimate to know how much you can expect to save to become debt-free.
The cost of using National Debt Relief is similar to CuraDebt — the average fee is between 15% and 25% of the total enrolled debts. This fee is added to the program’s monthly payment plan, and you only pay a fee after the company has settled a debt for you. You can also get a free consultation from National Debt Relief, and there is no obligation to work with the company after the consultation.
Another popular debt settlement company is Freedom Debt Relief. The company operates very similarly to other debt settlement companies. It offers a free consultation and can help with unsecured debts like credit cards. The company also doesn’t charge any upfront fees; you only pay if you approve a settlement that Freedom Debt Relief has negotiated for you.
One of the best things about Freedom Debt Relief is that it offers plenty of resources outside debt relief. The company can help with some private student loans and business debts, but not all. If it cannot help you settle your debts, you can still use the information on its website to learn about debt consolidation loans from financial institutions and other options to help you become debt-free.
How do I know if one of my creditors will agree to a settlement?
Several factors can impact the results of any debt settlement program. This includes who the creditors are that you owe, how long you’ve owed the money, and your credit history. When you get a free consolidation with CuraDebt, they can explain these factors further and help you understand the likelihood of being able to negotiate your debts successfully.
Can I pay more than my minimum monthly payment?
Yes, you can deposit a lump sum into your special purpose account in addition to making your monthly payments. If you can do this, you’ll be able to move through the program quicker because you’ll have more money to settle your debts.
How do I know if a debt settlement program is legitimate?
It’s not uncommon to wonder if debt settlement programs are a scam, and it’s good to take precautions and do your research before working with any company. One thing that you can do is look for customer reviews to see what others have experienced. CuraDebt, in particular, has maintained a 5-star rating on Top Consumer Reviews. You should also check the company’s accreditation with the American Fair Credit Council, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and/or other applicable organizations.
What’s the difference between credit counseling and debt relief programs?
Both credit counseling and debt relief programs can help someone improve their financial situation, but there are some major differences between them. Credit counseling is usually offered through a non-profit company and performs an in-depth analysis of your financial situation. This includes your debts, income, savings goals, and more. A credit counselor can help you create a plan to get on a budget and achieve your financial goals. They may work with your creditors to negotiate a settlement or repayment plan, however, this is not always the case. A debt relief program doesn’t help you with your larger financial picture but focuses on helping you become debt-free. With a debt relief program, you’ll enter money into a special purpose account that will be used to pay off the debts that you enrolled in the program. The debt relief specialists will monitor your account and negotiate with your creditors to see if they’ll accept a smaller repayment to consider your account paid in full. Then, you can accept or deny the settlement that they’ve negotiated on your behalf.
Does CuraDebt have a mobile app?
No, CuraDebt does not have a mobile app. You can log into the Client Area of the CuraDebt website to manage your account.
Does CuraDebt offer in-person consultations?
Yes, CuraDebt offers in-person consultations, but the options are limited. The company has an office in Hollywood, Florida, where they can conduct in-person consultations. However, in-person consolidations are not available anywhere else.
What do you have to do after enrolling in the CuraDebt debt relief program?
After enrolling in the program, all you’ll need to do is make your monthly payments into your special purpose account. You should also be sure to keep an eye on your phone and email to ensure that you’re maintaining good communication with CuraDebt as they work to settle your debts.
CuraDebt is a debt relief company that can help individuals and small businesses get out of debt quickly. In addition to debt relief, the company offers tax experts to help clients get tax relief. This is not as common with debt relief companies, so it helps CuraDebt stand out among its competitors.
With CuraDebt, you can expect a free consultation, which you can request by filling out a quick online form. During your consultation, you’ll be able to learn more about the program and discuss which debts you’d like to enroll in the program. Then CuraDebt will provide you with the options it thinks best for you. There is no obligation to work with CuraDebt after a consultation, so if you decide the program isn’t for you, that’s okay.
CuraDebt is transparent with the costs of using its program and how much you can expect to save. It’s important to consider this before enrolling in the program because you do have to pay a fee for each debt that CuraDebt can settle for you. That being said, it can be worthwhile to use CuraDebt if it can help you save more money in the long run. While you can attempt to negotiate with creditors on your own, letting CuraDebt handle it for you can be less stressful and may help you save more than you would have been able to do on your own.
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