Guardian Debt Relief

4.0 (48 Reviews)

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Guardian Debt Relief is a top consumer-rated provider of debt settlement services, based in the heart of the Financial District in New York City.

We provide an alternative to bankruptcy, credit counseling, and debt management. Through debt settlement, we have improved the financial situation of thousands of clients just like you.

If you’re barely making ends meet because of outstanding debt, we’re here to help. Whether you’ve found yourself unemployed or underemployed, are already being hounded by creditors, have had a medical emergency, or you can only make minimum payments on your outstanding debts, we’ll work with you to figure out your best options.

We’ve helped thousands of people regain control of their finances and their lives and we can help you too!

Reviews 48

4.0

Out of 5.0

Erik Radbill

Dec 14,2024

I wish I saw these reviews before I signed up. I owed 36k total in 12 accounts. Signed up for 4 year plan at 600+ a month. After two years and not one missed payment, my credit score hadn't moved from 521. Also, they called multiple times to ask for more money. Bc it takes them so long to negotiate, I've been sued by two of the creditors. Last week my wife and I refinanced our mortgage in part to pay off the remaining 2 years of the program. They quoted me 17k+ which they said was 65% of the remaining debt and I paid it in full! They literally just called me today to ask for more money. I've given them over 32k the last 2 years for 36k of debt, being sued twice and they now want more money. I'm on crazy pills, literally the worst company I ever worked with, I feel completely scammed!

Paxan X

Dec 01,2024

Beware of Guardian's Predatory Practices - My Experience with Their "Debt Consolidation Program" I want to share my experience with Guardian's "debt consolidation program" to warn others. My financial situation was dire when I first engaged with them—I had approximately $100,000 in debt and was behind on payments for several months. Here's what unfolded: Sales Tactics Guardian's sales team claimed their long-standing relationships with creditors would allow them to negotiate settlements for "approximately 50%" of my debt. I requested the contract for review, but they insisted I sign it over the phone. This is a high-pressure sales tactic, and I regret falling for it. The contract included their hefty 27% "performance fee"—a detail I overlooked in my rush to avoid further arrears. Results of Their Service 1. Initial Settlement: The first debt they settled was for 60% of the amount owed. After their 27% fee, I saved only about 10%. Still, I remained optimistic, thinking it might improve over time. 2. Lawsuits and Lack of Action: Despite claiming to represent clients in lawsuits, Guardian requires same-day submission of court documents. This is nearly impossible given their 3-4 business day processing time. Two of my creditors sued me. Guardian failed to engage with these creditors before legal action, which is the best time to negotiate. One debt of $26,000 was settled for $24,900 (a 90% settlement), yet they still charged their 27% performance fee. Another debt of $22,000 was settled for 86%, again with their full fee applied. I ended up paying more than my original debt. 3. Unsettled Debts: After a year, Guardian has only addressed 3 out of my 10 debts. My credit score continues to suffer due to ongoing late payment reports. 4. Independent Action: I personally negotiated with one creditor, settling $28,000 for $18,000 over 3 years. Guardian had not contacted this creditor in over a year. When I informed Guardian, they used scare tactics to dissuade me, claiming my agreement might lead to legal action. Hidden Fees Guardian adds additional charges, including: $11/month to hold your money. $12/month per disbursement to creditors. Over a year, these fees amounted to $500. Combined with their high performance fee, these charges feel exploitative. Key Issues Guardian fails to negotiate proactively, often waiting until lawsuits occur. Settlements are far from the promised 50%, with some reaching 90%. The 27% performance fee negates any savings and can leave you paying 120% or more of your original debt. Their practices further damage credit scores by delaying contact with creditors. Conclusion Guardian’s program is not debt consolidation. Their tactics prolong financial strain, worsen credit scores, and exploit vulnerable individuals trying to avoid bankruptcy. I successfully negotiated better terms independently and without paying their exorbitant fees. I urge others to explore alternatives and avoid this.

Kristin

Oct 09,2024

Run as fast as you can away from this company. I gave them about 4500$ so far, my credit was not even bad when I started, I ran into some issues and knew the following month I was not going to be able to make the payments on my cards so I called them( my mistake) they waited 4 months to make a payment on one account and never even contacted the other accounts. Still have not contacted them to this day and it's been a year. The settled on one account for 1100 and paid 700 on another 1800 right? Where is the other money you ask? In their pocket and when I asked to cancel the program because now my credit is wrecked and no progress on any for the cards or my credit they are still saying I owe them 1200 for their services and won't cancel the payments. The biggest scam I ever seen in my life. They told me they get 27% of what ever settlement they make. Thats as much as the interest on the cards. Even with that math it still makes no sense as to where the other 3200 went. 364 a month for 12 months 4300$ -1100 for one settlement and 700 for another 1800 right. So where is the other 2500$ plus want an additional 1000 to cancel. Without even paying off the other settlement. Run this is a scam.... Edit supervisor did call me back and took care of things so I added a star. Hope things are resolved. When she explained things to me the original person I spoke to last year mis informed me of everything.

