The most common way consumers fall prey to debt relief scams is by paying a company upfront. Federal law prohibits debt settlement companies from charging you anything until they actually settle your accounts. Other indicators that a company may not be trustworthy include having a relatively weak online presence and making grandiose promises that sound too good to be true. For example, it’s a red flag for companies to guarantee they’ll succeed in lowering your debts.  Learn More: How to Spot Debt Relief and Credit Repair Scams