At a Glance
Rating Breakdown
About InCharge Debt Solutions
InCharge Debt Solutions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit credit counseling agency founded in 1997 and based in Orlando, Florida. They provide free financial counseling and affordable debt management plans to consumers nationwide. InCharge's primary differentiator is speed: they have tightened their enrollment workflow so clients can go from initial counseling to creditor enrollment in a single appointment. This efficiency has a trade-off worth understanding. A fast enrollment process means less time spent exploring alternatives. While InCharge counselors are required by NFCC standards to present all options, the operational design of their intake — optimized for same-session DMP conversion — can create subtle pressure toward enrollment. Consumers should feel comfortable requesting a second session or taking time to compare DMP terms with settlement estimates or balance transfer options before committing. InCharge maintains strong relationships with major creditors and typically secures interest rate reductions to 0-9%. Their 28,000+ verified reviews and NFCC membership provide baseline credibility. One notable aspect of InCharge's fee structure: their setup fee can reach $75 in some states, which is at the top of the NFCC range and nearly double what ACCC charges. Over a 48-month program, InCharge's total fees (setup + monthly) can exceed $2,500.
Key Features
Same-Session Enrollment
You can go from initial counseling to DMP enrollment in one sitting. That speed is real, but do not let it rush you into a 3-5 year commitment — ask for time to compare alternatives if you need it.
Strong Creditor Concession Rates
Long-standing partnerships with major creditors enable competitive rate reductions, typically to 0-9%. Note that these concession rates are largely standardized across NFCC agencies — the rate Chase offers through InCharge is usually the same rate offered through any NFCC member.
Real-Time Online Portal
Track payments, view individual creditor balances, and monitor your payoff timeline through a secure dashboard. The portal also shows exactly when each creditor payment was disbursed, providing transparency that some competitors lack.
Bankruptcy Pre-Filing Counseling
InCharge provides the mandatory pre-filing bankruptcy counseling course, which means their counselors can assess whether bankruptcy might be a better option for your situation rather than a DMP.
How It Works
Free Counseling
Talk to a certified counselor who reviews your debts, income, and budget. Free, no strings.
DMP Proposal
If a DMP makes sense, the counselor shows you the proposed rates, monthly payment, and timeline in concrete numbers.
Creditor Enrollment
InCharge calls each creditor to lock in the lower rates and get late fees waived.
Monthly Payment
One monthly payment to InCharge covers everything. They distribute to each creditor for you.
Graduation
Finish the plan in 3-5 years with every enrolled debt fully paid off.
What They Do
- Debt Management Plans
- Credit Counseling
- Financial Education
- Bankruptcy Counseling
Debt Types They Take On
- Credit Cards
- Medical Bills
- Personal Loans
- Store Cards
Fee & Cost Structure
Regulatory & Trust
Review Summary
Notable Case Studies
Same-Day Enrollment for Urgent Debt
Client with $22,000 across 4 credit cards at 26% average APR was receiving collection calls and needed immediate action. InCharge completed counseling and enrollment in a single 90-minute session, with creditor confirmations arriving within 72 hours.
Post-Medical Emergency Card Debt
Client charged $31,000 in medical expenses across 3 credit cards at 22-28% APR while uninsured. InCharge negotiated all three cards down to 0-5% and structured a 54-month payoff.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fast and simple enrollment — can complete in a single session
- Interest rates often reduced to 0-9% on enrolled debts
- Transparent online portal showing real-time payment disbursements
- verified client reputation and NFCC membership
Cons
- Setup fees up to $75 — among the highest in the NFCC network
- Fast enrollment process may not leave enough time to evaluate alternatives
- No debt settlement services
- Limited in-person locations outside Florida
User Reviews (9)
enrolled in a DMP during my first call - 90 minutes total
InCharge's same-session enrollment is real. Called at 10am, explained my $22k in debt at 26% APR, counselor built a budget, proposed a DMP at 3-7% rates, I agreed, creditor enrollment started before noon. 90 minutes from "hello" to "you're enrolled." When you're drowning, speed matters. Collection calls stopped within 2 weeks.
