Bureau of Debt Settlement
Start Fresh, Settle Your Debts
Wave goodbye to the restless nights and the overwhelming stress of mounting debts. Our battle-tested debt settlement services are meticulously crafted to help ease your financial burdens, offering you a beacon of hope. Imagine the relief of watching your debts shrink, bringing you closer to a life of financial freedom and peace.
We are officially a 501(c)(3) Non-profit organization.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit debt settlement company, our primary mission is to serve your financial well-being, not generate profit. This means our focus is achieving the best possible debt resolution for you.
Our Two-step process
Step 1
Free consultation
Tell us your financial story. We’ll review your credit report in detail to understand your situation fully—every piece matters.
Step 2
See If You Qualify
If our program fits your needs, we’ll walk you through it. If not, we’ll suggest a better path based on your goals.
How long does settlement take?
How long it takes depends on your accounts, your creditors, and your ability to fund a settlement. We negotiate directly with your creditors and keep you informed at every step.
We know time matters when you’re under financial pressure. Our approach is strategic and tailored to your situation. Before you decide, we’ll explain what to expect for your accounts.
Settle for way less
When you’re able to make a lump sum payment, creditors are often willing to settle for significantly less than what you owe. A one-time payment can resolve an account without a drawn-out monthly plan.
If a lump sum isn’t in reach, that’s okay. We can help you plan for a settlement when you’re ready, or point you to other options. Our goal is to meet you where you are and help you move forward.
What we are not
A one-size fits all solution. You need the option that best serves YOUR financial situation.
A long-term program you’re locked into. A company that asks you to give up control of your money. YOU keep control.
A company that is afraid to tell you if settlement isn’t your best option
Custom Debt Settlements That Work
We work to reduce overwhelming debts by negotiating settlements with your creditors. To do this, your analyst will review your accounts and coordinate a plan of action. Imagine the relief and confidence as you see each settled debt bring you closer to a life where your financial goals are achievable realities.
How we’re different
- Nonprofit Advantage: As a nonprofit, BODS puts people before profit—offering lower fees.
- You Stay in Control: We never hold your money or require a new account. You manage your funds throughout the process.
- Flexible Process: How long it takes depends on your accounts, your creditors, and your ability to fund a settlement.
- Personalized Support: Every client receives a custom plan tailored to their financial goals.
- Honest About Credit: Debt settlement may hurt your credit score, and late payments or charged-off accounts can stay on your credit report.
- Experienced Negotiators: We handle all negotiations to maximize savings and minimize stress.
- All Options Explained: You’ll get honest advice on all available paths—not just settlement.
Important information about debt settlement
- Results are not guaranteed. Creditors are not required to accept a settlement.
- Creditors and collectors may continue collection efforts, including lawsuits, until a settlement is reached.
- Settled debt may be considered taxable income.
We’re Easy to Talk to
Every conversation is straightforward and stress-free. Our experts are not just knowledgeable in debt settlement strategies but are experienced with general credit education, too. Let’s discuss your specific debt situation, outline possible solutions, or answer any concerns you have. Our team makes complex financial discussions feel simple and approachable.
Frequently Asked Questions
As a nonprofit, The Bureau of Debt Settlement (BODS) is focused on affordability and access – not profit. We work to keep our fees low. Our mission is to make debt relief available to more people, no matter where they’re starting from.
Debt settlement reduces what you owe by negotiating directly with your creditors. You pay a portion of your original balance, and the rest is forgiven.
Debt consolidation combines multiple debts into one loan with a single monthly payment, usually at a lower interest rate. However, it often requires good credit to qualify and doesn’t reduce the total amount you owe.
We begin with a free, no-obligation consultation to understand your financial situation. We’ll walk you through all your available options—settlement, bankruptcy, or consolidation—and help you decide what’s best. For nonprofit credit counseling, visit bodsedu.org. For nonprofit credit counseling, visit bodsedu.org.
If debt settlement is the right fit, we build a personalized plan based on your budget and timeline. Our focus is on lump sum settlements rather than long payment plans. How long it takes depends on your accounts, your creditors, and your ability to fund a settlement. Our team negotiates directly with your creditors to reduce your debt.
Yes! If we can’t settle your debt, you don’t pay a fee. We set clear expectations upfront and work closely with you toward a shared goal: getting you out of debt.
If you’re still able to pay, we recommend keeping any open accounts current to avoid further credit damage. However, debt settlement may hurt your credit score, and late payments or charged-off accounts can stay on your credit report. Every situation is different—our agents will help you make the best call.
You do. Unlike many for-profit agencies, we never take control of your funds. You manage your money and make payments directly after a settlement is reached. Our agents ensure a streamlined payment process is set up during each settlement.
Savings depend on your accounts, your creditors, and what they agree to accept. Results are not guaranteed, and settled debt may be considered taxable income. Any money you save is money you can redirect toward your future—not fees or interest.
As a nonprofit, The Bureau of Debt Settlement (BODS) puts your best interests first. We believe in education, transparency, and flexibility.
Every client receives a personalized assessment and a clear, realistic plan—along with honest guidance on how each option could affect your finances and credit. Settlement isn’t right for everyone, and we’ll help you explore all your options before you decide.
Unlike many for-profit companies:
- You control your money! You stay in full control of your money. We never ask you to open or transfer funds into a third-party account.
- We don’t lock you into a multi-year program.
- Honest about credit impact. Debt settlement may hurt your credit score, and late payments or charged-off accounts can stay on your credit report.
- Personalized planning. You get a custom debt resolution strategy based on your goals – not a cookie-cutter program.
- Education First. We explain all of your options—settlement is just one of many. If another path is better for you, we’ll help you find it.
- Clear expectations. We explain the risks before you decide.
At BODS, you’re not just another client—you’re a partner in the process.
We’ll explain how settlement could affect your accounts before you decide.
You can, and we support your drive to take control of your finances. But dealing with creditors—especially large banks or collection agencies—can be tough, time-consuming, and emotionally draining.
Our experienced negotiators know what to say, when to say it, and how to get results. We work hard to get you the lowest possible settlements while protecting your rights and peace of mind. When you work with BODS, you’re not just getting a service—you’re gaining an advocate.
Yes, a creditor could sue you. Creditors and collectors may continue collection efforts, including lawsuits, until a settlement is reached.
In most cases, clients come to us with accounts that are already closed or charged off. However, if you still have active accounts, we’ll help you decide the best path forward. In some cases, we may even be able to help get an account reinstated. Our agents will guide you based on your unique situation and goals.