Are You Owed a Refund If You Cancel?
It depends — and it depends account by account, not on your program as a whole. Knowing the rule ahead of time means you won't be caught off guard by the answer when you actually ask.
The Rule: It's Earned Per Account, Not All at Once
Under ACDR membership guidelines, a debt settlement company's fee on a specific account is considered earned once one of two things happens on that account: a settlement agreement has been reached with the creditor, or a payment has already been sent to the creditor.
Once either of those happens, the fee tied to that account is earned — even if you cancel the rest of your program afterward. This isn't something an individual company decides on its own. It's an industry standard set by ACDR guidelines that member companies are required to follow.
What Is Actually Refundable
Money that hasn't been touched yet — no agreement reached, no payment sent — is yours. That includes:
- Funds sitting in your Special Purpose Account that haven't been used toward any completed settlement.
- Any account where your provider hasn't yet reached an agreement or sent a payment on your behalf.
What Isn't Refundable
If an account has already been settled, or a payment has already gone out to that creditor, the fee tied to that specific account is earned — regardless of whether you finish the rest of the program.
What this means for you: Don't think of your refund as one single number for your whole program. Think of it account by account: settled or paid means the fee is earned, untouched means it's refundable.
What to Actually Ask For
Before you make any final decision, ask your provider for a written, per-account breakdown that shows:
- Which accounts already have a completed agreement or a payment sent.
- Which accounts are still untouched.
- The exact dollar amount currently sitting in your Special Purpose Account.
Getting this in writing means you know exactly what to expect instead of guessing — and gives you something concrete to work from if there's ever a disagreement about what you're owed.
This page is for general education and isn't legal or financial advice. Refund terms are governed by your specific program agreement and applicable ACDR guidelines. Confirm exact terms directly with your provider.