Frequently asked questions

Generally $10,000 or more in eligible unsecured debt. Below that, program fees consume too much of the benefit and you're usually better off with a nonprofit credit counselor, a consolidation loan, or negotiating directly with your creditors.

No to both. The consultation is free with no obligation, and we do not need to pull your credit to give you an estimate. If you later enroll, we may request a credit report with your written authorization to make sure no accounts were missed.

Your creditors and approximate balances, your monthly take-home income, your fixed expenses, and what changed — job loss, medical event, divorce, reduced hours. We don't need your Social Security number or bank details to give you an estimate.

Usually within a week. But we'd rather you took the agreement home, read it, and slept on it. There is no version of this where a one-day delay costs you anything, and anyone telling you otherwise is selling.

Yes, and you should plan for it. A resolution program generally requires you to stop paying enrolled creditors, which is reported as delinquency and typically causes a significant score drop within the first few months. Accounts that settle are usually reported as “settled for less than the full balance,” which is a negative notation. Delinquencies remain on your report for up to seven years from the date of first delinquency. Many clients see recovery begin once balances are resolved and utilization drops, but that varies by person and is not guaranteed.

Negative items stay on your credit report for up to seven years from the date of first delinquency — not from the date of settlement. Their weight in scoring decreases over time. Rebuilding usually depends more on what you do after the program (on-time payments, low utilization, a secured card if needed) than on the settlements themselves.

Sometimes, yes — a card with a small balance kept current can be useful. But be realistic: issuers routinely close or reduce lines on accounts when they see delinquency elsewhere on your report, whether or not that card is enrolled. Don't build a plan that depends on keeping access to credit.

Not automatically. Calls often increase in the first several months. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act you can send third-party collectors a written request to stop contacting you, and we'll help you do that where it applies. Original creditors are generally not covered by the FDCPA, and no one can promise silence.

Yes, at any point. Enrolling does not stop a lawsuit and gives you no legal protection. If you're served, tell us immediately — we'll help you understand your options and may prioritize that account for negotiation. But we are not a law firm, we cannot give you legal advice, and we cannot represent you in court. If you're sued, consider consulting an attorney or your local legal aid office right away. Do not ignore a summons; a default judgment can lead to wage garnishment or a bank levy.

Nothing upfront. Program fees run 15%–25% of the enrolled balance of each account, and are earned only after that debt is settled, you approve the settlement in writing, and at least one payment is made toward it. The dedicated account bank charges a separate monthly fee, typically about $10. Full breakdown on our results & fees page.

On your enrolled balance. That makes your total fee fixed and knowable on day one. Some competitors charge a percentage of savings instead. Neither model is inherently better — but you should know which one you're buying, and you should ask every company you talk to.

In an FDIC-insured dedicated account opened in your name at an independent, unaffiliated third-party bank. You control it, you can see it, and you can withdraw from it. We cannot take funds from it without your authorization for a specific approved settlement.

Call us before you miss it. Deposits can often be adjusted or a month skipped, which extends your timeline rather than ending the program. If you want out entirely, you can cancel at any time with no penalty and withdraw whatever remains in your account. Fees already earned on settlements you approved are not refunded.

Possibly. The IRS generally treats cancelled debt of $600 or more as taxable income and creditors may issue Form 1099-C. Exclusions exist — insolvency at the time of cancellation is the most common — but they must be claimed correctly on your return. We do not provide tax advice. Budget for the possibility and speak with a tax professional.

Most programs are designed for 24–48 months. The variables are your balances, how fast your deposits accumulate, and which creditors negotiate. Depositing more than the minimum shortens it. Missing deposits lengthens it.

Typically four to eight months in, once your dedicated account holds enough to make a credible offer. It can be sooner with a larger deposit, and later if balances are large or creditors are slow.

It happens. Some creditors have policies against working with debt resolution firms, and some will only offer terms that don't help you. We'll keep trying as leverage changes, but if we hit a genuine wall we'll tell you plainly rather than run out your clock. Accounts that don't settle remain your responsibility, and you may need to pay them directly or address them another way.

Yes. Every offer is presented to you in writing with the payoff amount, the payment schedule, and the fee. You can accept or decline. Nothing is settled and no funds move without your authorization.

Drafting stops, the program closes, and any remaining balance in your dedicated account is returned to you. You'll have settlement letters for every resolved account — keep them permanently, in case a balance ever resurfaces with a debt buyer.

Yes, and for some people that's the right answer. Creditors will negotiate directly with consumers, and it costs you nothing but time and nerve. If you have two or three accounts, a stable income, and the patience for collection calls, try it first. What a firm adds is negotiator experience, existing creditor relationships, volume leverage, and a structure that keeps you consistent over several years. Whether that's worth 15%–25% is a judgment only you can make.

A nonprofit credit counseling agency typically sets up a debt management plan: you pay your balances in full at a reduced interest rate over three to five years. Your credit takes far less damage. It's usually the better option if you can afford the full balances at a lower rate. Debt resolution aims to pay less than the full balance, which is why it costs your credit more. Start at nfcc.org if that sounds like your situation.

For some people, yes — genuinely. Chapter 7 can discharge qualifying unsecured debt in a few months, comes with an automatic stay that stops collections and lawsuits, and often costs less than a multi-year settlement program. The trade-offs are the public filing, up to ten years on your credit report, eligibility testing, and possible asset exposure. We are not attorneys and cannot advise you on it. Talk to a bankruptcy attorney — most offer a free consultation — before you decide.

It's the question that matters most and the one this industry avoids. Our current figures, along with how we define “completion,” are stated in your written program agreement and available on request from info@sightsolutionsgroup.com. Ask every company you speak with for theirs, in writing.

You shouldn't, by default. Verify instead: confirm no fee is charged before a settlement, confirm your funds sit in an account in your name at a bank unaffiliated with the company, confirm the company is licensed and bonded in your state, read the written agreement before signing, check complaints with your state attorney general and the CFPB, and ask for statistics with their definitions attached. If any of that gets a vague answer, walk.