When you search for debt consolidation and personal loans online, ClearOne Advantage and Credit Associates are two of the most popular companies. We decided to compare ClearOne Advantage vs Credit Associates to determine their similarities and differences.
Finding the right debt relief company can be challenging, especially when you’re dealing with debt. Two debt relief companies that have gained popularity in recent years are ClearOne Advantage and Credit Associates. Both offer debt relief services, but which one is more suitable for you? In this article, we’ll compare ClearOne Advantage and Credit Associates, pointing out their pros and cons and answering some of the most common questions about them so you can make an informed choice.

ClearOne Advantage vs Credit Associates Pros And Cons
ClearOne Advantage:
ClearOne Advantage is a debt relief company that provides debt settlement services to its clients. It was founded in 2008 and is based in Maryland, USA. ClearOne Advantage helps individuals and families to negotiate and settle their unsecured debts with creditors, such as credit card companies, medical bills, personal loans, and more.
Pros of ClearOne Advantage:

- Free Consultation: ClearOne Advantage offers a free consultation to its clients. During this consultation, they review your debt and help you understand the best debt relief options for your specific situation.
- Experienced Team: The team at ClearOne Advantage has years of experience in debt relief and settlement. They work closely with creditors to negotiate the best possible settlement for their clients.
- No Upfront Fees: ClearOne Advantage does not charge any upfront fees to its clients. They only charge a fee once they have successfully settled your debts.
- Many Services: ClearOne Advantage not only provides debt settlement services. They also offer other debt-relief options such as debt consolidation or credit counseling.
Cons of ClearOne Advantage:
- Limited Services: ClearOne Advantage only provides debt settlement services. They do not offer other debt-relief options such as debt consolidation or credit counseling.
- No Guarantees: ClearOne Advantage does not guarantee that they will be able to settle your debts. It all depends on your specific situation and the negotiations with your creditors.
- Potentially Harmful to Credit Score: Debt settlement can have a negative impact on your credit score. It may take some time for your credit score to recover after settling your debts.
Credit Associates:
Credit Associates is a debt relief company that offers debt settlement services to its clients. It was founded in 2000 and is based in Texas, USA. Credit Associates helps individuals and families to negotiate and settle their unsecured debts with creditors, such as credit card companies, medical bills, personal loans, and more.
Pros of Credit Associates:
- Personalized Services: Credit Associates provides personalized debt relief services to its clients. They work closely with their clients to understand their specific situations and provide the best possible debt relief options.
- High Success Rates: Credit Associates has a high success rate when it comes to settling debts. They have helped thousands of clients to become debt-free.
- No Upfront Fees: Credit Associates does not charge any upfront fees to its clients. They only charge a fee once they have successfully settled your debts.
Cons of Credit Associates:
- Limited Availability: Credit Associates is not available in all states. They only offer their services in a few select states.
- No Guarantees: Credit Associates does not guarantee that they will be able to settle your debts. It all depends on your specific situation and the negotiations with your creditors.
- Potentially Harmful to Credit Score: Debt settlement can have a negative impact on your credit score. It may take some time for your credit score to recover after settling your debts.
What is ClearOne Advantage?
ClearOne Advantage is a debt relief company that helps people who are having trouble paying off unsecured debts like credit card debt, medical bills, and personal loans by negotiating with their creditors. The company aims to help clients become debt-free by negotiating with their creditors to settle their debts for less than what they owe. ClearOne Advantage has been in business since 2008 and has helped thousands of clients reduce their debt.
What is Credit Associates?
Credit Associates is a debt relief company that specializes in debt settlement services. The company works with clients to negotiate with their creditors to settle their debts for less than what they owe. Credit Associates has been in business since 2008 and has helped thousands of clients become debt-free. The company offers customized services to help people get out of debt, and each client is given a debt specialist to help them through the debt settlement process.
How do debt relief companies like ClearOne Advantage and Credit Associates work?
Debt relief companies like ClearOne Advantage and Credit Associates work by negotiating with clients’ creditors to settle their debts for less than what they owe. Clients typically make monthly payments into a dedicated account, and the debt relief company uses those funds to negotiate with their creditors. Once a settlement is reached, the client’s debt is considered paid in full, and they are no longer responsible for the remaining balance.
What are the pros and cons of debt settlement?
Debt settlement can be a viable option for consumers struggling with high levels of unsecured debt, such as credit card debt, medical bills, and personal loans. Here are some of the pros and cons of debt settlement:
Pros:
- Potential debt reduction: Debt settlement can potentially reduce your debt, as creditors may agree to accept a lower payment than what you owe.
- Lower monthly payments: Debt settlement can result in lower monthly payments, which can help make your debt more manageable.
- Avoid bankruptcy: Debt settlement can be an alternative to bankruptcy, which can have serious long-term consequences.
Cons:
- Negative impact on credit score: Debt settlement can have a negative impact on your credit score, as it involves not paying your debts in full. This can make it harder to obtain credit in the future.
- Possibility of being sued: Debt settlement can leave you vulnerable to being sued by your creditors, which can result in wage garnishment and other legal consequences.
- Fees: Debt settlement companies typically charge a percentage of the amount of debt they settle for you, which can add up to thousands of dollars.
- Lengthy process: Debt settlement can be a lengthy process, and it may take several months or even years to settle your debts.
It’s essential to carefully consider the pros and cons of debt settlement before deciding if it’s the right option for you. It’s also important to work with a reputable debt relief company and to fully understand the fees and potential consequences of debt settlement.
How can debt settlement affect your credit score?

