They’ve been in business since 2005, which makes them slightly older than some other debt relief companies. They charge the standard 15% set up fee, with no monthly or settlement fees. They’re up front in telling you that they won’t be contacting your creditors monthly, and that they won’t be able to stop creditor calls, which is what many people complain about with other companies. They also let you know up front that if you cancel, there will be no refunding of fees.

Franklin Debt Relief did something different in 2007 than we’ve seen from any other company of its type. It actually sent out a press release against credit card companies, outing their practices and saying they pushed consumers deeper into debt. It seems to have been prophetic, based on what’s happening today with credit cards raising their rates at a moment’s notice because of the bad economy. One of the quotes that their spokesman at the time made was:

“It is only when a person is in financial trouble that they become aware of the charges that they have to pay. At that point they are too far involved and it becomes impossible for them to avoid these additional charges. At Franklin Debt Relief we believe that these terms should have to be made more prominent to consumers and also that legislation should be put in place to cap these charges.”

Franklin Debt Relief seems to be a company that’s doing the right thing by its customers, mainly by letting them know up front what they may be in for. It’s a step in the right direction.