The Debt Free First Responder Reviews: 3 Things to Know
Written by Dylan Kamalay
Updated Mar 28th, 2025
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or financial advice.
Are you a first responder that is looking into working with The Debt Free First Responder to help alleviate your debt, and were curious about their reviews? In this article we'll look further into The Debt Free First Responder, along with alternate debt relief options to consider!
Who is The Debt Free First Responder?
The Debt Free First Responder is a financial services company that claims to be dedicated to assisting individuals, particularly first responders, in achieving financial independence by managing and reducing their debt.
Source: https://thedebtfreefirstresponder.com/
They offer a range of free financial tools including:
Financial Situation Quiz: To help identify services that could maximize savings on existing debts.
DIY Budget Tool: To assist in creating personalized budgets to enhance financial management.
Debt Free Plan: To provide a customized strategy for debt elimination.
Debt Payoff Calculator: To estimate the time required to become debt-free based on their current situation.
Source: https://thedebtfreefirstresponder.com/
But what do the reviews say?
The Debt Free First Responder Reviews
I could not find any reviews for them on Better Business Bureau or Google, though they do claim to be BBB accredited.
On their survey page, you'll see a badge from the Better Business Bureau at the very bottom.
Before we dive into Bill Doctor, let's take a look at their TrustPilot reviews.
TrustPilot Reviews
On TrustPilot, they have a 4.5 rating out of 5-stars, based on over 25 reviews.
While they don't have many reviews, the majority are positive. However, you'll quickly notice they mainly comment on the great customer service they received - not the program itself.
I could only find one negative review that mentions the reviewer doesn't want to sacrifice their credit to save money. But what is this referring to? More than likely, a debt settlement program.
We’ll get into debt settlement in more detail later, but here’s the gist: When you sign up with a debt consolidation company, they usually tell you to stop paying your credit cards and put that money into a separate escrow account instead. Since you’re no longer making payments, your accounts go delinquent, and your credit score takes a hit. After a while, the company steps in to negotiate with your creditors to lower your payments. The catch? Debt settlement companies don't always do a great job of thoroughly explaining their to their customers, ultimately leaving them feeling misled.
How Does Bill Doctor Fit Into This?
If you check out the 'About' page of The Debt Free Responder's website, you'll see a disclaimer that mentions: "The Debt Free First Responder is owned and operated by Bill Doctor". So, who is Bill Doctor?
Bill Doctor seems to be a marketing site for debt consolidation, but presents itself as a helpful resource for those trying to manage their debt. While a good option for some, debt settlement is not the right fit for everyone across the board, nor is it the only debt relief solution available. We'll break this down more later in the article.
Did you notice on The Debt Free First Responder's homepage that an app called 'SaveWise' is being promoted? What is the SaveWise app?
Source: https://thedebtfreefirstresponder.com/
SaveWise is an app that can be used as no additional cost to you, that aims to help its users with improving their savings and spending habits. You may be wondering, how do you use it?
To get started with using SaveWise, you'll need to install it on your computer. But let's see if we can find it in the app store!
Source: https://app.savewise.ai/download
I tried searching for the SaveWise app in the app store, but it doesn't seem to be available. But, I did find a different app with the exact same name, though it doesn't seem to be linked to Bill Doctor's SaveWise app.
It's unclear at this time if SaveWise is a helpful tool, as there aren't any reviews I can find.
So What Exactly is Debt Settlement?
Debt settlement is when you work with a company to help lower the amount of debt you owe your creditors.
Here's how it works:
You're advised by the debt settlement company to stop making payments to your creditors. This is because once you're behind enough on your payments, the creditors will be more than likely to accept a lower amount.
Instead of paying the creditors directly, you'll deposit that money monthly into a separate savings account. The amount your deposit will depend on the amount of debt you owe and the agreement you made with the debt settlement company.
After your accounts fall delinquent due to lack of payment, you'll notice a drop in your credit score. This is the optimal time for the debt settlement company to then try to negotiate a lower payment with your creditors.
Once you reach an agreement with your creditors, you'll then make payments based on the newly agreed amount.
Unfortunately the sad truth is often individuals that work with debt settlement companies often aren't given a thorough explanation of every step in the process, often leaving them feeling off-guard when they notice a drop in their credit score.
While debt settlement is a good way to get out of debt for some, just know it can hurt your credit. If you're considering debt settlement, definitely prioritize weighing the pros and cons before deciding if it's the right financial solution for you.
How Do Debt Settlement Companies Earn Money?
The short answer: fees. These fees are based on the amount of money they're able to successfully reduce. Let's say you had $50,000 in debt, and they were able to reduce it to $25,000. Technically, you'd be saving $25,000, right? Not exactly. Since they reduced your debt by $25,000, they'll then take around 10%-25% in fees out of that amount - meaning you would pay anywhere from $2,500-$6,250 in fees. While you would still save anywhere from $18,750-$22,500, their fees do eat into your total take-home savings.
What Are Your Debt Relief Options?
Make sure to research all debt relief options available to you. This will help you determine the best fit for your financial situation. If you want to compare all your options - including bankruptcy - we've built a calculator that provides potential solutions and cost estimates. Check it out below:
Choosing Between Debt Settlement and Bankruptcy
Debt settlement can be a useful option, but it’s not the only one. While bankruptcy often carries a stigma or is viewed as a last resort, in some cases, it can actually be the quickest and most cost-effective solution. It all comes down to your financial situation.
Check out this video where we break down Debt Settlement vs. Bankruptcy:
Closing Thoughts
At Ascend, we urge you to research and explore your debt relief options as soon as possible. Regardless if you're considering debt settlement, bankruptcy, or consolidation - having a better understanding of your options will empower you to choose the next best step for your financial future. We know debt can feel overwhelming, but just know you're not alone - we’re more than happy to help.
Are you ready to get out of debt sooner than later? Feel free to call us today at 833.272.3631 to chat with one of our analysts (always for free). We'll help guide you on the path to financial freedom.
