At a Glance
Rating Breakdown
Performance Overview
Scores out of 5, based on our editorial analysis
About InCharge Debt Solutions
InCharge Debt Solutions is structurally different from every other company in our review because it is not a debt settlement company at all. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit credit counseling agency founded in 1997 in Orlando, Florida, accredited by the NFCC (National Foundation for Credit Counseling), FCAA (Financial Counseling Association of America), and HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development). InCharge does not negotiate reduced balances — they negotiate reduced interest rates through debt management plans (DMPs), allowing you to repay 100% of what you owe at dramatically lower cost. This distinction is the single most important thing to understand before choosing between credit counseling and debt settlement. The DMP mechanics are straightforward: InCharge contacts your creditors and requests concession rates — typically reducing interest from 18-28% down to 0-8%. You then make one consolidated monthly payment to InCharge, who distributes it to all enrolled creditors. Your accounts remain in good standing, meaning no late payments, no charge-offs, and no credit score damage beyond the minor impact of closing enrolled accounts. The trade-off is time and total repayment: DMPs take 36-60 months and require repaying 100% of principal. By contrast, debt settlement saves 40-60% of principal but destroys your credit for 2-4 years. For consumers with stable income who can afford monthly payments at reduced rates, a DMP is almost always the better financial decision. InCharge's nonprofit status means their incentives are structurally different from for-profit settlement companies. They are funded partly by creditor contributions (creditors support DMPs because they get repaid in full) and partly by the modest DMP fees ($0-$50 setup, $25-$50/month). Their free credit counseling sessions are actually free — there is no sales pitch to convert you into a paying client. They will honestly tell you if a DMP is not right for your situation and recommend alternatives including settlement, consolidation, or bankruptcy. Only 8 CFPB complaints in 3 years across all 50 states reflects the cleanest regulatory record in our entire review.
Key Features
Nonprofit Organization
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, InCharge is mission-driven rather than profit-driven. Counseling sessions are free and DMPs have minimal monthly fees.
Credit Score Preservation
Debt management plans maintain your accounts in good standing with creditors, protecting your credit score unlike settlement programs.
Reduced Interest Rates
Negotiated concession rates with major creditors typically reduce interest from 18-25% down to 0-8%, dramatically reducing total cost.
Free Credit Counseling
Every consumer gets a free, thorough credit counseling session regardless of whether they enroll in a DMP.
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling
InCharge is also a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, offering foreclosure prevention and homebuyer education.
Financial Education Programs
Extensive library of workshops, webinars, and educational materials covering budgeting, credit, homeownership, and financial planning.
How It Works
Free Counseling Session
Certified credit counselor reviews your complete financial picture at no cost.
Options Review
Counselor explains all options: DMP, self-pay, consolidation, settlement, or bankruptcy.
DMP Enrollment
If appropriate, enroll in a debt management plan with reduced interest rates.
Single Monthly Payment
Make one affordable monthly payment to InCharge, who distributes to all creditors.
Debt-Free Graduation
Complete the plan in 3-5 years with all enrolled debts paid in full.
What They Do
- Debt Management Plans
- Credit Counseling
- Housing Counseling
- Financial Education
- Bankruptcy Counseling
Debt Types They Take On
- Credit Cards
- Medical Bills
- Personal Loans
- Store Cards
- Collections
Fee & Cost Structure
Regulatory & Trust
Review Summary
Notable Case Studies
Interest Rate Reduction Saves \$18,000 in Interest
Client had \$35,000 across 5 credit cards with a weighted average APR of 22%. Minimum payments of \$875/month were barely covering interest, with over \$640/month going to interest charges alone. InCharge negotiated concession rates averaging 5% APR across all five accounts. Monthly payment dropped to \$810 with the same payoff timeline, but now \$665/month went to principal instead of \$235. The math: at 22% APR, paying \$875/month would take 62 months and cost \$54,250 total (\$19,250 in interest). At 5% APR, paying \$810/month took 48 months and cost \$38,880 total (\$3,880 in interest).
