Quick Answer: New Era Debt Solutions is a for-profit debt settlement company based in Camarillo, California. To evaluate whether they’re right for you, I’d encourage you to check their complaint history with the CFPB, read their BBB profile, and check their legal and enforcement history. Here’s how to do each of those.
Before You Read This: I want to be upfront about what this page is and isn’t. I’m not an investment advisor, and I’m not rendering a verdict on New Era Debt Solutions. This is a research guide — I’m showing you where to look so you can reach your own conclusions based on current information.
If you find something in the public record that concerns you, post it in the comments below. If you’re evaluating their contract, use my free Contract Decoder tool.
If you represent New Era Debt Solutions and something here is inaccurate, contact me and I’ll review it promptly.
If you have inside information you feel you need to share with me privately: don’t. Whatever you want to share should be posted in the comments — by you, with your name attached. I’m not willing to be anyone’s conduit for information they won’t stand behind themselves.
The most valuable thing on this page may not be what I’ve written — it’s the comments section below. People who’ve actually worked with New Era Debt Solutions share their experiences there. I’d encourage you to read them and add your own.
Who Is New Era Debt Solutions?
An educated consumer is our best customer.— Sy Syms
New here? My Ultimate Consumer Guide to Checking Out a Debt Relief Company walks through how to vet any company before you sign anything.
New Era Debt Solutions is a for-profit debt settlement company incorporated in California. Rather than repeat what they say about themselves here, I’d encourage you to read their own website and California business filings — that way you’re seeing it directly from primary sources, not filtered through me.
Step 1: Check Their Credentials
Debt settlement companies must be licensed in each state where they serve clients. Here’s what to verify:
- State Licensing: Debt settlement companies are regulated at the state level. Contact your state’s financial regulatory agency to verify that New Era Debt Solutions is licensed to operate where you live. Requirements and fee caps vary by state.
- BBB Profile: Check their Better Business Bureau profile — look at the complaint history and how they responded, not just the letter grade.
- FTC Rule Compliance: The FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule prohibits debt settlement companies from charging fees before they settle at least one debt. Ask New Era Debt Solutions specifically how and when they charge their fees, and get that in writing.
- Years in Operation: New Era Debt Solutions was founded in 1999. Ask them directly what their program completion rates and settlement percentages have been — and ask for documentation, not just marketing claims.
A Note on BBB Grades: A high BBB grade doesn’t necessarily mean a company is right for you — it means they respond to complaints filed through the BBB. Read the actual complaint text and the company’s responses. That’s the useful part. See my full guide to what BBB letter grades actually mean →
Step 2: Check Consumer Complaints
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau maintains a public database of complaints filed against financial companies. You can search for New Era Debt Solutions directly:
The Daily Money Brief — Free, at 10 AM
Money you may be owed, scams to dodge, and the fine print decoded — the consumer money news that affects your wallet, every weekday.
Search New Era Debt Solutions’ complaint history in the CFPB database →
When you’re reading complaints, look for:
- What the complaints are about — undisclosed fees, missed settlements, creditor lawsuits during enrollment, communication issues?
- How the company responded — did they resolve issues or just close them?
- Whether the same issues appear repeatedly — patterns matter more than individual complaints
- The complaint volume relative to how long the company has been operating
Step 3: Read Their BBB and Online Reviews
In addition to the BBB profile linked above, check review platforms for firsthand accounts from clients. A few things to keep in mind:
How to evaluate online reviews: My complete guide to spotting red flags in Trustpilot reviews covers the patterns that apply to all review platforms — including how to identify solicitation campaigns and reputation management tactics.
- For debt settlement specifically, look for reviews that mention actual outcomes — settlements reached, percentages saved, total fees paid — not just positive enrollment experience reviews
- Read the lower-star reviews carefully — these tend to come from people far enough into the program to have real feedback about outcomes
- Compare the dates and content of positive vs. negative reviews for a more complete picture
- Note how the company responds to negative reviews — the tone tells you something about how they handle problems
Step 4: Check Their Legal and Enforcement History
For-profit debt settlement companies are subject to enforcement actions from federal and state regulators. Here’s where to look:
- FTC Actions: The FTC publishes all enforcement cases — search for New Era Debt Solutions and its principals.
