It depends on what you're requesting a refund for and the terms of your contract, but you often have more options than you think.
Money in your dedicated savings account: This money is unambiguously yours. The dedicated account (held by a third-party custodian) is your property. When you cancel a settlement program, the full balance of the savings account (minus any fees legitimately earned for completed settlements) must be returned to you. If the company or the account custodian refuses to release your funds, that's a violation of both FTC rules and likely your state's consumer protection laws.
Fees on debts that were never settled: Under the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule, settlement companies cannot charge fees until they've actually settled a debt and you've agreed to the settlement terms. If a company charged you fees for debts that were never settled, those fees were collected in violation of federal law and you're entitled to a refund. Some companies structure their fees to comply technically (charging proportionally only after settlements), but others front-load fees in ways that violate the rule.
Fees for completed settlements: If the company successfully negotiated one or more settlements that you approved and paid, the fees on those specific debts are generally earned and non-refundable. This is the legitimate way settlement companies make money.
How to pursue a refund:
Start with a written request to the company. Cite your contract's cancellation terms and the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule. Specify which fees you believe were improperly charged and the refund amount you're requesting. Send via certified mail.
If the company doesn't respond or refuses, file complaints with: the FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov), the CFPB (consumerfinance.gov), your state Attorney General, and the BBB. Regulatory complaints sometimes prompt companies to issue refunds to avoid larger enforcement actions.
Contact your state's consumer protection office. Some states have specific debt relief company regulations that provide additional refund rights beyond federal law.
Consult a consumer attorney. If the company collected substantial illegal fees (common in scam operations), an attorney may take your case on contingency and pursue damages beyond just the refund amount. FDCPA and state consumer protection violations can include statutory damages and attorney's fees.
If the company has closed: If the company is out of business, your options are more limited. Check if there's a class action lawsuit or regulatory action against them. The FTC sometimes establishes restitution funds for victims of enforcement actions. Contact the third-party account custodian directly for your savings account balance.
Act quickly. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to recover fees, especially if the company is in financial trouble.