My honest evaluation of CuraDebt’s settlement and relief options, pricing transparency, and whether it can truly help people overwhelmed by unsecured debt.
By: Choncé Maddox
Editor: Jon McDonald
Reviewer: Ashley Fricker
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I remember the first time I took out a small loan to buy furnishings for my college apartment. The monthly payments were bearable at first, but the cost soon became overwhelming for my very limited income. I saw how that loan debt was keeping me financially stuck, so I made a plan to eliminate it as quickly as possible.
But some people are buried under such a big mountain of debt that a plan and a budget won’t cover it. That’s why I decided to put debt relief company CuraDebt to the test to see if it can help people move those mountains.
I’ll cover the company’s services, sign-up process, user experience, transparency, and its track record with past clients.
The website is clear and easy to read, and I wasn’t overwhelmed trying to find answers. The sign-up button and informational articles about debt settlement are front and center, and I could tell right away what services they offer and how the estimate works.
Another thing I noticed is how the website was full of customer reviews and industry credentials.
When I clicked on the Services drop-down menu, it gave me a detailed view of the types of debt relief services CuraDebt offers. That was refreshing to see because I feel like some debt relief companies are not clear on what they do, who they serve, and why someone should work with them.
CuraDebt’s core services are debt settlement and debt negotiation. If I’m struggling with business or personal debt, the trained team at CuraDebt can talk to my creditors and lock in a reduced payment schedule that’s realistic.
This could save money and resolve debt much faster, not to mention the possibility of avoiding default or bankruptcy.
CuraDebt’s website features plenty of success stories from past clients who have settled their debts. One story highlights how the company was able to settle a credit card balance for a client who owed $5,311.79. The client ended up only paying $1,860.00 to clear the debt, which was a 65% savings.
However, I found it hard to locate any information about fees and what someone might pay for that type of settlement. But CuraDebt does state that it guarantees to offer the lowest rates and beat any competitor’s written quote (from a similar and reputable company).
While it’s great to hear about savings and the free initial consult, it looks like CuraDebt doesn’t offer much specific information upfront until you fill out the estimate form.
On CuraDebt’s FAQ page, the company states that its charges are performance-based only and fully disclosed upfront. This means CuraDebt will disclose what you’ll pay if it is successful, but it doesn’t specify if there are any additional fees. I’d like to know about those as early as possible.
Many of CuraDebt’s clients have had positive things to say about their experiences. The company will ask lots of specific questions about your debt situation when you sign up, and it also has specialists on staff who are familiar with negotiating with certain creditors.
I believe this is how CuraDebt is able to take such a personalized approach.
A debt counselor will explore different relief options and explain them fully so clients can decide if a different option — such as debt negotiation or consolidation — would be a better fit.
Here’s what one client had to say about working with a CuraDebt counselor:
“Deborah Gilbert (CuraDebt Counselor) not only has been a great consultant, she has gone above and beyond … she has eased my anxiety and has put the best team together to help me in every way possible … she follows up to make sure I am happy with the service I am getting from the team. This has been a traumatic experience, but Deborah and the team has helped me get in the right direction.”
One thing I like about CuraDebt is how many support articles are available on its site. When you go to the ‘Debt Relief Programs’ drop-down menu, you can learn more about several types of debt relief options, including debt consolidation (for secured and unsecured debt) and debt negotiation.
If you’ve ever mixed up these terms or used them interchangeably, you’re not alone. That’s why CuraDebt gives in-depth explanations about how each option works and dives into the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision.
Also, if you choose to move forward with a free consultation, you’re not obligated to sign an agreement to work with CuraDebt or receive any of its services, so there’s no pressure.
Let’s narrow down the core services that CuraDebt offers and what you’ll get with each of these options.
CuraDebt is best known for its debt settlement services, which involve an expert working with creditors to get them to accept a lower amount than the current outstanding balance. Usually, this may be paid as a lump sum or several payments over a set timeframe.
Debt settlement is actually very common, and sometimes you can do this service on your own by speaking directly wth your creditors. Sometimes, you need to call them. Other times, you might only have to answer a call.
Once, I forgot to pay a medical bill that was around $1,000, and later, I received a call about it. The person on the phone told me I could just pay $700 that day to clear the debt instead of the full amount.
Depending on who you owe and how much you owe, settling a debt may be more complicated than that, which is where CuraDebt can come in handy.
