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InCharge Debt Solutions Reviews and Ratings
InCharge Debt Solutions company logo
Charge Debt Solutions is a nonprofit credit counseling agency based in Orlando, Florida. It has helped more than a million people pay off over $3.4 billion in debt since 1997. It does not lend money, and it is not a debt settlement company. Instead, it works with your creditors to lower your interest rates and roll your bills into one monthly payment.
This InCharge Debt Solutions review breaks down how each program works. It covers the real costs, what clients say on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau, and how InCharge stacks up against other nonprofits. By the end, you will know if InCharge is the right first call for your debt.
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What is InCharge Debt Solutions?
InCharge Debt Solutions homepage
InCharge Debt Solutions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit credit counseling organization. It was founded in 1997 and is headquartered at 5750 Major Blvd, Suite 300, Orlando, Florida. You can reach it by phone at 800-565-8953 or online at incharge.org.
The organization holds strong credentials. It carries an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, where it has been accredited since 2002. It is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). It is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA). It is also approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for housing counseling, and by the EOUST for bankruptcy education.
These badges matter. NFCC membership requires certified counselors, fair fees, and honest advice. Every InCharge counselor is NFCC-certified and trained for six weeks before helping clients.
InCharge does not lend money. It also does not cut your balance through standard settlement. Its main service, the debt management plan, lowers your interest rates while you repay the full amount you owe.
How credit counseling differs from settlement and consolidation loans
Most people who search for debt help mix up these three options. They are not the same.
Credit counseling is what InCharge offers. A certified counselor reviews your income, your bills, and your debt. Then they suggest a plan. The first session is free, and there is no pressure to enroll.
A debt management plan, or DMP, is the next step for many clients. InCharge asks your creditors to cut your interest rates and waive fees. You pay InCharge once a month, and InCharge pays your creditors. You still repay your full principal, so your credit takes far less damage than it would with settlement. Unlike debt consolidation loans, a DMP does not replace your balances with a new loan.
Debt settlement is a different product. A for-profit company negotiates to pay less than you owe. That can hurt your credit and may create a tax bill. InCharge does offer one program like this, the Less Than Full Balance Program, which we explain below.
InCharge Debt Solutions programs
InCharge runs five main services. Each one fits a different need.
Free credit counseling
This is the starting point. A counselor pulls your credit report with a soft check that does not hurt your score. The session lasts 25 to 40 minutes and can be done by phone or online. You walk away with a clear set of options and no obligation to sign up.
Debt management plan
The DMP is the core service. InCharge works with your credit card companies to lower your rates, often to around 8 percent. Some accounts drop as low as 0 percent. You make one fixed monthly payment, and the plan usually runs three to five years.
Your credit score is not a factor when you qualify. You will likely need to close the cards in the plan, so prepare for that.
Less Than Full Balance Program
InCharge also calls this its Credit Card Debt Forgiveness program. It is a form of nonprofit settlement. It is built for people whose accounts have already been charged off, which usually happens after 120 to 180 days of missed payments.
Participating creditors agree to accept 50 to 60 percent of what you owe. You make fixed payments over 36 months, and no interest is added. Because the accounts are already delinquent, this program carries the same credit damage as settlement. Forgiven debt may also count as taxable income, so talk to a tax professional first.
Bankruptcy education
Federal law requires counseling before and after you file for bankruptcy. InCharge is approved to provide both courses.
Housing counseling
InCharge is HUD-approved to help homeowners. Counselors guide you through foreclosure prevention, loan modifications, and homebuyer education.
What InCharge Debt Solutions costs
The first counseling session is free. There is no charge to learn your options, even if you never enroll.
If you join a debt management plan, a small monthly fee applies. The average fee is about $34 a month. There is also a one-time setup fee that averages around $52. Both fees depend on your state and your debt amount, and the setup fee tops out near $99.
These fees stay low because InCharge is a nonprofit. The interest you save usually covers the cost many times over. Say you owe $15,000 at 24 percent interest. Cutting that rate to 8 percent saves you far more each month than the fee costs. If you cannot afford the fee, ask about a hardship waiver.
InCharge Debt Solutions reviews and ratings
Client feedback is strong across most platforms. Here is what the data shows as of mid-2026.
Trustpilot reviews
InCharge Trustpilot profile
InCharge holds about 4.6 out of 5 on Trustpilot, based on more than 2,250 reviews. Around 87 percent are five-star, and only 4 percent are one or two stars. The company replies to all of its negative reviews, often within a week. Happy clients mention patient counselors and real interest savings. A few wish the account-closing rule had been explained sooner.
Better Business Bureau reviews
InCharge BBB profile
InCharge has an A+ rating and has been BBB-accredited since 2002. Its customer review score sits around 4.4 out of 5. Complaints are few for its size, and InCharge responds to them. Most involve payment timing or communication, not fraud.
Google and Yelp reviews
On Google, InCharge averages about 4.0 stars from roughly 111 reviews. On Yelp, the score is lower at about 3.3 from a small set of 14 reviews. Smaller samples like these swing more easily.
Reddit reviews
On forums like r/personalfinance and r/debtfree, users treat InCharge as a legit nonprofit. The most common worry is closing credit cards. One user shared that a plan would save more than $30,000 in interest over four and a half years. Others ask, fairly, how to be sure InCharge pays creditors on time. The answer is that every payment is tracked in your online account.
