In recent years, the firestorm of controversy surrounding the debt settlement industry has grown even more intense. Consumer complaints about the debt settlement industry have skyrocketed, as a search conducted at any consumer review website can readily confirm. State legislatures across the United States have enacted strict new rules for the debt settlement industry, with a number of states opting to outlaw for-profit debt settlement companies altogether. In addition, a number of state and federal agencies have initiated investigations into the debt settlement industry to determine whether laws such as fraud, deception, and false advertising are being flouted. As a growing number of top personal finance experts have begun to warn consumers against dealing with debt settlement companies, one of the chief complaints that has emerged is the claim the value of the services offered by these companies pales in comparison to the disproportionately high debt settlement fees that they charge, which can sometimes exceed 25% of the total amount owed.