CuraDebt Debt Relief Review

Like many other companies that advertise debt relief services, CuraDebt uses debt settlement to help you get out of debt for less than your current balances. In this process, you stop making payments on unsecured debts you owe and instead begin saving a set amount of money in a dedicated savings account each month. Once enough savings have accumulated, CuraDebt will negotiate with your creditors to help you settle debts for less than you owe in balances, interest, and fees.

In addition to helping you settle debts for less, CuraDebt also leverages laws like the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Telecommunications Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Specifically, it aims to find creditor violations that can lead to cash settlements on your behalf, get some debts dismissed, or both. If you sign up for a plan, you'll only pay fees as each of your debts is settled, and you could become debt-free in about 24 to 48 months.

Pros Explained

• You won't pay any upfront fees to enroll: CuraDebt doesn't charge any upfront fees. You only pay after it successfully negotiates for you, and you'll pay an average of 20% of each settled debt.
• Free consultation can help you see if debt settlement is right for you: You get the chance to speak with a debt counselor without any obligation, which can help you decide if debt settlement might work for your goals.
• Get help negotiating tax debts and a broad range of unsecured debts: Some debt relief companies don't help with tax debts, but CuraDebt has tax advisors who can help you deal with federal and state tax debts.?
• Positive user reviews: CuraDebt has generally positive reviews on Trustpilot, with a 3.3 rating. (However, its Trustpilot score was the lowest of the companies in our analysis with the exception of DMB Financial’s score, which was not available.)
• Helps find creditor violations that can lead to cash settlements, dismissed debt amounts, or both: CuraDebt has in-house experts who know how to use laws like the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Telecommunications Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) to your advantage.

Cons Explained

• No mobile app: Some debt relief companies offer a mobile app for you to use to track your progress. CuraDebt does not provide this option as of now.
• No money-back or satisfaction guarantee: While some debt relief services offer some type of money-back guarantee, CuraDebt does not.?
• Debt relief services are not available in all 50 states: CuraDebt does not serve residents of 13 states: Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia.

Types of Debt Addressed

While CuraDebt focuses on helping clients negotiate and settle most types of unsecured debt, it advertises services that help with a broader range of debts than some competing firms. If you have any of the following types of debt, CuraDebt may be able to help.

Credit Card Debt

If you owe money on credit cards and you cannot pay it off, CuraDebt may be able to help. Keep in mind that this type of assistance could apply to traditional credit cards from issuers like Visa and Mastercard as well as store credit cards or private label credit cards. 

Medical Debt

Medical debts become a problem, especially when you don't have health insurance. CuraDebt can bundle your medical debts with other unsecured debts, then help you pay them off for less than the amount you owe.

Personal Loans and Payday Loans

Personal and payday loans, as well as unsecured lines of credit you may have with a bank or another financial institution, also qualify for CuraDebt’s debt settlement.

Tax Debts

CuraDebt has dedicated tax counselors who can help you repay past due tax debts. Federal tax experts are available if you owe money to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 

Private Student Loans

While federal student loans do not qualify for debt settlement, CuraDebt can help you negotiate the private student loan debt you owe.?

Client Onboarding

CuraDebt doesn't name a specific minimum amount of debt you need to qualify for its program. However, it offers a free consultation to help you learn more about the debt settlement process and see if you can qualify. While you have the option to speak with a debt counselor over the phone, CuraDebt also accepts in-person appointments at its office in Hollywood, Florida.

During the free consultation, you can ask questions and determine if debt settlement is for you. If you choose to get started with the program, you'll receive a tailored debt settlement plan and instructions on how to begin saving money for future debt settlement. Based on the specifics of your situation, you may be able to settle and pay off all your unsecured debts within 24 to 48 months.

Customer Service

While CuraDebt doesn't offer a mobile app, it does offer phone customer service as well as email-based customer service. You can also schedule an in-person visit at its office in Hollywood, Florida.

If you want to speak with a debt counselor, you can call customer service at 877-850-3328 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET. CuraDebt doesn't offer phone assistance or in-office visits on Sundays.?

Company Reputation

While the debt relief industry does offer legitimate services such as those from CuraDebt, predatory businesses can offer questionable services. Follow Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warnings and guidelines regarding how to avoid debt relief and credit scams. 

Start by researching companies you may want to use for debt settlement. Check for open cases with the FTC and search the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) database for complaints.

CuraDebt was not subject to any current investigations with the FTC as of August 2023, and it didn’t have any registered complaints with the CFPB. Further, CuraDebt has generally positive reviews from customers on platforms such as Trustpilot.?

Also, note that CuraDebt is a member in good standing with the American Association for Debt Resolution (AADR), formerly the American Fair Credit Council (AFCC). The company is also certified by the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA).

Average Relief Amount

CuraDebt estimates that the average settlement saves customers 40% to 60% of the balance at time of settlement. Client results from 2023 and previous years shared on the company website show customers save between about 50% to 100%.?

Average Time for Relief

CuraDebt states that the length of your debt settlement plan can depend on factors such as how much debt you have and how much you can save each month. However, the company advertises an average program length of 24 to 48 months.

Cost

CuraDebt doesn't charge any upfront fees, and you only pay when you get results. The company is also upfront about its pricing structure. It advertises an average fee amount of 20% of each of your settled debts, which is on par with the industry average of 15% to 25%.

Final Verdict

CuraDebt is a reputable debt relief company to consider, and we feel confident recommending it for your debt relief needs. The company does not charge upfront fees, and it is transparent about its services and fees on its website. It also has fairly positive user reviews, and may help you settle your debts for 50% of what you owe, or perhaps even less. However, if you’re looking for mobile tools and real-time progress tracking, those technological features are not available. Nor are its services available in every state.

Methodology

Investopedia compared eight of the best debt relief companies to rank them in terms of reputation and stability (10%), customer satisfaction and experience (10%), services (30%), and cost and fees (50%).

We considered whether companies had a membership with the American Association for Debt Resolution (AADR) (formerly the American Fair Credit Council (AFCC)), as well as how long they have been in business. We reviewed the types of services offered, like counseling, debt settlement, tax relief, and more. We also compared companies' money-back guarantees, upfront fees, fee percentage closed, and cancellation policies. For more about how we rate, review, and select the best debt relief companies, read our full methodology.

Is CuraDebt Legitimate??

CuraDebt is a legitimate debt relief services company that has been in business since 2000. It has strong customer reviews and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

How Does CuraDebt Work??

Working with CuraDebt starts with a free consultation so you can ask questions and see if you qualify. If you move forward, you’ll be advised to stop making payments on unsecured debts, and start saving money instead that can be used to pay creditors after CuraDebt negotiations on your behalf. CuraDebt will then work with your creditors to lower your total amounts owed.?

Does CuraDebt Operate in all 50 States??

CuraDebt does not offer its debt relief services in all states. It does not work with residents of Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia.

What Types of Debts Does CuraDebt Not Assist With??

Like all debt relief services, CuraDebt can only help with unsecured debt. Therefore, CuraDebt cannot assist with secured debts like home and auto loans. CuraDebt also cannot help you with federal student loan balances.