
About United Debt Settlement
United Debt Settlement offers a variety of services that can help you manage your debts, including debt settlement, debt consolidation and credit counseling. Its employees have all gone through training from the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA), and the company’s fees are based on the debt enrolled.
Overall Satisfaction Rating
- 5 stars
- 4 stars
- 3 stars
- 2 stars
- 1 stars
Pros
- Multiple debt relief services
- Entire team is IAPDA-certified
- Publishes proof of past settlements
Cons
- Not available in all states
- Doesn’t work with secured debt
Bottom Line
If you’re struggling with unsecured debt and you live in an area where United Debt Settlement operates, it’s probably worth getting a free savings estimate to see how the company can help and what it will cost you.
What is United Debt Settlement?
United Debt Settlement, also known as United Settlement, is a debt relief company. It was founded by Marcel Bluvstein and Gabriel Gorelik in 2016, and it's based in New York City.
United Debt Settlement provides multiple programs that can help if you’re struggling with debt. These programs all function differently, so while they likely won’t all be right for you, there’s a decent chance one of them may be able to help.
United Debt Settlement services
United Debt Settlement offers three main services: credit counseling, debt consolidation and debt settlement.
The company works with both individuals and businesses. However, it’s worth noting that United Debt Settlement doesn’t help with bankruptcy, so you’ll want to contact a bankruptcy attorney if you need legal advice or help filing.
Also, the company has a $5,000 minimum debt requirement, and it only works with unsecured debt, which is debt that doesn’t have any collateral attached to it (like a house or car). Secured debts have assets that can be seized if you fail to repay them on time, while unsecured debts, like credit card debt and medical debt, don’t have any collateral associated with them.
How does United Debt Settlement work?
To get started with United Debt Settlement, submit your contact info on the company’s website for a free savings estimate. From there, a representative will reach out to you within 24 hours to tell you how much you can expect to save if you choose to work with the company.
Each of United Debt Settlement’s three main services works differently, so your experience will differ depending on which you choose:
- Credit counseling involves speaking with a financial professional and creating a debt management plan (DMP). These three- to five-year plans require you to make a monthly payment directly to United Settlement instead of your creditors, and the company then works with creditors on your behalf. United Settlement designs its debt management plans to lower your interest rates and monthly payments so you can pay off your debt easier.
- Debt consolidation combines multiple debts into one account through a new loan with a better interest rate and terms. You use this new loan to pay off your current debts, and because the new loan has more favorable terms, you can save money without hurting your credit.
- Debt settlement requires you to withhold payments from your creditors so that they will be more willing to accept less money than you actually owe. United Settlement negotiates with your creditors during this period while you save up money for your reduced payoff once they reach an agreement.
While all of these plans can impact your credit score, debt settlement is the only one that usually does long-term damage. Debt consolidation, on the other hand, can actually improve your credit if you make reliable payments toward your new debt.
How much does United Debt Settlement cost?
United Debt Settlement doesn’t disclose pricing information publicly, but it does state that it operates on a “pay-for-performance” model. Its fees are based on a percentage of the amount of debt enrolled.
The company doesn’t guarantee specific results for its services, but it does state that clients who follow its programs can save roughly 25% off of their enrolled debt after fees. Assuming you had $50,000 in enrolled debt, that means you could end up saving $12,500 overall.
However, these results aren’t universal, and every situation is different. To find out how much United Debt Settlement can likely save you, contact the company for a free savings estimate.
United Debt Settlement FAQ
Do I qualify for United Debt Settlement?
United Debt Settlement doesn’t publish its requirements, but individual clients need at least $5,000 in qualifying debt to sign up, according to a representative we spoke with. If your debt is less than that, you may need to explore other options.
Will United Debt Settlement hurt my credit?
Working with United Debt Settlement may potentially hurt your credit, but the extent of the damage will likely depend on which debt relief program you choose.
Credit counseling and debt consolidation usually have moderate, temporary impacts on your credit, and consolidation can even improve your credit long-term. Debt settlement generally has a significantly negative effect on your credit, though.
What types of debt does United Debt Settlement handle?
United Debt settlement focuses on unsecured debt, which is debt that doesn’t have any sort of collateral attached to it. Common unsecured debts include:
- Credit card debt
- Medical debt
- Student loan debt
- Personal loan debt
Will United Debt Settlement resolve all my debt?
It depends on what you mean by “resolve.” It’s important to understand that debt relief does not completely eliminate your debt — all of United Debt Settlement’s programs still require you to make some form of repayment.
However, United Debt Settlement can help you pay off your enrolled debt in a more manageable way. Also, not all debts are eligible for enrollment with United Debt Settlement, so you could be left with some debt even if your enrolled debt is paid off.
Is United Debt Settlement legit?
United Debt Settlement is a legitimate debt relief company offering a variety of solutions for dealing with debt. The company publishes successful debt settlement letters on its website as proof of past results, and you can get a free savings estimate before you sign up. Availability is somewhat limited because of geographic restrictions and the company’s $5,000 minimum debt requirement, but United Debt Settlement is worth checking out for those who qualify.
