How we write, review, and correct our content

Our mission

Lighten Debt exists to help everyday US consumers understand their options for getting out of high-interest debt. We publish guides, calculators, and case-style examples in plain English, and we match qualified users with vetted debt consolidation lenders.

Independence

Our editorial team operates independently of our lender partnerships. Lenders cannot pay for favorable coverage, mentions, or ranking. We regularly publish articles that recommend against borrowing when it isn't in the reader's interest, even when doing so reduces our own revenue.

How we source claims

• Statistics come from primary sources: the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Federal Reserve, Bureau of Labor Statistics, FDIC, and peer-reviewed research. We cite the source inline.
• Legal and regulatory claims are checked against current federal and state law. We are not attorneys; for personalized legal advice, consult one.
• APR and product examples reflect market ranges observed at publication time. Rates change; we date every article and update the ones that depend on current numbers.
• Illustrative math (payment scenarios, interest projections) uses standard amortization formulas and is clearly labeled as an example, not a guarantee.

No fake testimonials

We do not publish invented client quotes, stock-photo "customers," or fabricated case studies. Any personal story on our site is either a real, permissioned account or clearly labeled as an illustrative scenario.

Writing and review

Every article is drafted by a member of our editorial team and reviewed for accuracy, tone, and adherence to this policy before publication. We use AI tools as a drafting aid in some cases; every published piece is reviewed and edited by a human before it goes live.

Updates and freshness

Financial products change. We periodically re-review our evergreen guides, refresh statistics, and update APR ranges. When we make a material change to an article, the "last updated" date reflects it.

Corrections

If you spot an error — a wrong number, a broken link, a misstated rule — please email info@lightendebt.com. We investigate every correction request, and if we got something wrong, we fix it and add a note to the article explaining the change.

Funding and disclosure

Lighten Debt earns referral fees when we match qualified users with partner lenders who go on to complete an application or fund a loan. You never pay us, and the fee doesn't change your rate or terms. Full details: affiliate disclosure.

What we are not

Lighten Debt is not a lender, bank, law firm, credit counselor, or debt settlement company. Nothing on this site is legal, tax, or personalized financial advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed professional.

Contact

Feedback, corrections, or questions about this policy: info@lightendebt.com.