Kathleen

May 14,2024

I sent Guardian over $10,000.00 last November to pay off all my accounts I had sent to them. I came into some money and wanted everything paid off. There has been only one or two that have been paid and nothing has been paid on the others. I even paid one off myself. This is ridiculous. What is happening with the money I sent. BEWARE! DON'T EVEN CONSIDER USING GUARDIAN.

DOUGLAS JACKSON

Apr 18,2024

Guardian is a rip off. If you haven’t tried their service, please don’t. They charge excessive fees and pay your creditors basically nothing on your accounts. The excessive fees that Guardian charges could be applied to your creditors accounts. I deposited over $3000 in an account with Forth. Guardian paid less than $1,400 on my accounts and charged me over $1,600 for fees. Again, a total rip off.

david Booth

Jul 16,2023

Been at this process with guardian litigation for 7 months. They did settle one account but that's all. Yesterday they called offering me a loan to pay off the others. Now I'm suspicious of the entire process. I'm really doubting the wisdom of letting my credit rating go through the toilet and trusting these people. Not real happy right now

PJN

Dec 03,2022

I was told that my debts were going to be negotiated in my behalf instead of paying. I was told NOT to pay my creditors. I was told my credit score would jump 80+ points after they negotiated settlements within 6 months and my monthly new low monthly payment would continue for 4 years. They only negotiated 1 settlement and my 'end loan' for the lower payment was denied. THEY LIE. THEY MISLEAD. THEY DO NOT DELIVER! They killed my credit!!!

Anne NJ

Feb 08,2022

As others have stated BEWARE!!!! They called me every month and told me they were handling. I had delinquent notices that I sent to them, they continued not to pay any accounts. I was sued and sent them paperwork! Yup DEFAULT judgement meaning no reply. I have one charged off. My credit worse than UGLY. They do not help your situation!

Carlos Angulo

Oct 29,2021

The process was fairly simple, Orlando was super friendly and knowledgeable and helped me through the entire process. I would recommend this service to anyone! C, from Nashville, TN

George Wallace

Jan 18,2021

The gentleman I spoke with was polite and helpful. He better explained the process and payment negotiations.

Samantha Hood

Feb 23,2017

I ADVISE ANYONE FROM GETTING IN THIS PROGRAM!!! My husband & I joined last March and he was just SUED from a loan place for no payments!!! his case was at a freaking LAW OFFICE. Tamara is the customer service person who you will deal with and when she is taking your money she is so nice, but anytime you have concerns or want to take certain accounts out of your account with them, they are terrible and make you feel like crap when it is THEIR fault nothing is being paid. SINCE JOINING.- we had THREE charge offs. What was the point of us joining??? Three charge offs. For those wondering - it was with Bank of America, Capitol One, and Discover. Three very well known banks/creditors that Guardian advertises as some of their best 'clients.' Also, when you want to call any of your accounts that are in Guardian, they can't talk to you because of a cease and desist from Guardian. It was the worst decision we could have gotten in and we are just now back on our feet. We have had to pay over 1,000$ to each creditor just to CATCH UP!! If I could've left 0 stars I would have. This place needs to be shut down and SUED.

Lorenzo Lanzetta

Oct 12,2016

Guardian helped me relive my debt, now theirs no more weight on my shoulders.

William Gilliom

Oct 11,2016

Guardians staff was extremely helpful. They helped me settle all of my debt.

Katherine Yarsin

Oct 09,2016

Guardian helped me relive my debt, now theirs no more weight on my shoulders.

Vassilios

Jul 30,2016

The company helped me recover from my debt. They were courteous and professional from the very beginning.

Becky Lensing Brown

May 21,2016

I looked into the company when I saw an ad on Facebook. I'm not ready to start doing anything. They kept calling texting and emailing me. I asked them to stop and they became very rude. I will not be using them in the future.

LIWAYWAY NAVERA-VIANA

Nov 16,2015

Guardian Debt Relief gave us peace of mind. We had sleepless nghts before but with the help of Guardian we are able now to manage positively our finances. The people behind it are really helpful and caring. Ms. Basima and Mr Felix helped us a lot. May your tribe increase. More power to Guardian.