Leading Debt Settlement Company Warns of Need for Industry Standards to
                      Protect Consumers and Creditors

    PHOENIX, May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Debt Settlement USA, Inc., a leading
debt settlement company, today announced that the number of consumers who
are choosing debt settlement as an alternative to personal bankruptcy is
significantly increasing. Debt Settlement USA expects to see a 40 percent
increase in the number of consumers in 2008 who see debt settlement as the
best solution to help them deal with financial hardships and a weakening
economy versus last year.

    "We are in the most difficult credit environment in recent history,"
Jack Craven, President of Debt Settlement USA, said, "so it's no surprise
that, taken as a whole, the debt settlement industry has shifted into
overdrive. Today's economic environment is driving an unprecedented number
of consumers into additional financial hardships, increasing the number of
consumers seeking relief assistance from legitimate debt settlement
companies."

    Currently, charge-off and delinquency rates are rising and bankruptcy
filings increased by 38 percent from 2006 to 2007, according to Standard &
Poor's Credit Card Quality Indexes. While homes targeted for foreclosure
rose by more than 100 percent from 2006 to 2007, $700 billion in Adjustable
Rate Mortgages are due to reset by December of 2008 which will present new
challenges to consumers struggling with debt issues already.

    Traditionally, consumers have turned to debt settlement companies as an
alternative to bankruptcy when faced with financial hardship. With the
number of consumers facing financial hardships expected to grow in the
coming months due to the weakening economy, Debt Settlement USA emphasizes
the critical need to establish standards within the debt settlement
industry now in order to protect consumers from fraudulent and unethical
debt settlement practices.

    Legitimate debt settlement companies can help people get out of debt
efficiently and expeditiously by negotiating a settlement for a portion of
the debt with their creditors. For example, on average, Debt Settlement USA
settles clients' debts for 40 - 60 percent, enabling them to settle the
debts that they bring into the program within 18 - 36 months.

    Legitimate debt settlement programs also help creditors settle accounts
more quickly, avoid third party expenses, and gain more control over this
segment of their portfolio. Additionally, it helps them salvage
relationships with customers who were in good standing prior to their
hardship. Ultimately this leads to new business opportunities with these
customers in the future.

    "A legitimate, certified debt settlement company can be utilized as
part of both consumers' recovery efforts, as well as creditors' collection
efforts. The key is to distinguish effective and ethical debt settlement
practices from fraudulent practices that are, unfortunately, rampant within
the industry," Craven said.

    According to Debt Settlement USA, consumers and creditors should review
the practices of debt settlement companies prior to entering a debt
settlement agreement. A legitimate debt settlement company should meet the
following guidelines:



    -- Have written policies and procedures.
    -- Be a member of the Better Business Bureau.
    -- Be required to thoroughly complete a "Debt Settlement Company
       Questionnaire," similar to that which creditors require for their
       collection agencies and other vendors.
    -- Welcome oversight by regulatory agencies and strive to become a
       certified vendor for creditors.
    -- Have written compliance practices, including the presence of a General
       Counsel with significant experience in the credit industry, a
       compliance process, a customer dispute resolution review process, and
       no past or pending litigation.

    About Debt Settlement USA

    Debt Settlement USA, Inc. is the leading debt settlement company,
offering an honorable and ethical alternative to bankruptcy. Located in
Phoenix, Arizona, the company services 15,000 clients, and has settled over
$100 Million in balances since inception in 2003. On average, Debt
Settlement USA settles clients' debts for 40 - 60 percent of the
outstanding balances that are brought into the program within 18 to 36
months.

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