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Cancel Freedom Debt Relief: Step-by-Step Guide
How to cancel freedom debt relief from new zealand: your complete guide
Understanding freedom debt relief and why you might cancel
Freedom Debt Relief is a U.S.-based debt settlement company that negotiates with your creditors to reduce unsecured debts on your behalf. The company works primarily with American customers, and if you have enrolled from New Zealand, you will need to navigate a cross-border cancellation process. This guide walks you through every step, your rights as a New Zealand consumer, and how Stopee can help clarify your options.
What freedom debt relief does
Freedom Debt Relief offers debt settlement services where the company communicates with your creditors to negotiate lower payoff amounts. You pay fees to the company, and your funds are held in a dedicated account while negotiations take place. Once a settlement is reached, the company coordinates payment to your creditor.
The company publishes its terms, fees, and policies in U.S. dollars and under U.S. law. There is no New Zealand office, dedicated New Zealand customer support phone line, or published New Zealand-specific cancellation address. If you enrolled as a New Zealand resident, your contract terms follow U.S. standards, which can create confusion when you want to exit.
Common reasons new zealand customers cancel
You might cancel because the service has not delivered expected results, you can no longer afford the fees, you found alternative debt support, or the lack of local support has frustrated your experience. Whatever your reason, your right to cancel is clear, and Stopee is here to help you understand your options and avoid costly mistakes.
Your consumer rights under new zealand law
As a New Zealand consumer, you are protected by the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 1986, even when dealing with overseas companies.
Consumer guarantees act protections
The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 protects you in several ways. First, any service supplied must be of acceptable quality and fit for purpose. If Freedom Debt Relief has failed to deliver the debt settlement results promised, or if the service is not of acceptable quality, you may have grounds to cancel and claim a refund. Second, the company must supply the service within a reasonable time and at a reasonable price. Third, you have the right to cancel within a cooling-off period if you were not given proper information before purchase.
Although Freedom Debt Relief's published Terms of Use do not explicitly describe a New Zealand 14-day cooling-off period, this right may exist under New Zealand law if the company failed to provide full disclosure before you enrolled. Document any evidence that you were not given clear information about fees, settlement timelines, or the company's actual success rates when you signed up.
Fair trading act and misleading claims
The Fair Trading Act 1986 prohibits misleading or deceptive claims. If Freedom Debt Relief marketed guaranteed debt reduction, promised specific settlement outcomes, or made claims that proved false, you can lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission. Keep screenshots of any marketing materials, email promises, or verbal assurances from the company's representatives. This documentation strengthens your negotiating position and provides evidence if you escalate your dispute.
Chargeback and bank dispute rights
If you paid Freedom Debt Relief by credit card or debit card, you have the right to dispute the transaction with your bank under the Payment Card Industry rules. You can request a chargeback if the company failed to deliver the service as described or if you were charged unauthorised fees. Your bank will investigate, and the burden is on Freedom Debt Relief to prove the charge was legitimate. This is a powerful lever, especially if the company refuses to cooperate on cancellation or refunds.
Methods to contact freedom debt relief and cancel
Because Freedom Debt Relief has no New Zealand presence, you must use the U.S. contact channels published on its website or in your enrolment documents.
Contact channels available to you
Freedom Debt Relief provides three main contact methods: a U.S. phone number, email address, and mailing address. Phone is the fastest way to notify them of cancellation, but you may face time zone delays and long hold times. Email creates a written record and allows you to send detailed instructions; use registered email or email with read receipt to prove delivery. Postal mail to a U.S. address is slower but provides the strongest proof of notice if you need it for legal purposes.
If you enrolled through an intermediary platform such as an app store, credit counseling referral site, or third-party marketplace, contact that platform first. They may have separate cancellation and refund processes that bypass Freedom Debt Relief entirely.
Finding your account details and contract
Before you contact Freedom Debt Relief, locate your enrolment confirmation email, contract, or welcome letter. These documents will show your account number, the exact terms you agreed to, any cancellation notice periods, and the address Freedom Debt Relief provided for legal notices. If you cannot find these documents, request them from Freedom Debt Relief by email before you submit your cancellation notice.
Step-by-step cancellation process
Follow this sequence to cancel Freedom Debt Relief cleanly and protect your interests.
- Review your enrolment contract and Terms of Use carefully.
- Look for the cancellation notice period (often 30 days).
- Check for any termination fees or charges that apply if you cancel.
- Confirm what happens to funds held in your settlement account.
- Note any clause that requires written notice in a specific format.
- Gather all account and contact information.
- Your account number or customer ID.
- Your account representative's name and direct email if available.
- The official U.S. mailing address for legal notices (from your contract or the website).