fast enrollment is great but don't rush a 4-year commitment
The same-session enrollment is a feature AND a risk. I almost signed up for a 48-month DMP in 90 minutes without comparing alternatives. Took a breath, asked for the proposal in writing, compared to ACCC and a balance transfer. Came back to InCharge a week later. The proposal was better than alternatives for my situation ($28k at 24% avg) but PLEASE take time to compare.
online portal shows exactly when each creditor gets paid
InCharge's portal is one of the better ones among nonprofits. I could see when each creditor payment was disbursed, the exact amount sent, and the updated balance. No wondering if my money actually went where it was supposed to. $31k across 4 cards, rates at 0-5%. The transparency of the portal gave me confidence throughout.
felt subtle pressure to enroll same day
When I said "I want to think about it for a few days" there was a pause and then "I understand, but the rates we've discussed are based on current creditor agreements that could change." Felt like a soft deadline to push me toward same-session enrollment. The rates didn't change when I called back a week later. Don't let urgency rhetoric rush a 4-year commitment. $23k enrolled after careful comparison.
setup fee at $75 is the highest I found
InCharge charges up to $75 setup. ACCC charges $39 max. That's almost double. Over the full program: InCharge total fees were about $2,475 (75 setup + $50/mo x 48). ACCC would have been $1,911 ($39 setup + $39/mo x 48). A $564 difference for the same creditor rate reductions. InCharge's portal and speed are nice but are they $564 nice? Debatable. $25k enrolled.
they do bankruptcy counseling too so they see the full picture
InCharge provides pre-filing bankruptcy education. That means their counselors understand when Chapter 7 is a better option than a DMP. My counselor actually ran both scenarios and showed me why the DMP saved more for my $26k debt level. If I had $50k+ she said bankruptcy would have been the recommendation. Agencies without this certification cant make that comparison.
good service, limited in-person presence
Headquartered in Orlando/Kissimmee FL. Everything else is phone and online. Fine for most people but I would have liked to sit across from someone for the initial session. The phone counseling was thorough and my counselor was patient. $19k enrolled at 2-7% rates for 42 months. Service quality was solid regardless of channel.
DMP shows on credit report and it matters
My credit report now says accounts are "managed by third-party debt management program." Applied for a car loan 6 months into the DMP. Lender asked about it. Had to explain. Still got the loan but at 2% higher rate than I would have gotten without the DMP notation. InCharge never mentioned this during enrollment. If you're planning any borrowing during the DMP, ask about this. $27k enrolled.
lost my job and they couldn't pause the DMP fast enough
Got laid off at month 10. Called InCharge immediately. Took 3 weeks to process a hardship pause. Meanwhile my next DMP payment went out even though I needed that money for rent. The fast enrollment process doesn't match the fast hardship response you'd expect. Smaller agencies like Navicore paused a client's DMP in 48 hours. Scale has drawbacks.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Important Credit Counseling Disclaimers
- Credit counseling agencies help you create a plan to repay your debts in full, typically over 3-5 years through a Debt Management Plan (DMP). Unlike debt settlement, a DMP does not reduce your principal balance.
- Nonprofit status does not mean free. Most nonprofit credit counseling agencies charge setup fees ($25-$75) and monthly maintenance fees ($25-$50). These fees are regulated and capped in most states.
- Enrolling in a DMP may require you to close enrolled credit card accounts, which can temporarily lower your credit score. However, consistent on-time payments through the DMP typically improve your score over time.
- A DMP is not a loan. You still owe each creditor individually; the agency distributes your single monthly payment to each creditor on your behalf.
- Credit counseling agencies negotiate reduced interest rates (often 0-9%) and waived fees with creditors, but not all creditors participate in every agency's program.
- Zogby does not provide credit counseling or debt relief services. We are an independent comparison service.
This page is informational, not financial or legal advice. Talk to a qualified professional before making any big money decisions.
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