If you are a financially overburdened consumer who is looking for a way out, you may be interested in learning more about the options that are available to you, including the possibility of a debt settlement solution. In most debt settlement situations, either you or a representative working on your behalf contacts your creditors and attempts to negotiate a settlement deal. In most cases, the offered settlement is a lump sum that is smaller than the total amount owed, with the justification that the creditor would be unlikely to be able to collect the entire amount due. In the early 2000s, the number of debt settlement firms pitching their services to consumers through aggressive advertising campaigns grew precipitously, and the industry flourished in the United States. However, it is unclear how many consumers have actually achieved freedom from debt in this fashion. Most research of the industry shows a very high rate of customer dissatisfaction. Most legal experts agree that consumers would be better served by undertaking the negotiation process on their own or contracting the services of a qualified debt settlement attorney.