FTC
Debt collection & debt relief
Your rights when a collector contacts you, and the rule that bars debt relief companies from charging fees before they settle a debt.
Federal Trade CommissionRead ↗
Free debt settlement education
We teach you exactly what debt settlement companies do — and charge you nothing for it.
Plain-English walkthroughs, letter templates, and your rights under federal law — so you can understand the process and decide your own next step.
Real steps.
No fees.
You’re in control.
Knowledge that puts you in the driver’s seat.
- 01 / PURPOSEMake the process clearer
- 02 / APPROACHOne practical step at a time
- 03 / VOICECalm. Direct. Encouraging.
- 04 / PROMISEFree educational guidance
01 / The same playbook
What a settlement company does — and how we show you.
Debt settlement isn’t a secret process. Here’s the work these companies typically do, next to what you’ll learn here for free.
| Step | A debt settlement company | Settle Debt Myself |
|---|---|---|
| Review your debts | Collects your balances and income to decide which accounts to enroll. | Our free Debt-to-Income Calculator helps you organize the same numbers yourself. |
| Build a settlement fund | Has you deposit money into a dedicated account over time. | We explain how people set aside funds — and the tradeoffs of stopping payments. |
| Talk to collectors | Handles calls and letters with creditors and collectors. | Our Collector Response Cheat Sheet shows what to say — and what not to say. |
| Negotiate & document | Proposes lump-sum offers and gets agreements in writing. | Letter walkthroughs on validation requests, offers, and getting terms in writing. |
| What it costs | A fee, often a percentage of the debt enrolled or the amount saved. | $0 for our educational content. |
Caution
Worth knowing before you settle
- Stopping payments can lower your credit scores and may lead to late fees, collection activity, or a lawsuit.
- Creditors aren’t required to accept a settlement offer.
- Forgiven debt may count as taxable income — the IRS explains when on Form 1099-C.
We cover each of these in the guides so you can weigh them before choosing a path.
02 / Where our information comes from
Built on public sources, not sales scripts.
Every guide is grounded in guidance published by federal agencies. We link to the source so you can read it yourself.
CFPB
Regulation F & sample letters
How the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is applied today, including validation notices and limits on collection calls.
Consumer Financial Protection BureauRead ↗
IRS
Canceled debt & taxes
When forgiven debt is reported on Form 1099-C, and exclusions such as insolvency explained in Publication 4681.
Internal Revenue ServiceRead ↗
FDCPA
The federal law itself
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1692 et seq. — the statute behind most of what you can ask a collector to do.
U.S. CodeRead ↗
We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Agency names identify the public sources we reference.
03 / What you’ll learn
Four series. One practical step at a time.
New walkthroughs publish on YouTube and land here, organized so you always know where to start.
Start here
The basics, clearly explained.
What settlement is, how it differs from bankruptcy and repayment plans, and the terms you’ll hear.
The Letter Desk
Templates and walkthroughs.
Validation requests, settlement offers, and written agreements — one section at a time.
Know your options
Questions worth asking.
Your rights under the FDCPA, what collectors can and can’t do, and when to talk to a professional.
One practical step
Small actions, explained.
Pull your credit reports, list your debts, calculate your DTI — short tasks you can finish today.
04 / How it works
Start where you are.
Understanding the process is progress. Here’s the path most people take with us.
Step 1
Get the free kit
Run your numbers with the Debt-to-Income Calculator and keep the Collector Response Cheat Sheet by the phone.
Step 2
Watch the walkthroughs
Follow the series in order, or jump to the topic you’re facing right now. Every guide is free.
Step 3
Choose your next step
Decide whether to negotiate yourself, look at a repayment plan, or speak with a licensed professional.
Free template
Debt-to-Income Calculator + Collector Response Cheat Sheet
Two free tools to help you see where you stand and stay calm when the phone rings.
-
Part 1 — Debt-to-Income CalculatorCalculate your DTI ratio, see how much of your income goes to debt, and get a preliminary read on whether settlement, bankruptcy, or a repayment plan is worth exploring.
-
Part 2 — Collector Response Cheat SheetA one-page PDF of what to say — and what not to say — when a debt collector calls. Based on public FDCPA guidance from the FTC and CFPB.
05 / Tools we reference
Helpful tools for your next step.
Some links below may be affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure.
A separate savings account
Keep settlement funds apart from everyday spending so the money is ready when you make an offer.
[Partner name]
Learn more ↗
Credit monitoring
Watch how accounts are reported during and after settlement, and spot errors worth disputing.
[Partner name]
Learn more ↗
A budgeting app
Track income and spending so your DTI and savings targets stay current month to month.
[Partner name]
Learn more ↗
Your free credit reports are always available at AnnualCreditReport.com, the site authorized by federal law.