Debt settlement in Ontario, Canada refers to the process of negotiating with creditors to pay off a portion of the debt that is owed, rather than the full amount.
It is important to note that debt settlement is not a government-approved or officially recognized form of debt relief in Canada, and it may be offered by private companies.
When considering a debt settlement program, the following steps are often involved:
- Setting up a plan:
- A company will work with you to set up a plan to pay off a portion of the debt that is owed.
- Stopping payments:
- you will typically be asked to stop making payments to your creditors
- Paying the debt settlement company:
- you will instead pay the debt settlement company
- Negotiating with creditors:
- The company will then use the money that is paid to them to negotiate with your creditors to try to get them to accept a lower payoff amount than the full amount that is owed.
It is important to note that not all creditors will agree to a debt settlement plan, and settling a debt for less than the full amount can have a negative impact on your credit score.
Also, some companies charge high upfront fees and may not be able to deliver on their promises. It is always important to consult a professional and consider all options before making a decision on the best debt relief option for you.