Is credit card debt relief worth it this fall? What borrowers should consider now.

Debt relief can offer relief from high credit card balances, but there are a few things borrowers should consider before pursuing it. J Studios/Getty Images

Credit card debt has officially reached uncomfortable levels for many Americans. Average balances are high , leaving millions of people financially stretched. At the same time, sticky (and rising) inflation continues to drive up the cost of everyday expenses — from rent to groceries — further straining budgets and making it even harder for borrowers to find room to pay down what they owe . As a result, carrying card debt may no longer feel like a temporary setback but a growing financial burden with no clear end in sight.

That reality is fueling a renewed focus on what credit card debt relief can offer. From formal