CreditAssociates is a debt relief company that specializes in settling credit card debt. According to the company’s website, it has helped thousands of customers settle millions of dollars worth of debt. The company says the length of its debt settlement program depends on each client's financial situation, but that it can help most customers become debt-free in 24 to 36 months.

CreditAssociates offers only debt settlement, not other debt relief services such as debt consolidation or debt management plans. CreditAssociates customers set up a special savings account, where the customer makes monthly deposits. Eventually, once the account has enough money, the debt settlement company negotiates with each creditor to lower the client's debt amount.

Because CreditAssociates only offers debt settlement, it can only help with unsecured debts such as credit card debt and personal loans; the debt settlement company can’t help with secured debt like a mortgage, auto loan, or home equity loan.

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1-(949) 606-0075 Visit Site 1-(949) 606-0075

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The Good

Free Consultations
Online Account Access
Accreditations
Performance-Based Fees

Free Consultations

CreditAssociates offers free consultations to help potential clients decide whether its debt settlement services are right for them. This is essential among reputable debt settlement companies and in fact, you should never work with a debt relief company that does not offer a free consultation with no strings attached.

Online Account Access

CreditAssociates customers can access their accounts online, giving them 24/7 access to information and resources. This is a nice feature in a debt relief company, because you will want to be kept up to date on the progress of your debt settlement case and what creditors still need to be dealt with.

Accreditations

CreditAssociates boasts accreditations from the American Fair Credit Council and the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators, two important organizations in the debt relief industry.

It also has a majority of 5-star reviews. One recent CreditAssociates review states that the company is "wonderful...to do business with", has "great customer service," and helped the client get back on their feet and establish their credit once again.

Performance-Based Fees

CreditAssociates doesn't charge clients any upfront fees. The company only charges a performance-based fee after it has negotiated, and the client has accepted, a settlement offer with one of the customer's creditors.

The company states throughout its website that this is a fixed fee rather than a percentage of the client's enrolled debt, but does not disclose the actual dollar amount of the fee.

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The Bad

State Availability
Limited Pricing Information
Must Demonstrate Financial Hardship

State Availability

CreditAssociates does not provide nationwide services. In the debt settlement industry, it is not uncommon to find companies that will service all 50 states. CreditAssociates mentions on its website that the following states are not serviced: Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Maryland, Vermont, and Wyoming. However, it also mentions there are other states it does not service, and we don't know what these are.

Limited Pricing Information

According to the CreditAssociates website, the company doesn’t charge any upfront fees; it only charges a flat performance-based fee after the customer accepts and funds a settlement offer. However, CreditAssociates doesn’t detail how much that fee is.

CreditAssociates also does not disclose a minimum debt requirement. Some of its top competitors like National Debt Relief or Freedom Debt Relief have minimum debt requirements of $7,500. We do not know if CreditAssociates has this same requirement, a higher requirement, or no requirement at all.

Must Demonstrate Financial Hardship

CreditAssociates customers must demonstrate financial hardship in order to use the company’s services. The company doesn’t provide details about this process on its website, except to say that customers must substantiate and prove their financial hardship.

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The Bottom Line

CreditAssociates provides debt relief to customers struggling with unsecured debt. The debt settlement company helps clients through debt negotiation over an average period of 24 to 36 months, only charging customers a flat performance-based fee after their debt has been settled.

The company has several important accreditations, including from the American Fair Credit Council and the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators. Additionally, the company offers 24/7 access to its online system, where customers can access helpful resources.

Although it doesn't offer details about its pricing on its website, potential customers can learn more through CreditAssociates' free consultations. If you're looking for a debt settlement program and you live in one of the states where CreditAssociates is available, the company is worth looking into.

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User Reviews

Star Rating

4.4

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328 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

66%

4 grade

19%

3 grade

2 grade

1 grade

Sentiment Criteria

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Quality

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Service

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Verified Customer

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Mel S.

Not to easy to talk to, seem to be unable to deal with immediate questions and last work they did was because I called them repeatedly until they finally made agreement! Still have a few to go, will follow up at the end of this lengthy process! Will follow up when we are done.

4 years ago

Reply from CreditAssociates

Hi Mel - Thanks for reaching out. Keep in mind that the duration of the program is entirely up to you and what you are comfortable spending monthly. If you would like to expedite your program at any time, you are welcome and encouraged to do so. We want you to complete the program as fast as you are able so please, give us a call and we can discuss a more rapid process.

Feb. 4th, 2021

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Verified Customer

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Miyoushi Simpson

Not like thought it would be. I was told everything would be completed in 6 months. I have bill collectors still calling and threading me. I do see where three have been done , but I guess I have to wait and see the outcome.

