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Debt Settlement Fees

Date: Wed, 04/16/2008 - 15:11

Submitted by anonymous
on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 15:11

Posts: 202330 Credits: [Donate]

Total Replies: 4


Does anyone know what the average fee is for using a debt settlement service? So far I have 15 & 16% of my total debt. A couple of companies want their money upfront and the other two I talked with will spread the payments out over several months. I have no way of knowing if they are honest, do what they say or are scamming me. Any tips would be appreciated.


The two most prominent structure of payment used in the debt settlement industry are:

The contingency fee structure and the front-loaded fee structure.

Under contingency fee structure, the following fees are normally charged form the client.

Administrative charges

Negotiation fee( a percentage of the amount saved in the negotiation, normally 25% of the accounts settled)

Monthly service charges ( the amount charged by the firm to manage your account, it can be anything between $30 to $80 per month)

However, it seems that you are under the front-loaded fee structure, which has the following break-up of the fees.

A flat percentage of the debt (normally it ranges between 12% to 16% of the debt)

Monthly maintenance fee

And, miscellaneously charges.

Hope the inputs help.


lrhall41

Submitted by on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 04:30

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Hi mary, I too am struggling through the same problem. I have enrolled myself with a settlement firm and is paying the following charges.

Monthly service charges=$50

One time creditors enrollment fee=$100 each creditor upto the first five creditors and $50 for each creditor more than five.

Miscellaneous and/or NSF fees=$30

They also charge 20% of the money saved during the negotiation with the lenders.

[color=DarkRed][size=2]*company name deleted as per the forums rules-Jason[/color][/size]


lrhall41

Submitted by on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 04:43

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I had same struggle 2 months ago. I did not have enough money to pay monthly minimums on CC's so I was behind payments. Phones were already ringing off the hook and settlement companies I talked asked 15% to 11% up front before settling any account. I am sure they want their money first because my credit is in the tank. I have & had high balance on 11 acounts-25K to 7k. I think high balance accounts will be likely lawsuit candidates.
I had my 3 big account settled pre-charge-off (before 180 day past due) in last March (67K total)-Chase acount was on the way to litigation on only 4 month past due!! I am using James Lombardo. He charged me $500 retaing fee 2month ago then I pay him 20% of savings as he settles accounts. No monthly fees nor enrollment fees of any kind I paid him so far. He can be great help if you are looking for quick settlement before charge off( 6month past due).

[color=DarkRed][size=2]*company name and link deleted as per the forum rules-Jason[/color][/size]


lrhall41

Submitted by scottinred on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 08:49

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