At a Glance
Rating Breakdown
About ClearOne Advantage
ClearOne Advantage is one of the few settlement companies that offers a money-back guarantee if they don't settle at least one debt within the first 6 months. Read the fine print -- the guarantee requires that you've made all your scheduled deposits on time. Miss even one deposit (which can happen during financial hardship, the very reason people enroll), and the guarantee is void. Still, the fact that they offer any guarantee at all is notable in an industry where most companies ask you to trust the process for 6-12 months before seeing results. Founded in 2007 in Baltimore, Maryland, ClearOne has nearly two decades of creditor negotiation history. Their negotiation team has settled debts with every major credit card issuer, and they maintain particularly strong relationships with the banks that dominate the mid-Atlantic region -- Capital One, Discover, and Barclays -- though they handle national creditors equally well. ClearOne's Trustpilot reviews show a pattern worth noting: their highest-rated interactions are with the enrollment team and the settlement notification team, while the lowest-rated interactions happen during the "silent middle" period. They have recently added proactive monthly check-in calls to address this gap, which is a meaningful operational improvement if they execute it consistently.
Key Features
Conditional Money-Back Guarantee
No settlement in 6 months and you made every single deposit on time? You get your money back. Miss one deposit and the guarantee disappears. Simple as that.
Nearly Two Decades of Creditor History
They have been doing this since 2007. Almost two decades of calling the same banks, knowing the same supervisors, and tracking what settles at what price.
Monthly Proactive Check-Ins
They now call you every month during the waiting period. This is new — clients used to complain about radio silence between enrollment and first settlement.
FDIC-Insured Escrow Accounts
Your money sits in an FDIC-insured account at a third-party bank with your name on it. ClearOne cannot move a dollar without your approval.
How It Works
Consultation & Guarantee Review
A specialist walks through your debts and spells out exactly what the guarantee covers — and what voids it. Pay attention here.
Program Enrollment
You pick which debts to enroll and open your FDIC-insured escrow account. The clock on the 6-month guarantee starts now.
Consistent Monthly Deposits
Hit every deposit on time. No exceptions. One missed payment kills the guarantee, even if you had a legitimate emergency.
Active Negotiation
Once your escrow hits the right threshold, ClearOne starts calling creditors. They go after the most likely wins first.
Settlement Review & Approval
Every settlement offer comes to you first. Nothing gets paid until you say yes.
What They Do
- Debt Settlement
- Debt Negotiation
- Financial Counseling
- Credit Card Debt Relief
- Medical Debt Settlement
Debt Types They Take On
- Credit Cards
- Medical Bills
- Personal Loans
- Store Cards
- Collections
Fee & Cost Structure
Regulatory & Trust
Review Summary
Notable Case Studies
Guarantee Activated: First Settlement in 5 Months
Someone with $28,000 across 3 cards. Made every deposit on schedule. ClearOne closed the first one — a $9,200 Discover account — at month 5, before the guarantee deadline.
Medical and Credit Card Mixed Portfolio
Someone with $41,000 — $15K in hospital bills and $26K in credit cards. The medical debts settled faster because hospital billing departments are more flexible than banks.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Money-back guarantee on first settlement provides measurable accountability absent from most competitors
- Nearly two decades of creditor relationship data improves negotiation positioning
- client satisfaction with consistently strong Trustpilot scores
- Recently added proactive monthly check-in calls to address the mid-program communication gap
- Third-party FDIC-insured escrow accounts mean ClearOne never holds your funds directly
Cons
- Money-back guarantee requires perfect deposit compliance -- miss one payment and it is void
- Minimum $10,000 debt threshold excludes consumers with smaller but still burdensome balances
- Not available in all states -- roughly 10 states are excluded
- The "silent middle" period between enrollment and first settlement still frustrates some clients despite improvements
User Reviews (9)
money-back guarantee is real - read the terms carefully
ClearOne guarantees your money back if nothing settles in 6 months AS LONG AS you made every single deposit on time. I set up autopay specifically to protect the guarantee. First settlement came at month 5 - a $9,200 Discover account for $3,860. 58% savings. The guarantee gave me confidence to start and the results justified the commitment. $28k enrolled.