Bankruptcy Averted Through DMP
Client with \$28,000 in unsecured debt consulted a bankruptcy attorney and was quoted \$2,500 in legal fees for a Chapter 7 filing. During the required pre-bankruptcy credit counseling (InCharge is an approved provider), the counselor identified that the client's \$3,200 monthly income was sufficient to fund a DMP at \$580/month if interest rates were reduced. The client canceled the bankruptcy filing. InCharge negotiated rates from an average 24% down to 4%, reducing monthly interest from \$560 to \$93.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Credit score preservation is the primary advantage — accounts remain current, no late payments or charge-offs are reported, and your credit history stays intact throughout the 3-5 year program
- Nonprofit 501(c)(3) status means the organization is structurally incentivized to help you, not to maximize revenue — their free credit counseling is free with no conversion pressure
- DMP fees of \$25-\$50/month are trivial compared to settlement fees of 15-25% — on \$35,000 in debt, a DMP costs ~\$2,000 total in fees vs. \$5,250-\$8,750 in settlement fees
- Only 8 CFPB complaints in 3 years across all 50 states is the lowest complaint count in our entire review, reflecting exceptional operational quality and honest client interactions
- NFCC, FCAA, and HUD accreditation provides triple-layer oversight that no for-profit settlement company can match — the strongest regulatory credentials in our review
Cons
- You must repay 100% of the principal — a DMP reduces interest, not the amount owed. If you owe \$40,000, you will pay back \$40,000 plus reduced interest. Debt settlement could reduce that to \$16,000-\$24,000 before fees
- 36-60 month timeline is longer than many settlement programs (24-48 months) because you are repaying in full rather than negotiating reduced lump sums
- Enrolled credit card accounts must typically be closed, which increases your credit utilization ratio and can temporarily drop your score by 20-40 points until balances decrease
- Not all creditors participate in DMP concession rate programs — some specialty lenders, medical providers, and collection agencies may decline, leaving those debts outside the plan
User Reviews (12)
real nonprofit
501(c)(3). Reduced my interest rates from 22-28% down to 4-7%. Monthly payment dropped and every penny goes toward principal now. Credit score actually went UP.
presented all options not just DMP
Walked me through DMP, settlement, consolidation, balance transfer, DIY, and bankruptcy. Recommended DMP but was honest about the trade-offs. Appreciated that they didn't just push their own product.
you pay back every dollar though
The fundamental trade-off. I'm paying back everything I owe plus reduced interest plus fees. Settlement would have been way cheaper total. I chose InCharge to preserve credit. Worth it for me but run the numbers for yourself.
DMP beat settlement for me
Pay back the full amount but at 5% interest instead of 24%. Saved a ton in interest with zero credit damage. For people who can afford fixed payments DMP crushes settlement. Do the math for your situation.
had to close the cards though
DMP requirement: close enrolled cards. Score dipped 40 points in month 1 then started recovering. Uncomfortable but minor compared to the 100+ point nuke from settlement.
free counseling was great
Before suggesting anything the counselor spent an hour analyzing my budget. Found like $340/month in spending I could cut. THEN discussed the DMP. Shoutout to counselor Patricia who built me a realistic budget I actually stuck with.
one creditor refused
4 of 5 creditors accepted the rate reduction. One small bank refused. Still paying that account at the original 26% while others are at 4-7%. Not InCharge's fault but frustrating.
would recommend
would recommend
cheap fees
$45 setup and $35/month. Over 48 months about $1,725 total. Compare that to settlement companies charging 15-25% of your debt. You repay everything but the fee savings are real.
48 MONTHS feels like FOREVER
DMP timeline: 48-60 months. Settlement: 24-36 months. I'm 22 months in and still owe 16k of my original 28k. At this point with settlement I'd probably be DONE. The DMP is working technically but the pace is glacial and every single month I question whether I made the wrong choice. Every. Single. Month.
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Important Debt Relief Disclaimers
- Debt management plans require full repayment of enrolled debts. Unlike debt settlement, a DMP does not reduce the principal balance owed. Your creditors agree to reduced interest rates and waived fees in exchange for consistent monthly payments.
- Enrollment in a debt management plan may require you to close enrolled credit card accounts, which could temporarily affect your credit utilization ratio and credit score.
- Not all creditors participate in debt management plan programs. Some creditors may decline reduced interest rate proposals. Your credit counselor will inform you of any non-participating creditors before enrollment.
- Debt management plan fees vary by state. Some states cap monthly fees or require fee waivers for clients who cannot afford them. InCharge will disclose all fees before enrollment.
- Missing DMP payments may result in creditors reverting to original interest rates and terminating concession agreements. Consistent, on-time payments are essential for program success.
- Credit counseling and debt management plans are not the same as debt settlement. DMPs involve full repayment at reduced interest rates, while settlement involves negotiating reduced principal balances.
- Zogby does not provide debt relief services. We are an independent comparison service. We do not negotiate with creditors on your behalf or manage debt 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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We make money from some companies on this page. That doesn't change our rankings -- the editorial team scores every product independently, and the business side has no say in what we recommend.