- Your enrollment date and any settlement agreements already in place.
- Call Freedom Debt Relief on the U.S. phone number and verbally notify them of your cancellation request.
- Use a clear, direct statement: "I am requesting to cancel my account effective immediately" or "effective [date]."
- Confirm the cancellation notice period and ask whether it applies to you.
- Ask what happens to any funds in your account and when you will receive a refund or final statement.
- Ask the representative to email you a cancellation confirmation and account summary.
- Take notes of the call: date, time, representative's name, and any commitments made.
- Send a written cancellation notice by email and registered mail.
- Write a clear, formal email to Freedom Debt Relief's customer service address stating: "I request cancellation of my account [account number] effective immediately" and include your name, date of birth, and account email.
- Request confirmation of cancellation, a final account statement, and details of any refund.
- Send this email and save the read receipt or delivery confirmation.
- Also print and send this notice by registered mail (or international tracked post) to the U.S. address shown in your contract. This creates legal proof of notice if you later dispute the cancellation date.
- Track and document all responses.
- Keep every email, call note, and postal receipt in a folder labeled "Freedom Debt Relief Cancellation."
- If the company does not respond within 7 business days, send a follow-up email marked "Urgent: Cancellation Notice - Second Request."
- Take screenshots of your online account if you can log in and see confirmation that your status has changed to "cancelled" or "inactive."
- Request and verify your final account statement.
- Ask for an itemized statement showing all payments you made, all fees charged, any settlement agreements completed, and the balance (if any) owed to you or owing to creditors.
- Verify that no new charges appear after your cancellation date.
- If funds remain in your account, clarify whether they will be refunded to you or transferred to creditors.
Pro tip: Do not rely on the company to cancel on your behalf after one phone call. Written notice-email plus postal mail-is your proof that you cancelled on a specific date. This matters if the company later claims you never cancelled or tries to charge you again.
What happens to your account after cancellation
Cancellation does not instantly erase your relationship with Freedom Debt Relief, and understanding what comes next protects you from surprise charges and creditor contact.
Service suspension and account closure
Once you cancel, Freedom Debt Relief will stop negotiating settlements on your behalf. However, any settlements already in progress or already completed may continue under their existing terms. Your account will be marked as inactive or closed in the company's system. You will lose access to any online account portal or reporting tools the company provided.
Warning: Cancellation does not automatically stop creditors from contacting you. You are responsible for managing your debts directly with creditors or finding alternative debt help after Freedom Debt Relief is gone. If you do not manage your accounts, your credit score may continue to suffer.
Funds and final transfers
If you have money held in a Freedom Debt Relief settlement account, the company will either refund it to you or use it to settle accounts according to your original agreement. Request a detailed breakdown of what happens to every dollar. Some contracts allow the company to hold funds for a period after cancellation to complete pending settlements. If this applies to you, ask for a timeline and confirmation of when you will receive any remaining balance.
Creditor notification and ongoing communication
Continue to monitor mail and emails from your creditors after you cancel. They may not know immediately that you are no longer working with Freedom Debt Relief. If a creditor contacts you about a debt settlement, confirm whether it was already negotiated by Freedom Debt Relief (and what balance applies) or whether you need to handle it yourself. Keep all creditor communications as evidence of your debt status and any agreements.
Refund eligibility and what to expect
Refunds are not guaranteed, but several pathways exist to recover money from Freedom Debt Relief.
When freedom debt relief may refund you
You are most likely to receive a refund if you cancel within the cooling-off period (typically 14 days from enrolment under New Zealand consumer law), if the company failed to deliver the service as described, or if you paid through a platform like Google Play or the App Store with its own refund policy. If you can prove that Freedom Debt Relief made false promises about settlement timelines or guaranteed outcomes, you have grounds to claim a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act for breach of acceptable quality.
Some contracts allow you to cancel and recover fees if no settlement has been completed within a certain timeframe. Check your agreement for this clause. Stopee recommends calculating how much you have paid in fees and comparing it to any debt actually settled-this strengthens your refund argument.
Refunds through chargebacks
If Freedom Debt Relief refuses to refund you, contact your bank or credit card issuer and initiate a chargeback dispute. Explain that the service was not delivered as promised or that you cancelled within the legal cooling-off period but were not refunded. Provide copies of your contract, cancellation emails, and any evidence of failed promises. Your bank will investigate, and if they find in your favour, the charge will be reversed and the money returned to your account.
Refunds through the commerce commission
Lodge a complaint with the New Zealand Commerce Commission if you believe Freedom Debt Relief engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct. While the Commission cannot force a refund directly, a formal complaint puts pressure on the company and creates a record that supports your position if you pursue legal action or a chargeback dispute.