4.6 Trustpilot is strong - reviews are consistent
Read about 200 ClearOne reviews on Trustpilot. Pattern: enrollment experience is excellent, waiting period improved with monthly calls, settlement notifications are clear. Complaints cluster around the guarantee terms (people who missed a deposit). Consistent quality across reviews suggests systemic good service not just cherry-picked testimonials. $33k enrolled.
founding member of AFCC - they wrote the industry rules
ClearOne didn't just join the American Fair Credit Council, they helped CREATE it. That means they helped write the standards around no upfront fees, independent escrow, risk disclosure. When a company builds the rules, they follow them. $48k enrolled with full AFCC compliance at every step. No surprises, no hidden fees, no fine print gotchas.
missed ONE deposit and guarantee was void - harsh
My car broke down at month 3. Used my DMP deposit for the repair. Missed one deposit. Guarantee: voided. Didn't matter that I made 5 deposits perfectly before and after. One miss and it's gone. ClearOne was transparent about the terms but when you're in financial hardship (the reason you enrolled), one emergency expense can kill the guarantee. $27k enrolled. Results were fine (45% avg) but the guarantee was meaningless for me.
proactive monthly check-in calls eliminated my anxiety
ClearOne recently added monthly check-in calls during the waiting period. My account manager called me every month - even when there was nothing new to report. "Hi, wanted to let you know your escrow is building on schedule and we have your Discover account flagged for negotiation next month." Proactive. Reassuring. Rare. $35k enrolled.
not available in about 10 states
ClearOne serves 40+ states which means roughly 10 states are excluded. A friend in Montana couldn't enroll. The geographic limitations aren't prominently displayed on the website. You go through a 30-minute consultation before finding out you don't qualify based on geography. Put the state list on the homepage. $24k enrolled from Maryland.
$52k settled in 26 months - ahead of schedule
Quoted 30-36 months. Done in 26. Six accounts averaging 43% settlement rate. Fees at 19%. My advisor pushed negotiations aggressively and wasn't afraid to reject first offers. ClearOne doesn't have NDR's brand recognition but the results are right there with them. $52k enrolled, total paid $39,780 including fees, saved $12,220 net.
their tech platform needs an update
ClearOne's portal looks like it was designed in 2015. No mobile app. Basic balance tracking. Compare to Beyond Finance's real-time app with push notifications and ClearOne feels a generation behind. For a company with 3,200+ reviews and nearly two decades of history, the tech investment hasn't kept pace with the service quality. $31k enrolled.
dedicated financial advisor not just a sales rep
My ClearOne advisor had a background in financial planning. She understood how my settlement would affect 2024 taxes (1099-C income), my credit recovery timeline, and my goal of buying a home in 3 years. The advice extended beyond "we settled your debt" into actual financial planning. $29k enrolled. Still working with her on credit rebuilding.
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Related Companies
Important Debt Settlement Disclaimers
- Debt settlement involves negotiating with creditors to accept less than the full balance owed. This can result in tax liability on forgiven amounts exceeding $600. You may receive a Form 1099-C from creditors for canceled debt.
- Debt settlement may negatively affect your credit score and can remain on your credit report for up to 7 years. During the program, you will typically stop making payments to creditors, which causes late payment marks and potential collection activity.
- Not all creditors will agree to settle. Some may pursue legal action, wage garnishment, or bank levies during the settlement process. A debt settlement company cannot guarantee protection from lawsuits.
- Results vary based on individual circumstances including the types of creditors, account age, and your ability to fund the escrow account on schedule. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
- Debt settlement fees are typically 15%-25% of the enrolled debt amount. The FTC prohibits debt settlement companies from charging upfront fees before settling at least one debt. Confirm that your chosen company complies with this rule.
- Alternatives to debt settlement include debt consolidation loans, nonprofit credit counseling and debt management plans, balance transfer credit cards, and bankruptcy. Consult with a licensed financial advisor or attorney before enrolling.
- Zogby is an independent comparison service and does not provide debt settlement services. We do not negotiate with creditors on your behalf or manage settlement accounts.
This page is informational, not financial or legal advice. Talk to a qualified professional before making any big money decisions.
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