Pacific Debt Relief Review August 2026
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Best for people with $10K+ in debt who want dedicated support
Pacific Debt Relief, formerly Pacific Debt, Inc., is a debt settlement company that was incorporated in San Diego, California in 2002. It negotiates with creditors to resolve unsecured debts such as credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans for less than the full balance you owe. The company reports that it has settled more than $500 million in debt for its clients since 2002.
| Type of Debt Settled | Unsecured debt: credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, payday loans, debt consolidation loans, collection accounts, and repossessions |
|---|---|
| Program Length | 24 to 48 months typical, and some programs run longer |
| Customer Service Hours | New clients: Mon to Thurs 6am to 7pm PST, Fri 6am to 4:30pm PST, Sat 7:30am to 4:30pm PST |
| Coverage | Lists 49 states and Washington, D.C.; minus Oregon; refers some residents to a partner where state rules require it |
| Accreditation | BBB A+, accredited since December 1, 2010; IAPDA-certified specialists |
Key features- $10,000 minimum. You need more than $10,000 in unsecured debt to enroll.
- Free consultation. A debt specialist reviews your debts and budget at no cost before you commit.
- Dedicated Client Success team. A dedicated Client Success team supports you through the program and sends monthly progress updates.
- Secure document portal. An online client portal lets you exchange encrypted messages and share sensitive documents with the company.
- Clean regulatory record. A search of federal enforcement records found no CFPB, FTC, or state attorney general action against the company.
Pacific Debt Relief: Top features
Pacific Debt Relief is an established debt settlement company with a verifiable history and solid customer ratings.
A company that has operated since 2002
Kevin Landie founded Pacific Debt, Inc. in San Diego in 2002, and the company changed its public name to Pacific Debt Relief in October 2021. The BBB lists it as 24 years in business, which is a long run for a debt settlement company.
A program that runs 24 to 48 months
Pacific Debt Relief aims to resolve your enrolled debts in 24 to 48 months, and it notes that some programs run longer depending on your situation. The timeline varies based on how much you owe, how quickly you can fund your account, and whether your creditors are willing to negotiate.
Accepted debts
Pacific Debt Relief handles unsecured debt: credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, payday loans, debt consolidation loans, collection accounts, and repossessions. It doesn't touch secured debts such as mortgages and auto loans. It also can't help with most student loans, tax debt, or debts already in a court judgment.
Accreditation
The company holds an A+ rating from the BBB and has been BBB-accredited since December 1, 2010. It also says its debt specialists are certified through the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA).
Free consultation
You start with a free consultation. A specialist reviews your debts, income, and budget, then tells you whether the program fits. If debt settlement isn't right for you, this is where a good company says so, and debt settlement is not the right tool for everyone.
No upfront settlement fee
Pacific Debt Relief charges no upfront settlement fee. Federal law bars a telemarketed debt settlement company from collecting a settlement fee before it settles a debt. So the fee comes only after Pacific Debt Relief negotiates a settlement, you approve it, and a payment is made to the creditor.
Is Pacific Debt Relief legit?
Pacific Debt Relief is a legitimate, long-running debt settlement company. It has operated since 2002 and holds an A+ rating from the BBB, where it has been accredited since December 1, 2010. Its specialists are IAPDA-certified.
A search of the CFPB newsroom and federal enforcement records turned up no action against the company. That covers the CFPB, the FTC, and state attorneys general. It's an absence of findings rather than a guarantee, but it's a good sign for a company this size.
Customer ratings back that up. The BBB records 10 complaints over the past three years. The company responded to each one. For a company handling this volume of accounts, that's a low number.
Pacific Debt Relief pros and cons
Weigh what the program does well against where it could improve.
- Long track record. In business since 2002, with an A+ BBB rating held since 2010.
- Strong customer ratings. 4.91 out of 5 on the BBB and 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot.
- Dedicated support team. A Client Success team handles your case and sends monthly progress updates.
- Clean regulatory record. No CFPB, FTC, or state attorney general action found.
- No upfront settlement fees. You pay the settlement fee only after a settlement is reached and you approve it.
- $10,000 minimum. You need more than $10,000 in unsecured debt to enroll, a higher bar than some competitors set.
- Fees aren't posted online. The company doesn't publish its settlement-fee percentage on its site, so you get your rate during the consultation.
- High total cost. Clients who finish pay up to 85% of their enrolled balance once fees are added in.
- Limited self-service tools. There's no mobile app, and the client portal is for secure messaging, not progress tracking.
