Yes, National Debt Relief is a legitimate debt settlement company. They're accredited by the American Association for Debt Resolution (formerly the American Fair Credit Council), they have an A+ BBB rating, and they've been in business since 2009. They've settled over $1 billion in consumer debt according to their public disclosures.
But "legitimate" and "right for you" are two different questions.
National Debt Relief charges fees of 15% to 25% of your enrolled debt, which is standard for the industry. They don't charge upfront fees, which is required by the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule. Any settlement company that asks for money before settling a debt is breaking federal law. So that's not a perk of National Debt Relief specifically. That's just compliance.
What they do well: Their program typically runs 24 to 48 months. They have a solid track record of negotiating settlements in the 40% to 50% range for credit card debt. Their customer reviews are generally positive (4.58 out of 5 on Trustpilot as of early 2025), and they offer a money-back guarantee if they can't settle a debt within the program timeline.
What to watch for: Like all settlement companies, they require you to stop paying your creditors. That means your credit score will drop significantly. You may get collection calls. And there's always a risk that a creditor sues you before a settlement is reached. National Debt Relief does have a legal network to help if that happens, but a lawsuit is still a real possibility.
They also require a minimum of $7,500 in qualifying unsecured debt to enroll. Not all debt types qualify. Secured debts like auto loans and mortgages, federal student loans, and tax debt are excluded.
Before you sign up: Talk to a nonprofit credit counselor first (NFCC member agencies offer free consultations). A debt management plan through a nonprofit might cost you less overall and won't destroy your credit. Settlement makes the most sense when you truly can't afford to repay the full amount and the alternative is bankruptcy.