How the Site Works: Ascend's mission is to take the pain out of personal finance for everyone. Not everyone who comes to our site is currently best fit for the Ascend product, so we spend a great deal of time and effort finding partners that we hope will be beneficial to you.
How We Make Money: Our partners sometimes compensate us in the way of advertising. Some partners we recommend pay us referral fees for sending them new customers. If you click through an application link on our site and end up receiving the service, we may receive compensation when your application is approved, and you move forward with this product. Each partner is vetted based on the following criteria:
We prioritize lower interest rate providers.
We prioritize those who do not penalize checking your rate or have prepayment penalties.
We prioritize those that are customer experience focused. We measure this by the reviews on more unbiased review sites.
What Does Daymond John Say About National Debt Relief?
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or financial advice.
Have you come across that Facebook post from Daymond John endorsing National Debt Relief, but haven’t had the chance to dig into the reviews about the company or the program they're offering? In this article, we'll break down: what exactly Daymond John is promoting, what kind of program National Debt Relief offers, their positive and negative reviews, and a few alternative debt relief options to consider.
So, why is Daymond John - yes, Daymond John from Shark Tank - now endorsing National Debt Relief? What’s going on here?
Daymond’s been open about his own experience with debt. So when someone like him partners with a debt relief company, you may wonder: "is this just a sponsorship? Or is there something more to it?"
In the YouTube video featured on this landing page, he mentions that he had previously been in a bad spot financially in the past, and was on the brink of losing both his house and company. And for that very reason, he's "excited to partner with National Debt Relief (since) they have a proven track record of helping people get out of debt quickly."
How Do You Get Started?
To start, you'd have a free consultation with National Debt Relief where you go over your details, then you'd set the payment amount you can contribute to the "program" every month. But what is this program? More than likely, it's a Debt Settlement Program. We'll dive into that deeper next.
I'll include a screenshot below from National Debt Relief's website with their exact summary of how Debt Relief works. They mention that in a Debt Settlement Program, your debt is negotiated down so you can have a lower balance. You'll be advised to stop paying your creditors, and instead deposit that money into a dedicated savings account. After your account fall delinquent, National Debt Relief can then negotiate a lower payment amount with your creditors. The money that's been accumulating in that savings account will then be used to pay your new negotiated balance.
On the surface, this might sound like a great solution, and for some, it can be! But here’s what often isn’t mentioned: your credit score will likely take a major hit, since these programs typically require your accounts to fall behind before any negotiations begin. You're also not legally protected during this time, which means creditors can still take legal action, including potential lawsuits. And then there’s the cost: many of these programs charge fees that can be as high as 25% of your enrolled debt.
All of that said, Debt Relief (or Debt Settlement) is a legitimate option for the right person. The key is going in with your eyes wide open. Make sure you fully understand the terms, the fees, and the real impact - because unfortunately these details aren’t always made clear up front, and that’s why so many people end up feeling blindsided once they’re already deep in the process.
I'll include a video we made below that breaks down the nitty gritty of Debt Settlement Programs:
National Debt Relief Reviews
Now let's take a look at both their positive and negative reviews on BBB, along with a few recent Reddit posts.
Better Business Bureau Reviews
On Better Business Bureau, they currently have a 4.74 out of 5-star rating, based on over 5,000 reviews. So what do those reviews say?
To start, many of the positive reviews follow a familiar pattern: they're fairly general and tend to focus heavily on the customer service experience. While that's not necessarily a red flag, it's worth noting that most of these reviewers appear to be at the very beginning of the program. Since they haven't gone through the full process yet, their feedback does not reflect the long-term outcomes.
In some of the additional positive reviews, one stood out in particular, where someone shared that they finally felt at peace; like a weight had been lifted and their fears were gone. Debt can be an incredibly personal and emotionally draining experience. It’s crucial to release any shame and give yourself grace for the situation you’re in. That said, unfortunately some companies take advantage of the vulnerable position you're in. So before enrolling in any program, take the time to research and make the decision that truly serves you.
On the other hand, the negative reviews tell a different story altogether, some of the key points mentioned include:
Lack of Transparency - The reviewers claim that the company wasn't transparent about fees, timelines, or how the program really works.