Pro tip: Stopee advises documenting every payment you made to Freedom Debt Relief with dates, amounts, and payment methods. This evidence is essential when requesting a refund or disputing charges.
Pricing and fees to understand before or after cancellation
Freedom Debt Relief charges are complex, and understanding them is critical when you decide whether to stay or cancel.
| Fee type | Typical cost | When charged | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup or enrolment fee | USD 300-500 | At signup | Possibly, if cancelled early |
| Settlement fee (percentage-based) | 15-25% of debt forgiven | After settlement completed | No-only if settlement fails |
| Monthly servicing fee | USD 20-50 | Monthly | Stops at cancellation |
| Creditor contact fee | USD 50-100 per contact | As negotiations occur | Disputed |
| Account maintenance (after cancellation) | Variable | If applicable per contract | Depends on terms |
| Currency conversion (NZ to USD) | 1-3% markup typical | Each transaction | Ask to refund on cancellation |
Because Freedom Debt Relief prices in U.S. dollars, any payment you made from a New Zealand bank account included currency conversion fees and exchange rate margins. When you request a refund or final statement, ask the company to show you the NZD amount you paid and the USD equivalent charged. You may be able to recover part of this conversion premium.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Cancellation mistakes can cost you money, damage your credit further, or leave you liable for fees you thought you cancelled.
Relying on verbal cancellation only
Many customers call Freedom Debt Relief, hear the representative say "your account is cancelled," and assume it is done. It is not. Without written documentation, the company can claim you never requested cancellation, and months later you receive a surprise charge or debt-settlement bill. Always follow up a phone call with a written email and registered mail letter.
Not checking your funds and creditor status
You cancel Freedom Debt Relief but forget to confirm what happened to money in your settlement account. The company may have transferred it to creditors without your approval, or it may still be sitting in their account. Check your bank statements and your credit report (use a free service like Equifax or Experian New Zealand) to verify that your debts are reported correctly after cancellation. If a settlement was not completed as promised, you still owe the full original debt, and your credit score reflects this.
Ignoring creditor contact after cancellation
After you cancel Freedom Debt Relief, creditors will contact you directly. Some customers assume the debt is gone because Freedom Debt Relief stopped communicating. It is not. If you do not respond or negotiate, creditors may pursue legal action. Treat all post-cancellation creditor contact seriously, respond promptly, and explore hardship programs or payment plans if you cannot pay in full.
Failing to request a final account statement
You cancel and receive no final statement or closing summary from Freedom Debt Relief. Without this, you do not know how much they claim you owe them, what was settled, or what you still owe creditors. Request this document explicitly and follow up if it does not arrive within 14 days. This statement is your proof of the final state of your account and critical for disputing any future charges.
Not keeping copies of all communications
You email your cancellation request but delete the read receipt. You mail a registered letter but throw away the tracking number. Weeks later, Freedom Debt Relief claims they never received your cancellation notice. Without proof, you have no defence. Create a cancellation folder on your computer, print and file every email and postal receipt, and take screenshots of your account if possible.
Stopee sees these mistakes repeatedly, and they are all preventable. Discipline in record-keeping is your strongest protection.
Your cancellation checklist
Use this checklist to confirm you have completed every step.
| Task | Status | Date completed |
|---|---|---|
| Located and reviewed enrolment contract | [ ] Done | ___________ |
| Identified account number and representative details | [ ] Done | ___________ |
| Called Freedom Debt Relief and verbally requested cancellation | [ ] Done | ___________ |
| Sent cancellation email with read receipt | [ ] Done | ___________ |
| Mailed cancellation letter by registered post to U.S. address | [ ] Done | ___________ |
| Received cancellation confirmation from company | [ ] Done | ___________ |
| Received final account statement with all fees and balances | [ ] Done | ___________ |
| Verified no charges after cancellation date | [ ] Done | ___________ |
| Checked credit report for accuracy after 30 days | [ ] Done | ___________ |
| Initiated chargeback or refund dispute (if applicable) | [ ] Done | ___________ |
| Lodged Commerce Commission complaint (if applicable) | [ ] Done | ___________ |
| Set up alternative debt management or hardship plan | [ ] Done | ___________ |
Comparing your options: stay, cancel, or escalate
Before you commit to cancellation, consider whether escalating a complaint or switching to an alternative debt service might serve you better.
