United Debt Relief: Price the Cost of Staying in Debt, Not Just the Program
The Californer/10353509

SAN DIEGO - Californer -- United Debt Relief is asking consumers weighing a debt relief program to stop evaluating it as a single price tag and start comparing it against the cost of doing nothing.

Federal Reserve Bank of New York data puts total U.S. household debt at a record $18.79 trillion as of the first quarter of 2026. The Federal Reserve's G.19 release places the average APR on credit card accounts assessed interest at 22.15% for the second quarter of 2026.

"The cost of getting out of debt is real, and it is almost always smaller than the cost of staying in it," said Nick Avila, founder of United Debt Relief. "A debt settlement program will lower your credit in the short term, and I will always say so plainly. What matters is whether it gets you out of a hole you could not climb out of otherwise."

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United Debt Relief identifies three costs consumers should understand before enrolling in any settlement program:

1. Fees. Under the Federal Trade Commission's Telemarketing Sales Rule, a debt settlement company cannot charge a fee until at least one debt has been settled or reduced.

2. Credit impact. The effect is real but time-limited: negative marks generally clear within seven years under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

3. Tax. Forgiven debt of $600 or more may be reported to the IRS on a Form 1099-C and may be treated as taxable income.

Individual results vary by creditor, balance, and circumstances. United Debt Relief charges no upfront consultation fees and does not guarantee outcomes.

United Debt Relief is a nationwide debt relief company serving all 50 states. Program services are performed by vetted in-network providers and law firms, each BBB Accredited with an A rating. More at https://uniteddebtrelief.com/