Should I ask where leads come from?

Yes. Vendors should describe their sources (owned forms, affiliates, media buying) and enforce content rules on them. We audit sources against a compliance checklist.

Is a sample lead a fair test?

A redacted sample shows field structure and consent proof. Real performance only shows in a funded pilot — start with a small cap.

What return rate is normal?

It varies by source and filters. Track your own return rate by campaign and source, and treat any vendor who won't share source-level data as a risk.

How to Evaluate a Debt Relief Lead Vendor: A Checklist

The questions to ask any lead vendor before funding a wallet: consent proof, returns, exclusivity and de-dupe.

Consent proof

Ask for a sample consent record. It should include timestamp, IP, page URL, exact consent language and a TrustedForm or Jornaya certificate. If a vendor can't produce one, stop there.

Exclusivity, in writing

'Exclusive' should mean sold to one buyer, ever. 'Shared' should have a hard cap — ours is three buyers — and a guarantee the lead is never sold to you twice.

Returns policy

A credible vendor accepts returns for disconnected numbers, duplicates and out-of-filter leads, with a defined window (ours is 72 hours) and credits — not excuses.

De-dupe window

Ask how long phone and email are de-duplicated. Thirty days is a reasonable floor for real-time inventory.

Pricing transparency

You should see the full price table before you fund, know when your balance is charged, and be able to set caps. If pricing requires a sales call, ask why.