CuraDebt helps with many types of debt, including credit cards, personal loans, business debt, and tax debt, so it is worth considering for those who have more complex situations or are struggling with payments and want to get out of debt faster.
Tax debt usually involves deadlines, interest, and plenty of legal implications. CuraDebt has an experienced team that can help business owners, freelancers, or even spouses who got caught up in an unfortunate situation.
It starts by investigating the situation and reviewing tax returns. Then, the team can help create and send “Offer in Compromise” letters and negotiate directly with the IRS to secure a smaller payment amount.
I think one of the best things about CuraDebt’s tax relief service is that it can negotiate with the IRS to pause penalties during the investigation before putting a payment plan in place.
In 2023, one client reported that CuraDebt helped resolve a $15,000 tax debt, leading to them owing $0 to the IRS.
For business owners struggling with debt, CuraDebt can offer debt relief solutions, including business debt restructuring, debt settlement, and renegotiation of terms on merchant cash advances. Another service it offers is help removing a business from the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filing list.
I know many of us tend to feel overwhelmed or even hopeless when dealing with a huge debt balance. Business owners often feel added pressure because they’re also responsible for the livelihood of their employees.
But CuraDebt doesn’t want clients to think it’s too late to change the terms or payment schedule for their account. It specializes in this type of negotiation.
The free debt consultation is valuable for anyone interested in working with CuraDebt — or just getting an idea of what is possible. I accessed the form right on the homepage and entered basic information like my full name, email address, phone number, debt amount, and my state.
From there, I can schedule a call with an experienced consultant who will help determine how much I can save with debt settlement services and give me a realistic estimate of how long it will take to resolve my debt.
And since it’s free, I don’t have to worry about paying for something that doesn’t work or that I don’t need.
One thing I noticed about CuraDebt is that it doesn’t offer debt consolidation as a main service. It can connect me with some companies that offer consolidation loans, but CuraDebt is upfront that it doesn’t offer the service, but will discuss it as an option.
I appreciated that honesty, because it feels like the company is really trying to help, not just sell me something that won’t improve my situation. That balance of letting me explore consolidation while still guiding me through settlement makes CuraDebt stand out. It gives me peace of mind knowing I won’t be locked into one path.
When I tested out CuraDebt‘s enrollment process, I found two ways to get started: the easy way and the easier way. First, I’ll cover the easy way, which starts by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button at the top right of the page.
Here are all of the steps I went through:
I entered an estimate of how much debt I was carrying. I know typing in that number can always feel like a bit of a gut punch, especially if someone had to go through all of their debt line by line.
But the form reassured me that it was just a general estimate. I liked that I didn’t need to dig up exact balances right then and there.
After that, it asked for my state of residence. That makes a lot of sense because debt relief rules can vary depending on where you live.
I appreciated that detail because it made me feel like CuraDebt was tailoring the process to me rather than just giving a generic response.
Finally, I had to enter my basic contact information, including name, phone number, and email address. I’ll be honest, I usually hate giving all my contact details upfront. But I know CuraDebt needs this information to contact me for a personalized consultation.
While I didn’t actually hit ‘Submit’ because I’m not planning to use the service, the screen confirmed that someone would call me soon to review my situation in detail. The overall experience felt straightforward, with no endless pages to click through and no confusing financial jargon.
I liked that the questions eased me into it, rather than making me feel judged or overwhelmed.
What’s easier than a three-step enrollment process? A one-step enrollment process. That’s just what I found on CuraDebt‘s homepage.
There, I simply entered my name, email address, and phone number. Then, I selected my debt amount and state from drop-down menus.
Once I clicked ‘Get a Free Savings Estimate,’ I was taken to a page with more information on the consultation process, with a message that read: “A senior counselor will be calling you in the next 2-3 minutes from CuraDebt Client Care.”
That estimate was a little off, as I received a call five minutes later, but that was still pretty fast. It also provided a number to call, which you may want to consider if you want to get started quickly.
Overall, it felt good that CuraDebt wasn’t asking for sensitive personal information right out of the gate, but instead just broad categories so it could better understand my situation before contacting me.
Compared to other debt relief sites I’ve experienced, the enrollment process with CuraDebt felt quick, approachable, and easy.
I touched on it a little earlier in the review, but CuraDebt’s website says the company has no upfront fees and that clients instead pay performance-based fees based on a percentage of the debt they are trying to settle.
This makes perfect sense to me because I like to see the value of what I’m paying for. It also takes away the risk of thinking I’d have to pay money and not get the right results, which in this case would be saving a significant amount of money with the settlement offer, plus the fee.
