You’ve probably heard the old expression, “you can run but you can’t hide”. Nowhere is this truer than when it comes to debt. You might be able to run away from debt for a while but you can’t hide. It will eventually catch up with you and if you’re heavily in debt, it could smack you up the side of the head. There are ways to get debt relief and one of the best is through a consumer credit counseling (debt relief) agency.
1. Ask friends and family members
First, you will need a debt relief (credit counseling) agency. One good way to find one is by talking with your friends and family. Debt is such a big problem for Americans today, the odds are that at least one of them has used a credit counseling agency. If so, you can talk with that person about how satisfied they were with the service they received from their agency and how much it cost.
2. Is it a non-profit?
When evaluating debt relief agencies, be sure to check to see if it’s a non-profit. These agencies often provide their services free or at very low cost. The reason they can do this is because banks and credit card companies usually underwrite their costs. If you are unable to find an agency in your area and have to go online, make sure that it doesn’t just say that it’s a non-profit but really is one. This is because, unfortunately, there are credit counseling companies that well advertise themselves as non-profits but are really in it to make money off you.
3. What are its credentials?
A good credit counseling agency should have a good rating with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). It should have been around for a number of years so that it has a verifiable history. The agency you choose should probably be a member of the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA), the Association of Credit Counseling Professionals (ACCP) or some other well-regarded association.
4. Check with your Attorney General’s office
If you choose an Internet-based credit counseling company, you might check with your state’s Attorney General’s office to see if complaints have been made against it. You might also look online for reviews to see how people who have used the agency felt about their experience and the company’s charges.
5. Avoid agencies that charge upfront fees
Legitimate agencies will rarely, if ever, require you to pay upfront fees. As noted above, most of the good ones charge either nothing or very low fees and never ask for money up front. If a credit counseling service requests money up front, run and do not walk to the nearest exit – it’s probably a scam organization.
6. Ask for everything – and in writing
An honest and reliable debt relief or credit counseling agency will provide all the information that you request and in writing. They will give you a clear picture of their structure and policies and any fees – if applicable. You should also ask for background information on their counselors as they should be professionals with at least several years of experience.
7. Let us help with debt relief
Our debt counselors have years of experience working with credit card and personal loan companies. They can negotiate with your creditors to get your debts and interest rates reduced to help you get out of debt and probably faster than if you went to a consumer credit counseling agency. We charge no upfront fees so you have nothing to lose by putting us to work. We’ve saved our clients thousands of dollars on their unsecured debts and could probably do the same thing for you. Call our toll-free number today to learn more about debt settlement and how we could put it to work for you
