Frequently Asked Questions


What States Does Pacific Debt Provide Debt Relief?


AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaIdahoIndianaKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMarylandMichigan, MissouriMississippiMontanaNorth CarolinaNebraskaNew Mexico, NevadaNew YorkOklahomaPennsylvaniaSouth Dakota, TennesseeTexasUtah, Wisconsin
* Other states can be connected to one of our trusted partners


I’m interested in hiring your company. What’s the next step?


The first step in the debt settlement process is to have a free consultation with us. Give us a call today and we can discuss your situation at greater length. At this time, we will determine if you qualify and if our program would be suitable for you.


Why should I use Pacific Debt?


Pacific Debt has been helping consumers since 2002 – we have a track record of success. We stay profitable as an organization by settling your debt as quickly and efficiently as possible. We earn no fees until you begin to see results.


Additionally, our staff will contact you for authorization of all settlements so you stay in control throughout the whole process. It is in our best interest to save you every penny we possibly can! It is up to you take the first step and call.


In addition to our process, which is very consumer friendly, we have the accolades to back it up. To date, we have settle over $300 million in consumer debt. In 2016, we were ranked by BestCompany.com the #1 debt settlement company in the country.


We are Accredited Members of the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating as well as Accredited Members of the Consumer Debt Relief Initiative.


Of course, don’t just take our word for it. Take a moment to read some of our client reviews and our video testimonials and see what others have to say.


Why shouldn’t I just file Bankruptcy?


If you are considering bankruptcy we suggest that you first consult with a bankruptcy attorney in your state to determine whether you qualify and discuss the pros and cons of this option. Only a licensed attorney may provide guidance as to whether bankruptcy is a suitable option for you.


In our opinion, bankruptcy is an extreme option, which has serious long-term effects on your credit and can often have negative results in many aspects of your everyday life. Bankruptcy is considered only as a last-resort option for just a few of the following reasons:

  • Filing for bankruptcy will require you to appear in Federal Court at least once and in most cases, even more.
  • Bankruptcy paperwork requires that you reveal all of your debts as well as all of your assets.
  • For up to ten years, credit bureaus are entitled to keep your bankruptcy filing on your credit report.
  • A bankruptcy filing is also a matter of “public record” for anyone that wants to know about it.

Can you stop creditor harassment?


No, we can’t stop all creditor harassment, but there are strict laws that limit how often creditors can call, what times of the day they may call as well as what they can say when trying to collect a debt. We realize that credit calls can cause a lot of anxiety and be very stressful, so our Client Care team will work with you early on in your program to educate you on what we can do to keep the calls to a minimum.


What are the fees for your service?


Our service fees will vary depending on your total debt at enrollment and state of residence. One of the great aspects of our program is that we charge no upfront fees. This means that you only pay our fees once you see actual results. For the majority of our clients, our service fee varies between 15 and 25 percent of the total debt enrolled. Our fee is always factored into your program estimate and monthly program payment.

How long does this take?


Our goal is to have you debt free in 24-48* months, depending on your current situation. Our experienced negotiators will work with you and your creditors to settle your enrolled debts for as little as possible. During the negotiation process, creditors may continue to charge interest, tack on late fees or other charges; however, we factor this in to your overall program and estimate.


The time it takes to clear a debt is mainly dependent on your financial condition, but may also depend on the creditors you enroll. We understand that every situation is different and we can discuss your situation during the free confidential phone consultation.


Is your service the same as debt consolidation?


No. With our debt settlement program, we negotiate on your behalf to reduce the amount you pay to your creditors. Debt consolidation requires you to apply for and obtain a new loan in order to pay off the entire amount of your existing debt. If you have too much debt and/or bad credit, it is unlikely that you would be approved for a favorable consolidation loan.


How does this compare to consumer credit counseling or debt management?


Credit counseling seeks to reduce the interest rates you pay, meaning you pay 100% of your original balance plus a reduced interest rate. The purpose of the plan is to get you to pay the debt in full by obtaining a lower interest rate. The major problems with credit counseling are that the monthly payments are often too high, and that it may still take five or six years to pay the debt off.


You should also know that these firms were established by the creditors! What it comes down to is that Pacific Debt will work for you, while the consumer credit counseling firms work primarily for the creditors!


What effect will debt negotiation have on my credit rating?


Clients who enroll in a debt settlement program could see their credit scores go down. For consumers that are already late on all of their bills or in collections, the effect may be minimal but PDI can not predict with any accuracy how much your score will fluctuate. Please keep in mind the settlement process may take several months or even several years for any given account. Thus, if maintaining a high credit score is a top priority for you, the debt settlement process may not be a good fit for you as you may see a damaging effect on your credit rating.


If you are unsure of your present score, we recommend you obtain copies of your credit reports and scores from the three major credit bureaus via www.annualcreditreport.com. That said, if you are current on your bills and decide to enroll in our debt settlement program, the effect on your credit score may be significant since accounts enrolled in our program will generally be reported as delinquent (30, 60, 90, 120 etc) up until the time PDI is able to obtain a settlement.


Upon completion of the program, your overall financial situation (not including your credit score) should be improved even though your credit rating may not be good. The money you had previously saved towards settling your debts can now be put towards personal savings, retirement, a college fund, a down payment on a vehicle or home, etc. However, please note that there are specific Credit Repair laws that do not allow us to discuss, offer or suggest that our program will improve your credit score, or have an effect other than negative on your credit report.


If you decide debt settlement is not for you, remember that bankruptcy may remain on your credit report for up to 10 years and will remain in court records forever.


We urge consumers to take into account the pros and cons of the credit issue when considering our services. While your credit score may suffer, it is important to weigh this against the benefits such as bankruptcy avoidance and settlement benefits.

What Pacific Debt Customers Are Saying

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