Central Ohio Debt Relief

Helping Ohioans Since 200620 Years in Business

As seen on NBC4 — struggling with credit-card debt?

DebtHelp founder Mark Carlyle joined NBC4’s Columbus Living to talk about a problem millions of Americans face: credit-card balances at near-record interest rates that minimum payments alone can take decades to pay off. DebtHelp is a Central-Ohio-based, BBB-Accredited debt settlement company that may be able to help you settle what you owe for a fraction of the balance — without a new loan.

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Episode 2 · August 2026

The Five Ways Out of Debt — and What Each One Actually Costs

NBC4 invited DebtHelp back to answer the question everyone asked after the first segment: okay — which option should I actually take?

There are only five ways out of unsecured debt. Keep paying the minimums, borrow to pay it off, bankruptcy, credit counseling, or settlement. Every one of them is right for somebody. So we put all five on screen against the same real balance — $19,148 at about 25% interest, the average of 1,037 real DebtHelp enrollments — and showed what each one costs.

The part that surprises people: the lowest interest rate on the board finishes second-worst. A 30-year refinance at 6.67% costs more than a 29.9% consolidation loan, because thirty years does the damage, not the rate. People shop for a rate when the number that actually costs them is the term.

See all five paths →

Episode 1 · July 2026

Finding Help With Your Credit Debt

The first conversation: why credit-card balances keep growing no matter how much you pay. Americans now carry roughly $1.25 trillion in credit-card debt, and making only the minimum payment can stretch a balance out for decades — with the interest costing more than the original purchases.

DebtHelp is a Central-Ohio-based debt settlement company helping Ohioans since 2006, and a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating.

Read the NBC4 article →

From the Episode 2 broadcast

Same $19,148 balance. Five very different bills.

The average DebtHelp client owes $19,148 at about 25% interest — the average of 1,037 real enrollments. Here is what each way out does to that same balance.

The path	Monthly	Months	Total paid
Keep paying the minimumsOver 30 years. You pay three times what you borrowed.	$590 falling	370	$57,905
Roll it into a 30-year refinanceLowest rate on the board — and it converts unsecured debt into debt secured by your home.	$123	360	$44,344
Consolidation loan — subprime credit29.9%. Many people in real trouble will not qualify.	$618	60	$37,100
Consolidation loan — fair credit22.9%. You still owe every dollar.	$539	60	$32,321
Credit counseling — debt management planRate drops to about 9%. Your cards get closed.	$442	60	$26,549
Chapter 13 bankruptcy in OhioAssumes a 100% repayment plan. Actual repayment varies by income and assets, and is often lower.	$441	60	$26,457
Debt settlement with DebtHelpThe payment plan a client actually signs, if completed as scheduled.	$361	50	$17,960

Illustration only, based on company averages. Figures assume completing the plan/term shown. Results vary. Not a guarantee of savings, time, or eligibility. Debt settlement may negatively affect your credit; creditors may continue collection efforts, including lawsuits; settled debt may be reported to the IRS as taxable income. DebtHelp is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice; for a bankruptcy determination, talk to a licensed bankruptcy attorney. Refinance excludes $2,000–$6,000 closing costs. Sources: Freddie Mac PMMS wk. 8/13/2026 · 28 U.S.C. 1930 · DebtHelp enrollment records.

Run these five paths on your own balance →

The Problem

America’s Credit Card Debt — 2026

The same numbers featured in the NBC4 segment — the scale of the credit-card debt problem facing American households today.

$1.25T

Total U.S. Credit-Card Debt

$7,900

Average Balance (Cardholders Carrying a Balance)

21%

Average Credit-Card Interest Rate

20+ yrs

Payoff Time on Minimum Payments

Sources: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Q1 2026 · LendingTree, 2025–26 · Payoff time: $7,900 balance at 21.5% APR, minimum payment of interest + 1% of balance.

DebtHelp, Inc. | DEBTHELPINC.COM | 866-332-8001

Real Result

One Client’s Real Result

Credit-Card Balance Owed

$23,363

→

Resolved For

$9,345

$14,018 less than the balance owed · Settled over 24 months

This is one client’s real result. Individual results vary. Not a guarantee.

How It Works

Three steps to relief

Free Review

Tell us about your debts and budget. No credit check, no commitment — just a clear picture.

Your Plan

We build one affordable monthly program around your budget instead of juggling minimum payments.

Settle & Recover

We negotiate directly with your creditors. You pay only after a settlement is reached.