Consumer complaint received 2025-07-22 00:00:00
Product: Debt or credit management — Debt settlement
Issue: Didn't provide services promised — 
Company: NATIONAL DEBT RELIEF LLC
State: LA

Complaint narrative:
Formal Complaint Against National Debt Relief To Whom It May Concern, I am filing a complaint against National Debt Relief ( NDR ) due to deceptive practices, misrepresentation, and financial and emotional harm I experienced while enrolled in their program. 

Background : I contacted NDR after seeing social media ads promising debt relief through low monthly payments. I was trying to pay off credit cards to afford my student loans, which Id believed would be forgiven for working at a Title I school, but later learned would not be.

Enrollment and Promises : NDR claimed they would negotiate with each creditor individually and that the average fee would be about 14 % of the debt amount. I was quoted a monthly payment of {$340.00}, with the possibility of a slight increase. I was told : NDR would contact all creditors about my enrollment and intent to settle. 
They would handle all communication ; I was not to speak to creditors. 
If I were sued, an attorney would represent me at no extra cost. 

Based on these assurances, I enrolled in the program. 

Misuse of Funds and Lack of Action : After months of paying, I realized that out of approximately {$6000.00} paid into the program, less than {$1500.00} had been sent to creditors. The rest went to administrative fees and undisclosed third parties. NDR then claimed my original {$17000.00} debt had grown to {$20000.00} due to ongoing interest and fees which accumulated because creditors were never contacted.

NDR repeatedly told me not to contact creditors, leaving me completely in the dark. 

Lawsuits and Medical Impact : Despite being told lawsuits were unlikely, I was sued by XXXX creditors. I had to settle both for more than the original balances. NDR still charged me additional fees. After filing a XXXX  complaint, NDR began calling me excessively, pressuring me for more money. These long, stressful calls caused my XXXX XXXX to spike to dangerous levels, ultimately leading to a three-day hospital stay. 

Tax Complications : Although I had paid settlements through NDR, I received XXXX 1099-C forms from creditors claiming they had forgiven the debts causing me to lose my tax refund. This created further financial hardship and confusion. 

XXXX XXXX and Broken Agreements : After working with a manager to reconcile every transaction including agreeing to pay an additional {$300.00} to cover any shortfalls NDR still reversed payments and began renegotiating accounts I had already settled. I discovered payments were going to parties I never authorized, and promises made during calls were not honored. 

Due to the emotional toll and health risk, I requested that all communication be handled via email. My request was ignored, and phone calls continued. 

Final Termination Without Closure : After a second XXXX  complaint, NDR canceled my account which I had asked for but failed to : Release my accounts in writing Provide a complete, accurate breakdown of payments Return funds that were not applied toward debt Supporting Evidence : I have documented every step : recorded phone calls, emails, payment records, and settlement receipts. I am requesting an investigation into this companys practices and the return of any funds not paid to creditors. I am also requesting formal account releases so I can resolve the remaining debts directly and protect my financial future.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation