InCharge Debt Solutions Review (2026)
- Minimum debt
- Not disclosed
- Typical turnaround
- 3–5 years
- Fees
- Setup fee averages $52 (max $99); monthly fee averages $34
Our verdict
A well-accredited nonprofit with low DMP fees — but limited to unsecured debt and closed credit cards required.
InCharge Debt Solutions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit credit counselor operating since 1997, offering a free initial counseling session and a debt management plan (DMP) that consolidates unsecured debt into one monthly payment. It targets interest rates around 8%, well below typical credit card rates, with an average monthly fee of $34 and a one-time setup fee averaging $52. No credit score is required to enroll, but the program only covers unsecured debts like credit cards and personal loans, other loans mortgages, auto loans and student loans are excluded. You'll also need to close your credit cards when you join.
Best for: People with high-interest credit card debt who want a structured, no-loan repayment plan.
Pros
-
Free initial credit counseling session
-
DMP interest rates reduced to around 8%
-
No credit score required to enroll
Cons
-
Must close credit cards upon enrollment
-
Doesn't cover mortgages, auto loans or student loans
-
Not all creditors accept DMP terms
Key takeaways
- InCharge Debt Solutions is a highly credentialed nonprofit with an A+ BBB rating, NFCC membership and COA accreditation — it has helped over one million people repay more than $3.4 billion in debt since 1997.
- The debt management plan reduces credit card interest rates to an average of 8.4% — compared to the 20% to 30% most enrollees are paying — with a free initial counseling session and no credit score requirement to qualify.
- Enrolling requires closing your credit card accounts, which may temporarily lower your credit score, and the program runs three to five years — missing a single payment can cancel the plan.
Is InCharge Debt Solutions legit?
InCharge Debt Solutions is about as credentialed as a nonprofit debt relief agency gets. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Orlando, Florida (5750 Major Blvd, Suite 300), it has a physical office, a public address and a long track record — the organization says it has helped over one million people repay more than $3.4 billion in debt.
On the accreditation side, InCharge holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and 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 is authorized by the Executive Office for United States Trustees (EOUST) to issue bankruptcy counseling certificates.
The organization has won the NBRI “Circle of Excellence” award three years in a row for customer satisfaction and has been named to the Orlando Sentinel’s “Top 100: Companies for Working Families” eight years running. No major BBB alerts or lawsuits appear on InCharge’s official website.
What makes InCharge Debt Solutions shine?
InCharge’s standout strengths center on low costs, strong nonprofit credentials and a genuinely broad suite of services.
- Free initial counseling. The first credit counseling session is free, lasts 25 to 40 minutes, and can be done by phone or online. There’s no obligation to enroll in any program afterward.
- Dramatically reduced interest rates. Through its debt management plan, InCharge works with creditors to lower interest rates to approximately 8% — sometimes as low as 0% — compared to the 20% to 30% most cardholders in trouble typically pay.
- No credit score required. Unlike debt consolidation loans, your credit score is not a factor in qualifying for a DMP. This is a meaningful entry point for people who can’t access traditional credit products.
- Broad counseling services. Beyond DMPs, InCharge offers housing counseling, bankruptcy education, student loan counseling and specialized support for military service members and veterans — all under one roof.
- Online account management. Enrolled clients can track payments and balances 24/7 through an online portal.
Where InCharge Debt Solutions falls short
InCharge is a strong option for credit card debt specifically, but it has real limitations worth understanding before you sign up.
- Unsecured debt only. The DMP cannot include mortgages, auto loans, student loans, or tax debts. If those make up a large part of what you owe, a DMP alone won’t solve the full picture.
- You must close your credit cards. Creditors require card accounts to be closed when you enroll. This can temporarily reduce your credit score and means you won’t have access to revolving credit for the three to five years the program takes.
- Not all creditors participate. Some smaller banks, store cards and gas station card providers may not accept InCharge’s proposed reduced interest rates.
- Program length. Repayment typically takes three to five years. That’s by design — it keeps payments affordable — but it’s a long commitment.
- Missing a payment can cancel the plan. If you miss a payment, your debt management plan may be canceled, potentially losing the negotiated rate reductions you’ve earned.
How much can I save?
The primary savings on an InCharge DMP come from interest rate reductions. InCharge states its average DMP credit card interest rate is 8.4%, compared to the 20% to 30% range most people are paying when they enroll. That difference can substantially shrink both your monthly payment and the total amount you pay over time.
InCharge’s website cites a study from Ohio State University finding that people who received credit counseling reduced their credit card debt by nearly $6,000 in the first 18 months, compared to $3,600 for those who didn’t. Individual savings will depend on your total debt, your starting interest rates and how consistently you make payments throughout the program.
How much does it cost?
InCharge charges two fees for its debt management plan. There’s a one-time setup fee that averages $52 (with a maximum of $99 per the website), and a monthly service fee that averages $34. Both fees vary depending on your state and the size of your debt.
As an example: if you owe $15,000 across several credit cards and enroll in a 48-month DMP, you’d pay roughly $52 upfront and around $1,632 in total monthly fees over the life of the program — far less than the interest that would accumulate at a standard 22% APR over the same period. The initial credit counseling session is always free.
Will InCharge Debt Solutions hurt my credit?
Enrolling in a DMP through InCharge has some effect on your credit, but it’s more nuanced than a simple yes or no. InCharge itself does not report DMP participation to the credit bureaus, though individual creditors may. When you close your credit cards at enrollment — which creditors require — your credit utilization ratio shifts and your score may initially dip.
The good news is that consistent, on-time payments are the single biggest factor in credit scoring. InCharge’s website states that after roughly six to eight months of on-time payments, most clients begin to see their scores improve. Completing the program without taking on new debt sets you up for significantly better credit standing than when you started.
InCharge Debt Solutions details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free quote or consultation | Yes — free initial counseling session |
| Services | Credit counseling, debt management plans (DMP), credit card debt forgiveness, housing counseling, bankruptcy education, student loan counseling, military/veteran debt relief |
| Minimum debt | Not disclosed |
| Average turnaround | 3–5 years |
| Fees | Setup fee averages $52 (max $99); monthly fee averages $34 |
| Types of debt | Unsecured debt only (credit cards, personal loans, medical bills) |
| Accreditations | BBB A+, NFCC member, COA accredited, HUD-approved, EOUST-approved |
| Direct or third-party negotiations | Direct — InCharge negotiates directly with your creditors |
| State availability | Licensed or registered in AZ, CO, DE, IL, IN, MD, MI, MS, NV, NY, OR, RI, TN, UT, VT, VA. Full availability across all states not listed on site. |
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 the 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.
InCharge Debt Solutions contact info
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone (debt help) | (800) 565-8953 |
| Phone (account questions) | (888) 734-6229 |
| Phone (housing counseling) | (877) 712-6040 |
| Phone (bankruptcy counseling) | (866) 729-0049 |
| Customer service hours (debt help) | Mon–Fri: 9am–10pm ET; Sat: 9am–6pm ET |
| Customer service hours (account help) | Mon–Fri: 8am–6pm ET |
| Not listed (contact form at incharge.org/contact/) | |
| facebook.com/incharge.debt.solutions | |
| X (formerly Twitter) | Not listed |
| Address | 5750 Major Blvd, Suite 300, Orlando, FL 32819 |
How to qualify for InCharge Debt Solutions
InCharge discloses only basic eligibility requirements for its debt management program. There is no credit score minimum, which makes the DMP accessible to a wide range of people:
- Unsecured debt (credit cards, personal loans, or medical bills) you’re struggling to repay at current interest rates
- Steady enough income to make fixed monthly payments
- Willingness to close credit card accounts upon enrollment
- US-based debt only — InCharge states it does not provide financial services for debt outside the US
- State eligibility may vary
If you’re unsure where you stand, you can check your credit report for free at annualcreditreport.com before reaching out.
How the debt management plan process works
- Free counseling session. Call or apply online for a free 25 to 40 minute session with a certified credit counselor. They’ll review your income, expenses and debts to determine whether a DMP — or another option — is the right fit.
- Plan setup. If a DMP makes sense for your situation, InCharge contacts your creditors to negotiate reduced interest rates and waive certain fees. A personalized monthly payment is calculated based on your budget.
- Single monthly payment. You make one fixed payment to InCharge each month. InCharge distributes the funds to each enrolled creditor in agreed-upon amounts.
- Debt payoff. The program typically runs three to five years. With lower interest rates and consistent payments, you pay off the enrolled balances and exit the program debt-free on those accounts.
How InCharge Debt Solutions compares to other providers
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InCharge Debt Solutions reviews and complaints
| BBB accredited | Yes |
|---|---|
| BBB rating | A+ |
| BBB customer reviews | 4.29 out of 5 stars, based on 38 customer reviews |
| Trustpilot Score | 4.6 out of 5 stars, based on 2,256 customer reviews. |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 18 May 2026 |
InCharge scores well across both major review platforms, and the volume on Trustpilot — over 2,200 reviews — gives those numbers real weight. The organization also claims a 97% customer satisfaction rating on its own site.
Positive reviews tend to highlight patient, knowledgeable counselors and the relief of having one manageable monthly payment. The most common complaints involve frustration that balances aren’t shrinking as fast as expected — a predictable DMP friction point, since interest keeps accruing until creditors formally accept the reduced rate. InCharge appears to respond actively to negative reviews, which is a decent sign they take complaints seriously.
What do people on Reddit say?
InCharge Debt Solutions comes up occasionally in personal finance subreddits, generally within discussions about nonprofit credit counseling. Sentiment is cautiously positive — users tend to recommend nonprofit agencies over for-profit debt settlement companies, particularly for people with credit card debt and steady income who can’t get ahead of high interest rates.
Some commenters suggest running the numbers on total fees versus interest savings before committing to the program’s multi-year timeline.
Risks to using a debt management plan
While InCharge’s debt management plan is one of the lower-risk debt relief options available, it’s worth understanding the tradeoffs before enrolling:
- Your credit score may drop initially when credit card accounts are closed at enrollment
- Interest and fees continue to accrue until creditors formally accept the DMP terms, which can take a billing cycle or two
- Not all creditors will participate, meaning some debts may remain outside the plan
- Missing a payment can cancel the program, potentially losing negotiated rate reductions
- Success requires three to five years of commitment — living without new credit cards for the duration
- Not suitable for all debt types — secured debts like mortgages and car loans are excluded entirely
Frequently asked questions
Your reviews
Megan B. Finder
Editor, Loans & Insurance
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