In order to understand the full extent of the controversy that surrounds the debt settlement industry, one need look no further than the Internet. Over the last several years, virtually every website or online venue that is dedicated to consumer reviews has been overrun with hundreds of thousands of debt settlement complaints. The same phenomenon has occurred, offline as well - across the United States, community Better Business Bureaus have reported a virtual tidal wave of complaints against debt settlement companies. This overwhelming consumer response is part of what compelled lawmakers in a number of states to outlaw or severely restrict the practice of for-profit debt settlement firms. Before you decide to contract with a debt settlement company, be sure to research the firm's name on national and local Better Business Bureau websites in order to get a better feeling for the overall customer response to their firm's track record of success and past business practices.