CuraDebt’s website has tons of examples of how it has helped clients settle their debt and how long the process took. It touts having helped clients save 50% or more on their credit card balances and other debts.
In 2024, CuraDebt helped one client restructure their $21,000 tax debt and settle on affordable monthly payments that the client could make without facing further financial reviews by the IRS What it doesn’t specify is how much those clients paid CuraDebt.
You must have unsecured debt to qualify for CuraDebt’s services. This primarily means personal loans and credit card debt, but some unsecured business debt is included along with tax debt.
That also means mortgage debt or car loans don’t qualify.
The amount of debt can vary, but CuraDebt tends to work with borrowers who have at least $5,000 of debt. If you’re carrying less than that, the company may just recommend considering a debt consolidation loan or a balance transfer credit card (if it’s credit card debt).
Also, where you live is important, since CuraDebt does not offer all of its debt relief services in all 50 states.
If you’re overwhelmed with your unsecured debt and it’s negatively affecting how you live, but you can still afford to pay a lower monthly installment to clear your debts, CuraDebt could be a solid option for you.
Getting rid of debt, whether by paying it down on your own or working with a debt settlement company, can really feel like a huge relief. And because CuraDebt offers a free savings estimate, you can learn about your options without adding to your debt.
If you’re a small business owner with tax or credit debt, this company could also be helpful. Especially if you’re considering filing for bankruptcy but would rather avoid that step if possible.
Here are some other important questions that you might have if you’re considering CuraDebt‘s services.
CuraDebt’s team works to reach an agreement with your creditors as quickly as possible. However, based on many of their client success stories, it appears that programs can take anywhere from one to three years to complete, on average.
The time it takes to settle your debt can vary widely depending on factors like the type of debt you have, who you owe, and the amount.
Using a debt settlement company could hurt your credit if you stop making on-time payments to your creditors without a prior agreement. This is a common mistake some borrowers make when they start working with a debt relief company.
Credit card companies may also close your accounts when you negotiate to settle for a lesser amount than you owe, which can also negatively affect your credit utilization ratio and credit score.
CuraDebt’s goal is to negotiate and help you settle your debts as quickly as possible. As you pay down the balances, your credit score should recover, and CuraDebt can even negotiate with creditors to remove charge-offs from your credit report, which could improve your score even more.
I’d say the temporary credit score damage is worth it to be debt-free in the end.
Secured debts like mortgages and auto loans, as well as federal student loans, are not handled by CuraDebt. Certain types of legal judgments are also not handled by this company or by most debt settlement companies.
Debt is a significant burden, and sometimes seeking relief is the best option. CuraDebt has been around since 2001 and can step in to negotiate terms with creditors and settle debt, often for less than the original amount. But it isn’t a miracle cure, and the process has costs and credit consequences.
I’ll lay them all out here so you can be prepared and make the right decision for your debt.
If you feel like CuraDebt may not be the right fit for you, there are some other alternative options for debt settlement services:
Freedom Debt Relief is one of the largest debt settlement companies in the U.S. It offers a free debt evaluation and follows up with several debt settlement offers you can review.
Once you agree on an offer, you’ll get one monthly payment that allows you to pay off your debt faster. Unlike CuraDebt, Freedom Debt Relief doesn’t mention much about business or tax debt services, so just keep that in mind.
National Debt Relief is another debt settlement company that offers services similar to CuraDebt, including business debt settlement.
Its fees are up to 25% of the settled debt, but you only pay after they reach an agreement with your creditors that reduces your debt balance. You may find lower fees with CuraDebt, so it might be a good idea to shop around first.
CuraDebt is a good option for certain people, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all service. I’d recommend it to anyone who is overwhelmed by their unsecured debt and doesn’t have many options for relief.
Maybe your credit score isn’t the best, and you can’t qualify for a low-interest personal loan or a credit card balance transfer. Or, if you’re struggling to make payments each month, debt settlement through CuraDebt could be a lifeline.
The company is pretty straightforward and doesn’t charge any fees upfront, so you can focus on the plan and how much you’ll save. I’d also recommend this to anyone who wants to outsource negotiating with creditors or doesn’t even know where to start doing it themselves.
It’s worth working with CuraDebt if you can save time and effort by avoiding the back-and-forth with creditors and learning the ins and outs of negotiation, especially if you don’t know what to expect. And hopefully, after a year or two, you’re well on your way to leaving that debt behind for good.
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