Start New Financial complaints often concern fees, program timelines, account records, unresolved debts, and cancellation. Start New Financial is a debt-settlement company, not a lender, creditor, or debt collector. Its program asks consumers to build funds in a dedicated account while the company seeks reduced settlements with unsecured creditors. No creditor must participate, and enrollment does not stop interest, collection calls, credit reporting, or lawsuits.

The important question is not whether every review is positive or negative. It is whether Start New’s promises, contract, withdrawals, settlements, and account records match what happened in your case.

Key Takeaways

1. Start New Financial says its typical performance fee is 25% of enrolled debt and is charged only after a debt is settled, the consumer approves it, and a payment is made to the creditor.
2. The company says programs average 24 to 50 months, but some last longer and not every client completes the program.
3. On August 15, 2026, BBB displayed 29 complaints in the previous three years, including 11 billing and 10 order complaints. Complaints are allegations, not findings of wrongdoing.
4. Start New’s website says consumers may cancel without a cancellation fee, but earned settlement and banking fees may still be deducted. The signed agreement and ledger matter.
5. Federal and Illinois rules may regulate fee timing, disclosures, records, cancellation, refunds, and dedicated-account funds.

What Is Start New Financial?

Start New’s privacy policy identifies Start New Settlement, LLC doing business as Start New Financial. Another site disclosure refers to Start New Financial LLC. Consumers should check the exact legal entity on the enrollment agreement, bank statement, dedicated-account documents, and settlement notices.

The company markets settlement of unsecured obligations such as credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, and collection accounts. It says consumers deposit money into a dedicated savings account they own and control. As funds accumulate, Start New negotiates and presents proposed settlements for approval. Start New also states that it does not assume the debt or make ordinary monthly creditor payments.

That distinction matters. A program deposit is not a consolidation-loan payment and may not keep accounts current. Before enrolling, request a creditor-by-creditor timeline, savings estimate, fee schedule, and written explanation of what happens if a creditor refuses to settle.

How Much Does Start New Charge?

Start New’s fee is typically 25% of the debt enrolled. It also discloses ancillary third-party check-by-phone fees and an optional third-party legal-insurance program costing $30 per month.

At a 25% rate:

1. $20,000 of enrolled debt produces a $5,000 settlement fee.
2. $40,000 of enrolled debt produces a $10,000 settlement fee.
3. $60,000 of enrolled debt produces a $15,000 settlement fee.

Those amounts do not include creditor payments, dedicated-account charges, optional services, added interest or late fees, or possible tax consequences. The company’s site says clients who complete the program average about 46% savings before fees and 25% after fees, while also warning that results vary and no specific reduction or completion date is guaranteed.

Ask for a written calculation for each debt: starting balance, current balance, settlement amount, company fee, third-party charges, and net savings. A headline settlement percentage can be misleading if it excludes fees and balance growth.

What Do Start New Financial Complaints Report?

On August 15, 2026, BBB’s complaint page displayed 29 complaints in three years and six closed in the preceding 12 months. BBB categorized them as 11 billing, 10 order, five service-or-repair, and three product complaints. It listed 27 as answered and two as resolved and displayed an A+ rating and accreditation.

Published Start New Financial complaints describe different facts, but recurring allegations include:

1. program terms extending beyond the original estimate;
2. fees or withdrawals the consumer did not understand or disputed;
3. difficulty obtaining a complete payment and settlement history;
4. creditors continuing collection or filing suit while debts remained unsettled;
5. disagreement over which accounts were enrolled or resolved; and
6. delays or deductions when requesting cancellation and return of account funds.

Start New’s BBB responses often say it reviewed the account, explained program terms, supplied requested records, or considered a refund. BBB does not decide legal liability, and complaint totals should be considered alongside company size and responses. The strongest evidence is the signed agreement, sales recording, ledger, bank records, creditor correspondence, settlement approvals, and court filings.

Is There a New Financial Lawsuit?

A search of publicly available FTC and CFPB materials did not locate a government enforcement case naming Start New Financial as of August 15, 2026. Public federal records do show Century Support Services, LLC v. Start New Settlement, LLC, filed in 2021, but that was a private trade-secrets business dispute, not a government debt-relief prosecution.

The absence of a located agency case does not prove that every practice is lawful or that no private lawsuit or arbitration exists. A consumer’s claim depends on the representations, contract, fee timing, services, losses, and governing law in that person’s case.

What Rights May Protect Illinois Consumers?

Illinois’ Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act regulates covered providers. It generally limits an initial fee to $50, caps a settlement fee at 15% of savings, requires detailed account records, and permits cancellation before full performance. After a qualifying cancellation, the Act generally requires unearned fees and undistributed settlement funds to be returned with an accounting within five business days. Exemptions and fact-specific questions can affect coverage.

The federal Telemarketing Sales Rule applies to covered debt-relief sales made by phone. A provider generally may not collect its fee for a debt until that debt’s terms have been changed, the consumer has agreed to the result, and the consumer has made at least one payment under the agreement. A compliant dedicated account must remain consumer-owned and controlled, and qualifying funds generally must be returned within seven business days after termination, minus lawfully earned fees.

These rules do not guarantee a refund in every dispute. They provide a framework for an attorney to compare the agreement and transaction history with what the law requires.

What Should You Do If the Program Caused a Problem?

1. Preserve everything. Save advertisements, the agreement, disclosures, call recordings, emails, texts, settlement approvals, bank records, dedicated-account statements, creditor letters, credit reports, and court papers.
2. Demand a complete accounting. Request every deposit, fee, creditor payment, settlement offer, accepted settlement, unresolved debt, and remaining account balance in writing.
3. Check each creditor directly. Confirm the balance, settlement status, payment history, and whether a lawsuit or deadline exists.
4. Protect court deadlines. Enrollment does not pause a creditor lawsuit. If you receive a summons, obtain legal help immediately.
5. Cancel in a traceable way if appropriate. Follow the contract, keep proof of delivery, address future debit authority, and request written confirmation and the final refund calculation. Read how to respond when a debt-relief program goes wrong.

How Justice Consumer Law Can Help

Justice Consumer Law reviews Start New Financial sales representations, contracts, fee timing, settlement results, account withdrawals, cancellations, and resulting creditor problems. We compare what was promised with what was authorized and performed.

If Start New Financial fees, missing records, disputed drafts, unresolved debts, or cancellation problems caused harm, contact Justice Consumer Law for a case-specific review. Available claims and results depend on the facts and governing law.

Frequently Asked Questions About Start New Financial

Is Start New Financial a debt-consolidation lender?

No. It markets debt settlement. Consumers save money in a dedicated account while the company attempts to negotiate unsecured debts; it does not issue one loan that immediately pays creditors.

Does Start New Financial charge 25%?

Its fee is typically 25% of enrolled debt. Rates and lawful limits may vary, so verify the percentage, calculation base, earning event, and third-party costs in your agreement.

Can creditors sue while I am enrolled?

Yes. Creditors do not have to stop collection or accept a settlement. Treat every summons or court notice as urgent even if Start New knows about the account.

Can I cancel Start New Financial?

The company says consumers may cancel without a cancellation fee and withdraw dedicated-account funds, minus banking and earned settlement fees. Send traceable notice and demand a final itemized accounting; additional rights may apply under state or federal law.

This page provides general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.