First Step: Disclosures for Pre-Filing Credit Counseling Services
Our bankruptcy services are available exclusively online. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact a bankruptcy certificate specialist at (855) 685-7843.
About Debt Reduction Services, Inc. (DRS):
Since 1996, DRS has provided financial education and counseling. Our certified counselors have completed the Accredited Credit Counselor certification (AFCPE) or the Certified Debt Management Professional program through the Partnership for Financial Education, with ongoing education required to maintain these certifications. We are members of the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA), and the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). DRS is ISO 9001:2015 certified through Bureau Veritas (BV), an independent third-party organization that monitors social service providers.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, DRS is partially funded by grants from banks and financial institutions that support financial counseling. We do not pay or receive referral fees for client referrals. Your certificate of completion for pre-bankruptcy credit counseling will be issued within one business day of completing your course. The Executive Office for U.S. Trustees (EOUST) may review client information as part of their oversight but has approved only our Pre-filing credit counseling and Post-filing debtor education services. *
*Approved to issue certificates in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code. Approval does not endorse or assure the quality of an Agency’s services.
Service Details:
Our online program will ask questions about your budget, assets, creditors, and the factors leading you to consider bankruptcy. Interaction with a certified counselor is required by law. A counselor will contact you by phone or email to review your information, discuss alternatives to bankruptcy, and develop a personalized action plan based on your financial situation. This session is not dependent on whether you choose to file for bankruptcy.
Upon completion of the counseling session, you will be notified by email to log back into the system to receive your certificate. This certificate will be issued within one business day and is valid for 180 days from the date of completion.
Fees and Fee Waivers:
The cost for Pre-filing credit counseling is $50 per case, payable by debit, credit card, or PayPal. We discourage credit card usage unless a family member is paying on your behalf. Personal checks are not accepted. You may qualify for a fee waiver if your income is at or below 150% of the poverty guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Use our Fee Waiver Calculator or call us at (855) 685-7843 to determine eligibility. No additional fees are charged for certificate generation.
Confidentiality and Credit Report Impact:
Your financial information, including income, debts, and assets, will remain confidential and will not be shared with any third party without your consent, except as required by law. Counseling through DRS will not impact your credit report, and no information from this session will be disclosed to credit reporting agencies.
Debt Management Plan (DMP) Option:
During the session, you have the option to explore a Debt Management Plan (DMP). Should you choose to enroll in a DMP, separate agreements and disclosures will be provided. Additional fees may apply for this service.
Impact of Bankruptcy and DMP on Credit Reports:
Filing for bankruptcy does not remove accurate information from your credit report and may negatively impact your credit score for 7 to 10 years. Participation in a DMP may affect how future creditors view your creditworthiness, depending on your credit history.
Additional Policies:
We do not charge additional fees beyond the $50 for generating your certificate, and our agency does not pay or receive fees for client referrals, except under a fair share agreement. The Post-Filing Debtor Education course is available online in English and Spanish. For assistance in other languages, please visit the U.S. Trustee’s website.
Complaint Resolution:
If you are dissatisfied with our services, please contact us by email at bankruptcy@debtreductionservices.org or call (855) 685-7843.
You may also submit complaints by mail to: Debt Reduction Services, 6213 N Cloverdale Rd, Ste 130, Boise, ID 83713.The United States Trustee has reviewed only our credit counseling and debtor education services and has not approved any other services we provide, the United States Trustee does not endorse or assure the quality of any one agency’s services.