- Standard debt settlement risks apply. You could face credit damage, lawsuits, and tax consequences.
How much does Pacific Debt Relief cost?
Pacific Debt Relief doesn't publish a fee percentage on its own site. It says service fees vary based on how much you owe at enrollment and your state of residence.
What the company does state is a common total cost range. It says clients who make all their monthly deposits pay about 50% of their enrolled balance before fees, or 65% to 85% once fees are included. A monthly account or servicing fee could also apply, and that charge is separate from the settlement fee, so ask about it upfront.
Here's how the cost could look on a $20,000 balance, using the company's own figures. These numbers are for illustration only, and your result could differ.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Enrolled unsecured debt | $20,000 |
| Paid to creditors (company-reported 50% typical) | $10,000 |
| Portion forgiven | $10,000 |
| Total you pay, including fees (65% to 85%) | $13,000 to $17,000 |
| Possible taxable income | $10,000 |
Your savings could vary widely by creditor and by how steadily you fund your account, and the company doesn't guarantee any specific result or timeline.
Ask for your exact fee during the consultation, and confirm it in the client agreement before you sign. If your balances are small or you're comfortable making the calls, you can also negotiate with creditors yourself and skip the fee entirely.
Important considerations when choosing debt settlement
Debt settlement carries real risks that apply to any provider, Pacific Debt Relief included. Weigh these three before you enroll, and if any give you pause, compare them against other debt relief options.
Credit score damage
Debt settlement typically requires you to stop making payments to your creditors. Once you stop paying a creditor to build up settlement funds, that account can be reported late. A settled account also gets marked as settled for less than the full balance. A negative mark like that can stay on your credit report for about seven years. If keeping your credit score high matters to you in the next year or two, debt settlement may not be your best move.
Taxes on forgiven debt
When a creditor forgives part of what you owe, the IRS generally treats that forgiven amount as taxable income. The creditor may report it to you and the IRS on a Form 1099-C. You may be able to exclude some or all of it if you were insolvent when the debt was cancelled. Insolvent means your debts were larger than your assets. A tax professional can tell you where you stand, and our explainer on taxes after debt settlement covers the basics.
Lawsuit risk
A debt settlement program doesn't stop collection activity. Unlike bankruptcy, it gives you no automatic legal protection, so creditors could keep calling and could file a lawsuit while you're enrolled. If a lawsuit worries you, ask during your consultation how the company handles accounts that end up in litigation.
Pacific Debt Relief customer service and satisfaction
Pacific Debt Relief earns high marks on both review platforms Bills.com tracks:
| Platform | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| BBB customer reviews | 4.91 / 5 | 1,345 |
| Trustpilot | 4.8 / 5 | 2,496 |
Positive reviews point to the same few things again and again: clear explanations, staff who don't make you feel judged, and a personal point of contact who guides you through the process.
Critical reviews and BBB complaints tend to focus on three things: fees measured against savings, slow early settlements, and, in a few cases, repeated enrollment calls. The company responds to complaints and has addressed all 10 filed in the past three years.
Where is Pacific Debt Relief available?
Pacific Debt Relief lists all states and Washington, D.C., with the exception of Oregon, as places it can help. In some states, it may not be able to serve you directly because of state debt settlement rules. In those cases, it refers you to another provider or an attorney firm. The company doesn't publish a list of the states it excludes.
How do I contact Pacific Debt Relief?
You can reach Pacific Debt Relief several ways, depending on whether you're a new or current client.
- New clients: Call (833) 865-2028 or email inquiries@pacificdebt.com. Phone hours run Monday to Thursday 6am to 7pm PST, Friday 6am to 4:30pm PST, and Saturday 7:30am to 4:30pm PST for enrollment.
- Current clients: Call (877) 722-3328 or email cs@pacificdebt.com.
- Creditors: Call (833) 865-2028 or email creditorinquiries@pacificdebt.com. The company's fax is (619) 238-6709.
The head office is at 750 B Street, Suite 1700, San Diego, CA 92101. Clients can exchange encrypted messages and share documents through a secure Mimecast portal. There's no mobile app, and the company's own site doesn't confirm a consumer chat option.
Pacific Debt Relief milestones
Pacific Debt Relief reports on its site that it has settled more than $500 million in debt for its clients since 2002.
Get rid of your debt faster with debt relief
Take the first step towards a debt-free life with personalized debt reduction strategies.
Choose your debt amount
Or speak to a debt consultant 844-731-0836