Debt settlement can have a negative impact on your credit score. When you settle a debt for less than what you owe, your credit report will typically show that the debt was “settled for less than the full amount.” This can signal to lenders that you were not able to pay your debts in full, which can have a negative impact on your credit score.
In addition, late payments and missed payments that may have occurred prior to settling the debt can also negatively impact your credit score. These negative marks can remain on your credit report for up to seven years, which can make it harder to obtain credit in the future.
It’s important to note that the impact of debt settlement on your credit score can vary depending on your specific situation. If you are already behind on payments and have a lot of debt, settling your debts may actually help improve your credit score over time, as it can reduce your debt-to-income ratio and make your debt more manageable. However, if you have a good credit score and are current on your payments, settling your debts may have a more significant negative impact on your credit score.
What are the fees associated with debt settlement services?
Debt settlement companies typically charge fees for their services. These fees can vary depending on the company and the amount of debt you have. Here are some of the fees associated with debt settlement services:
- Set-up fees: Debt settlement companies may charge a set-up fee to begin working with you. This fee can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
- Monthly fees: Debt settlement companies may also charge a monthly fee for their services. This fee can range from $25 to $50 or more per month.
- Percentage of debt: Debt settlement companies typically charge a percentage of the amount of debt they settle for you. This fee can range from 15% to 25% or more of the total amount of debt.
It’s important to carefully read the contract and understand the fees associated with debt settlement services before signing up with a debt settlement company. Make sure you understand how the fees will be charged and how much you will be expected to pay over the course of the debt settlement process. It’s also important to work with a reputable debt settlement company that fully discloses its fees and has a clear track record of helping consumers settle their debts.
What states are Credit Associates available in?
Credit Associates is not available in all 50 states.
Is debt settlement right for me?
Whether debt settlement is the right choice for you depends on your individual financial situation. Debt settlement can be a viable option for individuals who are struggling with high levels of unsecured debt, such as credit card debt, medical bills, and personal loans, and who are unable to keep up with their monthly payments.
Before deciding if debt settlement is right for you, it’s important to consider the following factors:
- Your ability to pay: Debt settlement may be a good option if you are unable to keep up with your monthly payments and are facing financial hardship.
- The amount of debt you owe: Debt settlement typically works best for individuals with high levels of unsecured debt, such as credit card debt, medical bills, and personal loans.
- Your willingness to negotiate with creditors: Debt settlement requires negotiating with your creditors to settle your debts for less than what you owe. If you are uncomfortable negotiating with creditors or are not willing to do so, debt settlement may not be the right option for you.
- The potential impact on your credit score: Debt settlement can have a negative impact on your credit score, as it involves not paying your debts in full. If you have a good credit score and are current on your payments, debt settlement may not be the right choice for you.
It’s important to fully consider your options and to consult with a financial advisor or debt relief company before deciding if debt settlement is right for you. A reputable debt relief company can help you assess your financial situation and determine if debt settlement is the right choice for you.
How long does it take to settle debts with a debt relief company?
The amount of time it takes to settle debts with a debt relief company can vary depending on several factors, including the amount of debt you have, the number of creditors you owe, and the terms of your settlement agreements. In general, debt settlement can take anywhere from several months to a few years to complete.
During the debt settlement process, the debt relief company will work with your creditors to negotiate a settlement agreement on your behalf. This process can take time, as the debt relief company will need to negotiate with each creditor separately to reach a settlement agreement that is acceptable to both you and the creditor.
Once a settlement agreement has been reached, you will typically need to make a lump-sum payment to the creditor to settle the debt. This payment may be made directly to the creditor or through the debt relief company. The amount of the lump-sum payment will depend on the terms of the settlement agreement.
After the debt has been settled, it may take some time for your credit report to reflect the settlement. Typically, settled debts will remain on your credit report for up to seven years, but they will be marked as “settled” rather than “unpaid.”
Overall, the time it takes to settle your debts will depend on your individual situation and the terms of your settlement agreements. It’s important to work with a reputable debt relief company that can help you navigate the debt settlement process and achieve a successful outcome.
FAQs:
What is the difference between debt consolidation and debt settlement?
Debt consolidation involves taking out a loan to pay off your existing debts, while debt settlement involves negotiating with your creditors to settle your debts for less than what you owe.
Can I settle my debts on my own without a debt relief company?
Yes, you can negotiate with your creditors on your own to settle your debts. But negotiating with creditors can be hard, and it might help to have a debt relief company on your side to help you through the process.
Conclusion:
When picking a debt relief company, it’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each choice. ClearOne Advantage and Credit Associates are two reputable debt relief companies that offer debt settlement services to their clients. Both companies have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice ultimately comes down to your specific needs and preferences.
If you’re looking for personalized debt relief services and have a high success rate, Credit Associates may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a debt relief company with years of experience and a free consultation, ClearOne Advantage may be a better fit.
In any case, it’s crucial to do your research and consult with a debt relief company to understand the best debt relief options for your specific situation. By working with a reputable debt relief company, you can take control of your finances and become debt-free.