4 years ago

Reply from CreditAssociates

Hi Miyoushi-thanks for taking the time to reach out.

The creditors do have the right to continue these efforts but that is not a bad thing. This means the accounts are aging properly and you are on track. if you have any other concerns, we are here for you.

Oct. 27th, 2020

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Verified Customer

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Bobbie JO Maahs

they have made no contact with me about where my credit cards are being paid i have no idea what bills are being paid. no communication would never refer this company to anyone very poor service

4 years ago

Reply from CreditAssociates

Hi Bobbie-thanks for the review. We want our clients to stay informed and engaged throughout the program so If you have additional questions you are welcome to reach out to us whenever you like. You also have access to your client portal where we provide real-time updates to your program.

Nov. 19th, 2020

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Verified Customer

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Lisa

They do not pay my bill off until they got the money in my account. I had to pay six thousand dollars to get it paid off but it didn’t have two thousand dollars so they didn’t pay it off.

4 years ago

Reply from CreditAssociates

Hi Lisa-thanks for reaching you. If you have any questions on how the program works, or how to fund your account, we are here to answer them. Please give us a call or login to your customer portal and we will gladly assist.

Nov. 19th, 2020

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Verified Customer

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Patricia Morse

Only two companies have worked with you. Wells Fargo and Old Navy. I have other creditors. Discover, Citibank, American Express. What can you do with these companies?

4 years ago

Reply from CreditAssociates

There are very few creditors that we do not work with. As long as they are not federal or student loans, they should qualify for the program but we would cover all of that in the qualification process. Old Navy, for example is actually Synchrony Bank which backs the majority of retail cards. Feel free to call for a no obligation consultation and we would be happy to review your accounts and provide more information.

Oct. 21st, 2020

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Verified Customer

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M Ferrara

ok but just cant believe how long it takes to resolve each acct and they constant phone calls everyday frm creditors for MONTH and MONTHS....S y

4 years ago

Reply from CreditAssociates

Thanks for your feedback.
The creditors do have the right to continue these efforts but that is not a bad thing. This means the accounts are aging properly and you are on track. While it can be bothersome in the beginning, these efforts typically subside before long. If you would like to discuss ways of handling these, feel free to give us a call.

Nov. 19th, 2020

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Verified Customer

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Charlotte Sawyer

it has been ok.....but, I am still getting nasty letters from bill collectors.....I thought you were reaching out to them all

4 years ago

Reply from CreditAssociates

The creditors do have the right to continue these efforts but that is not a bad thing. This means the accounts are aging properly and you are on track. While it can be bothersome in the beginning, these efforts typically subside before long. If you would like to discuss ways of handling these, feel free to give us a call.

Oct. 21st, 2020

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Verified Customer

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Bernard

They needs to provide for information to their clients and follow up with them. There is a lack of information.

4 years ago

Reply from CreditAssociates

Thank you for taking the time to review. We want our clients to stay informed and engaged throughout the program so If you have additional questions you are welcome to reach out to us whenever you like. You also have access to your client portal where we provide real-time updates to your program.

Oct. 21st, 2020

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Lisa Houston, TX

Not trustworthy. Make promises that don’t happen . Better to just dispute on Expedia yourself. I would have stayed if the information given was so invalid I had to go somewhere else . Waste of money

3 years ago

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Verified Customer

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Anonymous

No follow up or status. Credit score became worse after using them

4 years ago

Reply from CreditAssociates

Hi Thank you for the feedback

Feb. 4th, 2021

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Verified Customer

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James Scott

I'm trying to pay them off quicker, and they seem not to want to tell me how

4 years ago

Reply from CreditAssociates

Hi James - Thank you for the feedback . Our success depends on your success so if ever you need anything, we are here for you.

Feb. 4th, 2021

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Verified Customer

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Saleh

The services are very slow and the answers were conflicting.

4 years ago

Reply from CreditAssociates

Hi Saleh-thanks for the feedback. Keep in mind that the duration of the program is entirely up to you and what you are comfortable spending monthly. If you would like to change up your program, we are happy to assist. Please give us a call.

Nov. 19th, 2020

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Verified Customer

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Steve Ott

Just ok. They do not communicate at all. No calls, no progress notes, nothing

4 years ago

Reply from CreditAssociates

We want our clients to stay informed and engaged throughout the program so If you have additional questions you are welcome to reach out to us whenever you like. You also have access to your client portal where we provide real-time updates to your program. Our success depends on your success so if ever you need anything, we are here for you.

Oct. 21st, 2020