Ask for evidence in six folders
Use the same evidence request for each candidate. Mark every answer as documented, verbally stated, missing or not applicable. A blank is useful information; it should not be converted into a made-up score.
| Folder | Evidence to request or verify |
|---|---|
| Identity and authority | Legal entity, trade names, owner, office, relevant state license and professional registration |
| Service and alternatives | Work performed, included debts, excluded work, suitability review and alternatives considered |
| Price and exit | Complete fee formula, event that allows the fee to be charged, account fees, cancellation and refunds |
| Money and consent | Who holds funds, withdrawal rights, payment approvals and permission to bind you |
| Results | Population, dates, completion, unresolved debts, fees and the definition of savings |
| Complaints and response | Regulator records, issue patterns, company responses and final dispositions where available |
State registration and nonprofit status are not guarantees of quality. Attorney involvement is not the same as representation in your lawsuit. Verify the specific role and jurisdiction.
Test the claim, not the confidence of the salesperson
“We save clients half their debt.”
Half of what starting balance? Before or after fees? Does the group include people who dropped out and debts never settled? Ask for the underlying method and a dated report. A percentage based only on completed settlements cannot describe everyone who enrolled.
“We are government approved.”
Which agency approved which activity, and where can it be checked independently? A logo, business filing or directory appearance does not establish endorsement. The FTC impersonation rule prohibits specified material false government or business affiliation claims.
“You qualify today.”
Ask what account, cash-flow and legal-risk review occurred. A lead form is not proof that creditors will participate or that a payment will remain affordable.
Compare the complete offer in writing
For covered telemarketed for-profit debt-relief services, the FTC guide explains that a fee requires a qualifying result, the customer’s agreement and at least one payment under the negotiated agreement. The rule’s scope matters; do not apply one federal fee rule to every legal, tax or counseling service.
Compare cost and the unfinished-program result
Write the total expected outlay as creditor payments plus provider fees plus account charges, with taxes and unresolved balances identified separately. Ask what happens if only one debt is resolved and you leave. Compare this with direct hardship, nonprofit counseling, refinancing where appropriate and a bankruptcy consultation when affordability is the real problem.
Reject guarantees of universal creditor participation, lawsuit prevention or exact credit outcomes. Keep the comparison and unresolved questions. A useful decision can be to seek another option when the evidence does not support the offer; this page does not rank or match providers.
When an answer is missing, write the exact gap beside the offer: “fee on partial completion unclear” is more actionable than “seems expensive.” Ask the candidate to resolve it in the contract. If the answer changes, keep both versions and compare the final written promise before deciding.
Sources and further reading
General educational information. The original evidence, dates and recorded qualifications are available in the optional archive below.