ClearOne Advantage Review: Is It Legit? (2026)
ClearOne Advantage isn't available on Finder right now.
- Minimum debt
- $10,000
- Typical turnaround
- 40–50 months (first settlement: 60–120 days)
- Fees
- Not listed; contact ClearOne for details
Our verdict
Free to start, but total program fees aren't published online
ClearOne Advantage is a legitimate debt settlement company that's been helping people tackle unsecured debt since 2008. There are no upfront fees, your monthly payment is typically up to 40% lower than what you're currently paying, and you approve every settlement before it's finalized. The catch? Fee amounts aren't published on their website — you'll need to call or email for a quote.
Best for: People with at least $10,000 in unsecured debt who want a personalized, no-upfront-fee settlement plan.
Pros
-
No upfront fees, you only pay after a settlement is approved
-
Monthly payments typically up to 40% lower than current payments
-
You approve every settlement before funds are released
Cons
-
Fees not disclosed online, requires a call for a quote
-
Will negatively impact your credit score during the program
-
Not available in all states
Key takeaways
- ClearOne Advantage is a legitimate debt settlement company that has been operating since 2008, holds a BBB A+ rating and requires no upfront fees — you only pay once a settlement is reached and approved.
- Every settlement offer must be reviewed and approved by you before anything moves forward, and you can cancel at any time without fees or penalties.
- Enrolling will hurt your credit score — you stop making payments to creditors as part of the process, and delinquencies can remain on your credit report for up to seven years.
Is ClearOne Advantage legit?
Yes. ClearOne Advantage has been operating since 2008 and has office locations in Tempe, AZ and Baltimore, MD. The company is BBB accredited with an A+ rating and is a member of the Association for Consumer Debt Relief (ACDR). All of its debt specialists are certified through the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA). There are no FTC enforcement actions against the company appearing in any available records.
What makes ClearOne Advantage shine?
- No upfront fees. You don’t pay ClearOne anything until a settlement is reached, you approve it, and at least one payment is made toward it. There are no penalties for canceling either.
- You stay in control. Every settlement offer must be reviewed and approved by you through the client portal before anything moves forward.
- FDIC-insured savings account. Your monthly payments go into a dedicated, FDIC-insured savings account (up to $250,000) where funds build until there’s enough to negotiate with creditors.
- Certified debt specialists. Every specialist is IAPDA-certified, meaning they’re trained specifically in debt relief and negotiation.
- Multiple accreditations. ClearOne holds accreditation from both the BBB (A+) and the ACDR, giving clients some third-party assurance of its business practices.
Where ClearOne Advantage falls short
- Fees aren’t listed online. ClearOne doesn’t publish its fee percentage on its website. You have to call or request a free analysis to find out what you’d owe, which makes comparison shopping harder upfront.
- Credit score impact. Like all debt settlement programs, enrolling means you’ll stop making payments to creditors, which will hurt your credit score. Delinquencies and settled accounts can stay on your credit report for up to seven years.
- Not available everywhere. ClearOne’s program isn’t available in all states. Check their state-specific page to confirm your eligibility.
- Minimum debt required. You’ll need at least $10,000 in qualifying unsecured debt to enroll. Individual accounts must have a balance of at least $450 to be added to the program.
How much can I save?
ClearOne’s website states that monthly payments through their program are typically up to 40% lower than what clients are currently paying. The actual savings on your total debt depends on how much you owe, which creditors you’re dealing with and how quickly your dedicated savings account builds up enough funds to make settlement offers.
ClearOne doesn’t publish company-specific success rates or average settlement amounts on its website. For a personalized savings estimate, you can start with their free online calculator or call to speak with a specialist.
How much does it cost?
There are no upfront fees with ClearOne Advantage. Once a settlement is arranged and you approve it, ClearOne’s fee is calculated as a percentage of your enrolled debt. The exact fee percentage is not disclosed on ClearOne’s website — the company states that fees vary and encourages you to call 888-335-0896 for full program details.
Note: Some third-party fees may also apply, including a monthly fee for the FDIC-insured savings account. Ask about these during your free consultation.
Will ClearOne Advantage hurt my credit?
Yes, and ClearOne is upfront about it. When you enroll, you stop making payments to your creditors so that accounts fall behind enough that creditors are willing to negotiate. This causes your credit score to drop, and delinquencies can remain on your credit report for up to seven years.
That said, ClearOne notes on their website that the impact is typically not as severe or long-lasting as bankruptcy, which stays on your credit report for seven to ten years. Many clients are able to rebuild their credit over time after completing the program.
