anyone know any reputable debt counseling services?
375109
Primerica, and they'll help you for free.
1038150
Contact the Consumer credit counselling service who will work with you to create a debt management plan and they will take over all contact from your creditors,and collect a managable small payment and distribute it amongst your creditors...NB The Consumer Credit Counselling Service is a charitable organisation so will not charge you for their services
80332
STOP!\n\nBefore you go to a "Non-Profit" Credit Counseling company, you need to know the facts.\n\nFirst though, why do you want to get credit relief this way.  Are you trying to avoid Bankruptcy?\n\nSecond, Why can't you do it yourself? At least try.\nHeres the rub, if you go to those counseling companies, the creditors put on your credit report, "Handled by a credit counselor" (Or something to that effect)  If you go to try and buy a home at some point, and that shows up, it is the EXACT SAME as a Bankruptcy. \n\nWhat I would do, is call your creditors, and try and negotiate with them, if you can.  Tell them you can pay 50 cents on the dollar as long as they will do a payment plan.  It may not work, but only go to those Credit Counseling Companies if you absolutely have to.\n\nBest Wishes.
1116520
Yes!  I consolidated my debt using  a company called Auriton- they have a wonderful customer service team and it was easier than you'd believe.  Less than three years later and I am 100% debt free!
1159142
never heard of them but I recommend that you stay away from those jokers.... the best solution to all this debt settling is to make half your monthly payment twice a month... this cuts down on the exorbitant rates you get charged on your debt you have already accrued...
1141786
Yes, I believe so.  The best course of action is a debt management company instead of borrowing more.  Try In Charge Debt Solutions.  A friend uses them and seems very satisfied.  They call all your creditors, get your interest rate removed or reduced and consolidate your monthly bills for a lower payment than your total is now.  They charge a small monthly fee but the pay back amount is still less than if you did nothing.  Just do an internet search on In Charge Debt Solutions and they come up along with several others.
831889
How bad is it? Do you need a band-aid or a surgeon?\n\nHave you called consumer credit counseling?
30897
First thing you need to do is to find a debt management company for help.  Please stay away from debt consolidation loans or anything similar.  Find a debt management company only.  What they will do is, they will contact every creditors and make a deal, such as lowering your APR.  Then they make promise to pay certain amount every month.  They will take certain amount from your bank account every month and distribute to your creditors.  \n\nIf you go this route, you don't have to worry about getting threathend by the creditors.  Also, this helps with your credit score.\n\nFor a typical company they charge you anywhere between $20-$50 per month for this service, but it's well worth it because they also provide good financial advice for free.\n\nOne of the company I recommend is called Amerix Corporation.  They helped me get out of debt when I was in debt.  Good luck.
58558
Check out http://www.daveramsey.com or http://www.mytotalmoneymakeover.com for help - these are two of the BEST sites on the web for dealing with credit card and other types of debt.
876224
I'm doing this right now. It's best if you have or can get a low interest rate loan and pay off balances all in one spot. Debt consolidation companies ARE NOT necessarily the best way to go. Some creditors will not work with these companies. Also, it can reflect negatively on your credit report. \n\nI recently transferred two of my three credit card balances to one loan, then cut up the cards. Now, I'm making two payments instead of four, and it had helped a lot.\n\nI'd say talk to several credit counselors for ideas. Read a lot of websites. There are plenty out there. \n\nGood luck to you!
341665
Check to see if there is a Consumer Credit Counseling Service in your area.  Also check with HUD (US Govt office of Housing and Urban Development).  They have loan programs that require people to go through credit counseling first.  These are usually free programs through reputable organizations.
1187360
As a former financial counselor, I can let you know of what to look for in a debt management company prior to enrolling. I also am enrolled in debt management, so I know what helps. Make sure you find a company with the following:\n\n1) A company who is genuinely trying to help consumers. A company who is looking for the consumer's best interests will not only counsel you, but they may take you through a budget, analyze your situation, provide free financial material, etc. In other words they don't just try to enroll you. You should never feel pressured.\n2) A company who is non-profit, certified, and has a good track record with the BBB. A company who is non-profit may ask for a donation but it is purely voluntary. All your payments should go to your creditors. Also there are regulation agencies in place to weed out the "shady" companies, so you should make sure they are certified and a responsible member of the BBB.\n3) A company that answers all your questions. You probably have lots of questions, but a counselor who is knowledgable AND certified will be able to walk you through step by step, and explain thoroughly every step of the process. \n\nIf you are interested in the company I worked for, it is http://www.incharge.org . They have a great relationship with the Defense Department as soldiers that are in financial trouble are often referred to them. If you are interested in the company I have an account with, it is http://www.careonecredit.org/ . Both of these companies are registered with the BBB and have outstanding reputations. \n\nThere are plenty out there though, so you should find the one that best suits your needs. I hope that you get to where you want to be and don't ever give up! Patience will heal your credit. There is no quick answer. Good Luck!
862785
Probably Consumer Counseling Service. They consolidate your debys and lower your monthly payments. They work with the creditors and can even lower your interest rates. They charge a VERY minimal amount to process your account and are quite good.
874347
Going to credit counseling is almost equivalent to filing bankruptcy, do not go to credit counseling,  your credit will be ruined if you do. If you own a home, is the best way to go, to refinance it and pay off your debt, & obtain a low interest rate, if your fico is desent, sorry there is no company that works well, you simply can't trust them.\n\nThe way it works is they take a portion of your payment (which they keep) & send the rest to the creditors, ("negotiate it" ) whenever you negotiate, or settle balances or payments with your creditors it is reported to the credit bureaus as a settlement,for less than the amount.\n\nWhen you obtain a credit card, you sign a disclosure saying you promise to pay on time and as agreed, as agreed is when you signed on the dotted line, therefore it must be kept as agreed.\n\nWhatever you do, do not go to any of these companies, as I've said it will ruin your credit and if you are planning on purchasing a home any time soon, you won't be able to, having gone to credit counseling, (credit counseling) in the lender's eyes means you are not able to manage your bills and cannot pay on time, (you are a distressed consumer) therefore they couldn't approve a bigger responsibility such as a mortgage loan. \nRead these very important articles:\n\n(Knowledge is power)\n\nhttp://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/03/credittestimony.htm\n\nhttp://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/repair.htm\n\nhttp://www.consumeraffairs.com/news03/credit_counseling.html\n\nhttp://www.consumeraffairs.com/debt_counsel/
276485
find a reputable credit counseling agency...get an additional job if possible.\n\ncredit counselor company will act as a middle man to your creditors and will negotiate a lower rate for you and also get some of the balance wiped out....you will pay the credit counseling comany the payment for all your creditors along with a small fee...\n\ncheck out the wikipedia entry below regarding credit counseling!
12932
Credit counselors probably would help.\n\nYou might find the book below to be useful.\n\nNow is the time to straighten out your problem before it becomes overwhelming!!
763544
Credit repair services are a hoax.  Avoid them.\n\nCredit counseling services, however, aren't about your FICO, but about debt reduction. Some of these have a bad reputation, too, so only use them as a last resort and read all of the fine print.\n\nThe only way to improve your credit is to start rebuilding it over time. Get a low-fee secured credit card. Pay it off monthly, and let time heal your credit.