- CFPB Enforcement Actions: Search the CFPB’s enforcement action database for the company name.
- California DFPI: New Era Debt Solutions is based in California. The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) regulates financial services companies in the state — check for actions and file complaints through their website.
- Federal Court Records: CourtListener searches 1.3 billion federal court documents for free — search for “New Era Debt Solutions” to see any federal litigation involving the company.
Context Matters: A company that has faced enforcement action isn’t automatically disqualified — what matters is what the action was for, whether they resolved it, and whether the behavior continued.
Step 5: Ask the Right Questions Before You Enroll
Before signing anything: Run their contract through my free Contract Decoder tool. Paste it in and get a plain-English breakdown of what you’re agreeing to.
Before you commit to any debt settlement program, get clear answers — in writing — to these questions:
- What is the total fee structure — percentage of enrolled debt or settled amount — and when are fees charged?
- What happens to my accounts during the program — will creditors continue to pursue collection or file lawsuits?
- What are the tax implications if debts are forgiven — is there a 1099-C risk?
- What is the cancellation policy and what happens to funds already deposited in my dedicated account?
- Are they licensed to operate in my state, and can they provide documentation?
- What is their actual program completion rate — based on real data, not marketing materials?
Before You Commit: Debt settlement isn’t right for everyone. Run your situation through my Find Your Path tool to compare it against bankruptcy, credit counseling, and other options before committing to any program.
Key Takeaways
- Verify state licensing before enrolling — requirements and fee caps vary by state
- Read CFPB complaints and online reviews — focus on outcomes, not just enrollment experience
- Check the California DFPI and FTC enforcement databases for any regulatory history
- Ask for documented program completion rates and settlement percentages
- Get the full fee structure and cancellation policy in writing before signing anything
- The comments section below contains real experiences from real clients — read them
Want the full research playbook? My Ultimate Consumer Guide to Checking Out a Debt Relief Company covers every tool and source in this guide — plus detailed walkthroughs for reading BBB profiles, spotting Trustpilot red flags, and searching federal court records on CourtListener.
Free Tool — 1099-C Tax Calculator: Received a 1099-C for cancelled debt? The free 1099-C Tax Calculator runs the exact IRS insolvency math from Publication 4681 Worksheet 2 — and covers the partial insolvency case most people miss. Run the Calculator →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Era Debt Solutions a nonprofit?
No. New Era Debt Solutions is a for-profit company incorporated in California.
How do I file a complaint against New Era Debt Solutions?
You can file a complaint directly with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. In California, you can also file with the California DFPI and the BBB. Filing with the CFPB creates a public record and triggers a required company response.
How long has New Era Debt Solutions been in business?
According to public records, New Era Debt Solutions was founded in 1999. When evaluating any company’s longevity, also look at how their complaint history has trended over time — years in operation doesn’t substitute for checking current consumer feedback.
What are the risks of debt settlement?
Debt settlement carries real risks: your credit score will typically drop significantly during the program, creditors may sue you before a settlement is reached, settled debts may trigger a 1099-C tax form, and there’s no guarantee all enrolled debts will settle favorably. Run your situation through my Find Your Path tool to compare this against other options.
Should I use New Era Debt Solutions to get out of debt?
That depends entirely on your situation. I’d encourage you to compare all your options — including bankruptcy, credit counseling, and debt consolidation loans — before committing to any program. Use my Find Your Path tool to see what fits your specific circumstances.
Share Your Experience with New Era Debt Solutions
If you’ve worked with New Era Debt Solutions — as a client, a former employee, or someone who looked into them and decided not to enroll — I’d encourage you to share your experience in the comments. Your perspective helps others make a more informed decision.
To share your experience: Scroll to the bottom of this page — the comments box is there.
Before You Sign Anything: Run any debt relief contract through the free Contract Decoder to spot hidden fees and unfair terms. Check the company’s complaint history with the Scam-O-Meter.
Compare Your Real Options: Most debt relief companies won’t tell you about all your options — especially the ones they can’t profit from. Credit counseling has a 21-27% completion rate. Settlement resolves about 1% of enrolled debts fully. Bankruptcy has a 95% discharge rate — and protects your retirement. Take the Find Your Path quiz for a recommendation based on your actual numbers.
Browse all Debt Settlement Companies reviews, or see the full Company Reviews directory.