InCharge Debt Solutions outcomes and success rate
InCharge reports a customer satisfaction rate of 94 percent. It says it has helped more than a million people repay over $3.4 billion in debt since 1997. Treat these as firm-reported numbers.
The average client cuts credit card interest from the 20 to 30 percent range down to about 8 percent. Most plans finish in three to five years. Real client stories back this up. One client paid off $58,000 in three years, and another cleared $34,000 in five. Results depend on your income and your discipline with the plan.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Nonprofit mission, so counselors are not paid on commission
- Free first session with no pressure to enroll
- Interest rates often cut to around 8 percent
- Strong credentials, including A+ BBB, NFCC, COA, and HUD approval
- A DMP hurts your credit far less than settlement does
- Decades of proven results and high client satisfaction
Cons
- You repay your full balance, so this is not for people who need balance cuts
- A monthly fee applies, though it is small
- You usually must close the enrolled credit cards
- The plan does not cover secured debt like mortgages or car loans
- The Less Than Full Balance Program carries settlement-level credit and tax risk
- The plan takes three to five years and demands steady payments
Who InCharge Debt Solutions is best for
InCharge works well for certain people.
- People with several thousand dollars in credit card debt and steady income
- People who want to repay their debt in full without settlement damage
- Homeowners who need HUD-approved foreclosure help
- Anyone who needs court-required bankruptcy counseling
- People who want honest, no-pressure advice before they pick a path
Who should look elsewhere
InCharge is not the right fit for everyone.
- People whose main debt is a mortgage, car loan, or student loan
- People who cannot repay their full balance even at a lower rate
- People who want relief faster than three to five years
- People who need deep balance cuts may be better served by debt settlement companies and should accept the credit hit that comes with them
How InCharge compares to GreenPath Financial Wellness
GreenPath is the closest nonprofit rival. Both are NFCC members, both serve all 50 states, and both offer counseling, DMPs, and housing help.
The fees are close. GreenPath charges about $31 a month with a $35 setup fee. InCharge charges about $34 a month with a $52 setup fee. GreenPath has run since 1961, while InCharge started in 1997.
Both lower interest rates into the single digits. The best choice often comes down to which agency already has a deal with your specific creditors. Ask both for a free session and compare the offers you get.
Is InCharge Debt Solutions legitimate?
Yes. InCharge is a real 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has operated since 1997. Its A+ BBB rating, NFCC membership, COA accreditation, and HUD approval all confirm its standing. We found no FTC, CFPB, or state enforcement actions against InCharge as of this review.
Still, stay alert for scams that borrow trusted names. If someone calls and demands a fee before any service, hang up. Real nonprofits like InCharge do not work that way. Verify by calling InCharge directly at 800-565-8953.
Final verdict
Carrying credit card balances at 20 to 30 percent interest is a trap. Minimum payments barely touch the principal, and the debt grows month after month.
The debt relief market is crowded, and many for-profit firms push products that can leave you worse off. It is hard to tell good help from bad.
InCharge offers a safe first step. The free session gives you honest advice with no sales pressure. For people with credit card debt and steady income, its debt management plan can cut interest costs without the harm of settlement. For anyone drowning in card debt, InCharge is a smart, low-cost first call.
Ready to take control of your debt? Compare your options today. Call InCharge at 800-565-8953 or visit incharge.org for a free, no-pressure session. You can also compare personal loan rates and check the lenders below to see how they stack up before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Does InCharge Debt Solutions hurt your credit?
Enrolling in a DMP may cause a small, short dip because you close cards. Over time, steady payments often help your credit recover.
How much does InCharge Debt Solutions cost?
The first session is free. A debt management plan costs about $34 a month, plus a setup fee that averages $52. Fees vary by state.
How long does the InCharge program take?
Most debt management plans run three to five years. The Less Than Full Balance Program runs 36 months.
Is InCharge Debt Solutions a real nonprofit?
Yes. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 with an A+ BBB rating and NFCC membership.
Does InCharge lend money?
No. InCharge does not lend money. It negotiates with your creditors and manages your monthly payments.
Disclaimer. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. InCharge Debt Solutions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit credit counseling organization and does not lend money. A debt management plan does not guarantee a specific interest rate, and outcomes depend on your creditors. The Less Than Full Balance Program may affect your credit and your taxes, so consult a licensed professional before enrolling. Always weigh all options before you decide.
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The company does not vouch for the accuracy or credibility of any user published Content on our Website and does not take any responsibility or assume any liability for any actions you may take as a result of reading user published Content on our Website.
Through your use of the Website and Services, you may be exposed to Content that you may find offensive, objectionable, harmful, inaccurate, or deceptive.
By using our Website, you assume all associated risks.This Website contains hyperlinks to other websites controlled by third parties. These links are provided solely as a convenience to you and do not imply endorsement by the Company of, or any affiliation with, or endorsement by, the owner of the linked website.
Company is not responsible for the contents or use of any linked website, or any consequence of making the link.
This content is provided by New Start Advantage LLC through a licensed media partnership with Inquirer.net. Inquirer.net does not endorse or verify partner content. All information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Offers and terms may change without notice.