United Debt Settlement Reviews
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The rep asked me the credit cards I wanted to give up. I told him I wanted to keep at least three. I told him what I owed and he wrote it down. Every time I called, they answered and spoke with me professionally. But what I couldn't understand is that nobody could let me know how much they were getting from the money that I'm paying. Initially, the rep was fast-talking like how some people are when they're trying to get your money. So I said, You can't fast talk to me like that because I work too hard and retired. You need to slow down." Other than that, I stopped getting the credit calls while in the program. Also, I now have an excellent credit score of 738. They might have overcharged me at $477 every month for four years but for the mere fact that I don't get a phone call anymore, I don't care.
Hi Iris,
It sounds like United Debt Settlement was able to help you get out of debt and improve your credit score, which is great to hear. However, it's important for any company to be transparent about their fees and how much they are taking from the money that you are paying. It's good that you were able to communicate your concerns and that we were able to address them. It's also reassuring to know that you no longer receive harassing credit calls.
In the future, I would recommend being proactive in understanding the fees and charges associated with any debt settlement program before signing up. This can help you avoid any surprises and ensure that you are getting a fair deal. Overall, it's good to hear that United Debt Settlement was able to help you in your financial journey, and I wish you all the best moving forward.
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The guy who I was talking to at United Debt explained the options where I might be able to do a loan to consolidate the debt, but we decided that that wasn't a viable option. In the end, they bought out my debt so I could pay it off through them and I would stop paying high interest. The rep I worked with was very knowledgeable and explained things so that I understood them perfectly well. He went over the whole contract and how it would go down before I even agreed to anything. They were also incredibly flexible with respect to the payment plan and their customer service was far better than I had expected it to be. There was one time where I had to cancel a payment because I needed the extra money that week to pay for rent, and they made it work, and I was able to make up the payment the following month.
I completed the program about a year ago and I was actually able to complete it about a year and a half in advance. United Debt Settlement is a great company to work with and I was very surprised because I thought it was going to be something where they were going to put on some hidden fees and charge me extra, but there was none of that at all. Everything that they said it was going to cost is what it cost, and it was great knowing that my debt was being taken care of.
Hi Tyler,
Thank you for taking the time and writing this review. We are proud to have such team members as you are describing on our team! We hope to continue and deliver good news to many more clients just like yourself!
They weren't pushy or anything at all, which I really liked. Also, with United Debt, it was like a friends-to-friends kind of thing. It was like I knew someone in the business, but I didn't. I've been living on my own since I was 19, so I didn't really have a lot of financial stability, and they didn't judge me on it. I never felt like I was doing something wrong.
They told me my program would be to let them handle a lot of the legality type things, like the settlements that they could achieve. They told me, "You're so young, so we have a lot of time right now to be able to do this and make it beneficial for you." They really explained, not only the risk, but the reward through debt settlement. I really appreciate that because I felt like it was like a little fine print. They told me upfront that, "You're not going to be able to get a credit card for quite some time. And with this big lender, you might have some trouble with it." They were honest with me, and throughout the program, I didn't have to ask too many questions because they answered everything when they called and checked up on me. They called and checked up on me almost every month, which I really, really appreciated.
United Debt had a really easy online portal. They made it super easy for us to check it. Since I was having such good success with it, my husband also went into the program, and we both were able to look at our online reports and say, "Hey, I'm here and you're there. This is fantastic." It helped us really set our goals. I would miss payments, and they would update that online, and it would show me that because I missed this payment and I could only make that much, instead of ending the program in April, it would be in June. It was never a big deal because at least they kept it real.
Hi Lauren,
Thank you for your kind words. I am happy to consider all clients as friends. Getting in debt can be hard, we are here to help guide you with your current debt and hopefully provide guidance about future debt. We are happy you are using your portal and even happier you are no longer missing payments. Continue to set financial goals, we will be by your side as you achieve them!
First and foremost, my husband and I would like to recognize Ben **!! Ben assisted my husband and I in our new beginning to overcome our debt solutions!!! Ben went over and beyond all expectations and gave us all the tools to solve our debt and to begin to have a better future one day at a time!!! As many know, this process is not easy. Fortunately, we had the extreme pleasure of working with Ben **!! He made the process very manageable. He is extremely knowledgeable, thorough and most of ALL PATIENT!! We will definitely recommend United Debt Settlement and of course Ben to anyone that may be looking for a company that would assist in resolving financial matters!!
We would also like to mention two people in your customer service department. Nawel & Cheyenne are exceptional!!! They also were very thorough and went over and beyond to assist my husband and I in any questions and concerns that we had. They are the front lines of United Debt Settlement!!! They are extremely courteous, kind and helpful!! They were quick to answer any questions or details!! They followed through and got back to us in a quick and timely manner!!! Thank you for making this process a blessing that will rectify our future!!!