ClearOne Advantage details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free quote or consultation | Yes |
| Services | Debt settlement for unsecured debt |
| Minimum debt | $10,000 |
| Average turnaround | 40–50 months (first settlement: 60–120 days) |
| Fees | Not listed; contact ClearOne for details |
| Types of debt | Unsecured debt: credit cards, personal loans, eligible medical bills |
| Accreditations | ACDR, BBB, IAPDA-certified specialists |
| Direct or third-party negotiations | Direct |
| State availability | Not available in all states; visit clearoneadvantage.com/debt-relief-by-state |
Must read: Before you sign up with a debt relief company
Debt relief companies typically charge a percentage of a customer’s debt or a monthly program fee for their services. And not all companies are transparent about these costs or drawbacks that can negatively affect your credit score. Depending on the company you work with, you might pay other fees for setting up new accounts or third-party settlement services, which can leave you in a worse situation than when you signed up.
Consider alternatives before signing up with a debt relief company:
- Payment extensions. Companies you owe may be willing to extend your payment due date or put you on a longer payment plan.
- Nonprofit credit counseling. Look for free debt-management help from nonprofit organizations like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
- Debt settlement. If you can pay a portion of the bill, offer the collection agency a one-time payment as a settlement. Collection agencies are often willing to accept a lower payment on your debt to close the account.
ClearOne Advantage contact info
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| Enrollment phone | 888-335-0896 |
| Existing client phone | 888-768-4767 |
| Enrollment email | support@ClearOneAdvantage.com |
| Customer service email | customerservice@ClearOneAdvantage.com |
| Phone hours | Mon–Fri, 9am–8pm EST |
| Live chat hours | Mon–Fri 8am–12am EST; Sat 9am–6pm EST |
| facebook.com/Debt.Settlement.Services | |
| linkedin.com/company/clearone-advantage | |
| X (formerly Twitter) | Not listed |
How to qualify for ClearOne Advantage
ClearOne discloses basic eligibility requirements on its website:
- Minimum of $10,000 in qualifying debt
- Debt must be unsecured (credit cards, personal loans, eligible medical bills)
- Individual accounts must have a balance of at least $450 to be added
- Secured debts (like mortgages or car loans) are not eligible
- Not available in all states — check clearoneadvantage.com/debt-relief-by-state
How the debt settlement process works
- Get your custom plan. Start with a free, no-obligation consultation with a Certified Debt Specialist. They’ll review your situation and build a plan around your budget. This typically takes less than 20 minutes.
- Make your first payment. You’ll begin making one monthly payment into your own FDIC-insured savings account. Funds build there until there’s enough to negotiate with creditors.
- Approve your settlements. When your account balance is sufficient, ClearOne negotiates with your creditors. You review and approve every offer before anything is finalized.
- Graduate and move forward. Once your final settlement is complete, you’re free from your enrolled debts.
How ClearOne Advantage compares to other lenders
Compare other products
We currently don't have that product, but here are others to consider:
How we picked theseWhat is the Finder Score?
The Finder Score crunches 6+ types of personal loans across 50+ lenders. It takes into account the product's interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate - this gives you a simple score out of 10.
ClearOne Advantage reviews and complaints
| BBB accredited | Yes |
|---|---|
| BBB rating | A+ |
| BBB customer reviews | 4.32 out of 5 stars, based on 604 customer reviews |
| Trustpilot Score | 4.8 out of 5 stars, based on 10,600 customer reviews. |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 06 May 2026 |
On Trustpilot, ClearOne receives consistently strong ratings. Reviewers frequently praise knowledgeable and empathetic specialists, a smooth enrollment process and feeling genuinely supported throughout the program. Several reviewers describe successfully completing their debt programs ahead of schedule.
Negative reviews on the BBB and other platforms tend to focus on communication issues after enrollment, including difficulty reaching someone by phone, confusion around fee timing and concerns about credit impact. ClearOne typically responds to complaints directly and, in some cases, has issued courtesy refunds.
What do people on Reddit say?
Some users report successfully settling accounts and feeling the program was worth it; others say they felt the fees outweighed the savings or had trouble getting refunds after canceling. A recurring suggestion across threads, explore nonprofit credit counseling or bankruptcy as alternatives before committing.
Risks to debt settlement
Before enrolling, make sure you understand what debt settlement actually involves:
- Credit score damage. Missed payments will appear as delinquencies and stay on your credit report for up to seven years.
- Tax implications. Forgiven debt may be considered taxable income by the IRS. You may receive a Form 1099-C.
- No guarantee of success. Creditors aren’t required to negotiate, and some may increase collection efforts or pursue legal action.
- Ongoing interest and fees. Until a settlement is reached, creditors will continue to add interest and late fees to your balance.
- Program fees. You’ll owe ClearOne a fee for each settled account — even if the overall savings feel modest after fees are applied.
Frequently asked questions
Your reviews
Megan B. Finder
Editor, Loans & Insurance
Hi there, looking for more information? Ask us a question.
You are about to post a question on finder.com:
- Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
- finder.com is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
- We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
- Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked
Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our finder.com Terms of Use and Privacy and Cookies Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.