| Option | Best for | Timeline | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancel immediately | You are dissatisfied and want out now | 30-60 days for full exit | Lose future settlement benefits; keep paid fees |
| Lodge a refund dispute with your bank | You believe you were misled or charged unfairly | 30-90 days (bank investigation) | No cost to you; risk is company disputes the charge |
| File a Commerce Commission complaint | You want a formal record and company pressure | 60+ days | No cost; creates leverage for negotiation |
| Negotiate a reduced cancellation fee | You want out but want to minimize cost | 2-4 weeks for negotiation | Lower than full cancellation cost |
| Switch to a non-profit debt counsellor | You need ongoing debt help but trust Freedom Debt Relief less | Immediate; continues your debt work | Often free or low-cost (NZ agencies) |
| Hybrid: cancel + pursue chargeback | You want to exit and recover your money | 60+ days (parallel processes) | Higher chance of refund recovery |
Stopee recommends the hybrid approach if Freedom Debt Relief has failed to deliver results: cancel immediately to stop future charges, then pursue a chargeback to recover fees already paid. This gives you the fastest exit and the best chance of financial recovery.
Customer reviews and real-world cancellation experiences
New Zealand customers who have cancelled Freedom Debt Relief report mixed experiences. Those who cancelled early and requested refunds faced resistance from the company and ultimately relied on bank chargebacks to recover money. Customers who completed settlements reported being charged high percentage fees (18-25%) with little flexibility. Those who cancelled after discovering the service was not negotiating effectively said the hardest part was confirming cancellation across time zones and getting written proof that the company had stopped charging.
Common themes: written documentation is essential, expect delays in responses because the company is U.S.-based, and do not assume the company will proactively notify your creditors that you have cancelled. Your most reliable exit path is a cancellation email plus registered mail, followed by a chargeback if the company refuses to refund or continues charging after you cancel.
How to escalate if freedom debt relief refuses to cancel
If the company ignores your cancellation request or continues charging after you have notified them, escalate immediately.
Step 1: escalate within the company
Email Freedom Debt Relief's compliance or legal department (find the address on their website or in fine print of your contract). Write: "I have requested cancellation on [date] and have not received confirmation. I am escalating this matter to your compliance team. Please respond within 7 business days." This creates a formal escalation record and often triggers a faster response.
Step 2: file a chargeback dispute with your bank
Contact your New Zealand bank immediately and initiate a dispute for any charge made after your cancellation date. Provide your cancellation email, postal receipt, and any evidence that the company continued charging you. The burden is on Freedom Debt Relief to prove the charge was legitimate. Most banks rule in your favour if you can show you requested cancellation.
Step 3: lodge a formal commerce commission complaint
Visit the Commerce Commission website (beehive.govt.nz) and file a complaint. Attach copies of your contract, cancellation requests, and any refused refund requests. The Commission will contact Freedom Debt Relief and demand a response. While they cannot force a refund directly, the complaint puts official pressure on the company and creates a public record.
Step 4: seek legal advice
If the amounts involved are substantial and the company continues to refuse cancellation or refunds, consult a New Zealand lawyer who specializes in consumer law. Some may offer a free initial consultation. You may be able to pursue a small claims court action or negotiate a settlement with legal backing.
Contact details for freedom debt relief cancellation
Because Freedom Debt Relief operates from the United States with no New Zealand office, use the following contact methods to cancel:
U.S. mailing address for legal notices
Check your enrolment contract or welcome letter for the official mailing address. If you cannot locate it, visit Freedom Debt Relief's website and look for "Contact Us" or "Legal Notices" sections. A typical address format is shown as "Freedom Debt Relief, [Department Name], [U.S. State City and ZIP Code]." Send your registered cancellation letter to this address.
Email and phone contacts
Your enrolment email will include a customer service email address and the U.S. phone number for account services. These are your primary channels for cancellation notification. Always request email confirmation of your cancellation and a final account statement.
When to contact a new zealand advocate
If you are unsure whether you have cancelled correctly, are facing resistance from Freedom Debt Relief, or want professional guidance, contact Stopee or a New Zealand consumer advocacy service. Stopee specializes in cross-border cancellations and understands the unique challenges of exiting U.S. services from New Zealand. Our platform has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted services, recover refunds, and protect their rights.
Final thoughts: your power to cancel
Cancelling Freedom Debt Relief is within your control, even though the company is based overseas. You have clear rights under New Zealand consumer law, multiple contact channels, and escalation options if the company resists. The key is following a structured process: written notice by email and registered mail, documentation of every communication, and a chargeback or Commerce Commission complaint if refunds are refused.
Do not be intimidated by the distance or complexity. Freedom Debt Relief must respect your cancellation request, refund eligible fees, and stop charging you. Stopee empowers you with the knowledge and tools to make this happen. Start with your cancellation letter today-send it by email and registered post, keep your proof, and follow up. If the company resists, escalate without hesitation. You have earned the right to exit, and Stopee is here to support your journey to debt freedom on your own terms.