Hi John & Kristine,
Thank you for the kind words!! We are happy to help and are here for you with any financial advice and/or answers to questions you may have.
Thank you for resolving my concerns.
Most of my experience with United Debt was fine. After a point, it became a little disappointing. In the beginning, I was told what the program was going to cost me over the life of the program. I was able to pay it off early because of some unexpected funds that came through. I asked for a payoff amount. When I got the payoff amount, I was told that it may or may not cover. At that point, I was paying more than what was projected at the beginning of the program. In addition to that, I had several creditors that I pulled out of the program. I came back, and then had some representatives come back to me later on and say, "We need additional funds to finish these last creditors."
One was American Express. That was $5,000. I was able to pull them out because they made an offer to restore my card if I paid the full 5,000 on a payment plan. I had another creditor that was a few thousand dollars. They wouldn't take United Debt Settlement's payment method. I had to take them out and pay them directly. We've reached an agreement on it. That was another few thousand dollars.
None of it made sense to me that I could even owe additional money. Some of the settlements were better than they had expected. I was like, "If they're better than had been expected and I've taken out thousands of dollars from the program and paid directly, how could I pay off the balance early and still owe additional money?"
I sent a letter to one of the remaining creditors that they did not cover. It was a payday loan and the lender had an action brought against them. All of those debts were wiped out because the interest rates were illegal. There would have been money being collected for something that, in a letter that I had sent, I shouldn't have had to pay. It was particularly towards the end where the problems really came in because the one company that didn't accept United Debt Settlement's payment method, wasn't United Debt Settlement's problem, that was just a logistical problem. Took care of that. The American Express one was my choice. But all of that should have been to the benefit of my program. I didn't make any additional payments, so they discontinued my program.
United Debt Settlement explained how the program worked. We talked about how the different accounts I had would work with payments. And we got signed up. They emailed me back quickly if I emailed them. If not, I just give them a call, and they've always been very helpful. I pay my monthly amount and they help me take care of the bills. It's still stressful paying the monthly amount because it's way more than my mortgage. But it has been helpful that I know that stuff is getting taken care of. I would recommend working with them. It has been a positive experience.
Hi Sarah,
It's great to hear that United Debt Settlement was able to provide you with a clear understanding of their program and how it would help you manage your debt. It's also reassuring to know that they are responsive to your needs and concerns and have been able to help you stay on top of your bills. Managing debt can be a stressful experience, so it's important to have a reliable partner like United Debt Settlement to help you through it. Thank you for sharing your positive experience, and I wish you all the best in your journey towards financial stability.
I gave United Debt Settlement a call and I went through the whole process. They explained their process to me. I thought about it and went with them. I'm still in the program. They have always been there to answer any questions I have and always keep me in the loop for what is going on. With them working with the debt issues, it was a huge help to me and it impacts my life for the better.
Hi Chris,
It's great to hear that United Debt Settlement was able to help you with your debt issues and that they were responsive to your questions and concerns throughout the process. It's important to have a reliable and trustworthy debt settlement company to work with when dealing with financial difficulties. Keep up with your program and best of luck in your journey towards financial stability!
The person that I worked with at United Debt Settlement was very pleasant on the phone, and seemed passionate about what he did for a living, which surprised me. And we had a good rapport. He was always willing to take my calls. It was a smooth experience. The rate at which I paid off was fine. They negotiated on my behalf well. The difference between what I owe the people that I bought some chemicals from and what they settled for was substantially reduced. So, I was very impressed with that. I ended up paying off early. The whole process went well.
Hi Robert,
Thank you for sharing these kind words. Our team members truly care about our clients well being, especially when it comes to finances/debt. Very happy to hear your debt is settled and you are in that much better of a place. Thanks again for the review!
Getting enrolled was very easy and I was impressed with their kind attitude and knowledge about their product. Working with them has made life easier. We set up an amount that they take automatically out of my checking account. I’d tell others to give United Debt a call and sign up.
Hi Maryellen,
Thank you for the kind words! We try hard to be kind and attentive. Our mission is to help those with debt - and we are very serious about our mission! Thanks again for the review.
I was buried before and now, I'm almost out of the hole. But I've been a little disappointed by some of the settlements. United Debt Settlement promised out of the gate that they'd shoot for 50% or 60% but it feels like I've been in the program a little longer than intended and I'm still in it.
Hi Michael,
I am happy to hear you are almost out of debt. Some creditors are more difficulty to negotiate than others. Our team does our best to shoot for 50%, although sometimes we have to go up. Every case is unique. We are very excited to hear that your accounts are already settled and you are that much closer to being debt free!
United Debt Settlement Company Information
- Company Name:
- United Debt Settlement
- Address:
- 240 W37th St Suite 400
- City:
- New York
- State/Province:
- NY
- Postal Code:
- 10001
- Country:
- United States
- Website:
- unitedsettlement.com