Poor Communication and Feeling Unsupported - The reviews also mention feeling like the staff didn't know what was going on, or provided conflicting information, or that they were bounced around between different representatives - creating a frustrating, pinball experience.
Unexpected Legal and Financial Consequences - One reviewer mentioned facing lawsuits from their creditors, due to their payments falling behind. Another mentioned their credit score was severely damaged, and that due to additional fees they ended up paying much more than expected.
Frustrating and Inconsistent Cancellation Process - When trying to cancel, one of the reviewers mentioned having trouble getting a refund and being given the runaround by one rep, only to speak to a different rep who helped them cancel within 5 minutes. Talk about whiplash!
Now let's see what people on Reddit have to say!
Reddit Reviews
In this first Reddit post, the poster mentions feeling disillusioned from working with National Debt Relief and seems to be looking for an alternate route to take.
One commenter chimed in saying they also worked with National Debt Relief and eventually realized they were paying more than expected, thanks to added fees and long-term costs. Both users actually ended up turning to Non-Profit Credit Counseling instead, which they found to be a better fit for them. We’ll dive into that option a little later in the article!
In a different Reddit post, the poster mentions that a close family member is considering using National Debt Relief and is curious to hear experiences and alternatives from those have have taken this route.
This commenter shared their experience working with Gitmeid Law Firm (check out our article about them here). At first, things looked promising and the program seemed to be working. But over time, the fees started adding up and it became too expensive to maintain. In the end, they decided to cut out the middleman and contact their creditors directly to negotiate the debt down on their own. And honestly, that’s a totally valid option to try too - it just depends on what works best for you.
This last comment really hits the nail on the head. Any service (whether it’s Debt Settlement, Credit Counseling, or even hiring someone to cook your meals) comes with trade-offs. There’s always some level of risk, a bit of surrendering control, and potential consequences. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth considering, especially if it offers real relief and helps you get back on track.
Like we mentioned earlier, Debt Settlement Programs are totally legitimate and can be a solid option for many people - but they’re not the only option. Bankruptcy and Non-Profit Credit Counseling are also completely valid paths you can take, depending on your situation. In the end, it comes down to what you’re comfortable with.
What Other Debt Relief Options Do You Have?
Thinking about a debt consolidation loan? Give our free Debt Consolidation Loan Calculator a try! No personal info needed, unless you want to share it.
With this calculator, you’ll see three different loan options and get an estimate for other debt consolidation methods, like Non-Profit Credit Counseling, which can help lower your interest rates through an agency. This calculator can provide a quick, easy way to explore your options!
Non-Profit Credit Counseling
Didn’t qualify for a debt consolidation loan? Don’t worry! Non-Profit Credit Counseling might be a great alternative. It’s a free or low-cost service where you’ll work one-on-one with a certified credit counselor to better understand your debt and build a plan to reduce your interest rates and monthly payments. (You’ll also see this option listed in the calculator above!)
Want to learn more? Check out the video below for all the details:
Bankruptcy vs. Debt Settlement
Additionally, check out this video where we break down Bankruptcy vs. Debt Settlement:
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering working with National Debt Relief, the reviews from BBB and Reddit are the types of real user experiences you’ll want to weigh carefully. Whether you’re considering Loans, Debt Settlement, Bankruptcy, or Credit Counseling, understanding your choices is the key to moving forward with confidence. Regardless if you're a fan of Daymond John, or trust his opinions, don't let that be the main deciding factor in what you choose to do regarding your debt. Especially since he more than likely didn't go through a Debt Settlement Program to relieve his own debt.
We know that dealing with debt can feel overwhelming, like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. But here’s the good news: the earlier you start exploring your options, the more control you’ll have over your financial future.
You deserve to work with a team that’s truly on your side and prioritizes your best interests to help you take real, lasting steps toward a brighter financial future. We’re here to support you every step of the way, not just push you toward a quick fix or try to sell you something.
Ready to take the next step? Call us today at 833-272-3631 for a free, no-pressure conversation about your options. Let’s work together to create a path to the debt-free future you deserve.
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