Have anyone out there ever used consumers credit couseling services? If so, what did you think of them?
472492
DO check out the company you want to work with, but my\nfriend paid off $47,000 in debt his "friend" got him into.\nHis credit is now good enough that he just built a house.
972175
is that good credit or bad?
132055
they are a rip off-  go to ripoffreport.com and read.  They contacted me and promised how the money would come out and that they would advance $500.00 to my account and take away $129.95 leaving me with about $370.00.  They took away the $129.95 and never put the $500.00 in.  I am now so overdrawn that it is terrible.  If you go to google and type in creditplusrewards all one word and you will get the information.
665658
I used to bank with them too.  I am now with CHASE, and they have been AWESOME so far.  Shockingly so.  When I went to sign up with them, they gave us free checking, free billpay, free checks, and even threw in $50 extra into our account.  The service has been fantastic, and their hours are much better than most other banks in town.\n\nI would also keep an eye out for Wachovia.  I banked with them on the east coast and they were phenomenal!!  They just took over some other bank and will be opening up areas in Denver VERY soon.  \n\nEither way, find out what works best for you.
1045910
Yes I have, and they dont do anything they promise to. They never return phone calls. Im wondering if they are even a real company. I getting ready to file a dispute with my credit card co. to see if I can get my money back. Contact me if you have the same problem with these people.
319289
Have not really thought about it. For some reason in my area, Walmart does not seem to be offering the products I want at better prices than what I can get elsewhere. When I visit friends and family in the midwest it seem the Walmart there seem have better offers.\n\nAs far as the services they offer I have not taken advance of their credit or banking service.
864235
the ones that banks mainly use are experian and equifax. I've personally used experian. They usually let you have a 30day free trial of your credit report online, or you can pay for a paper copy which is less than £10. although i think you have to pay a bit more to check your credit score, which is what the banks use. only an extra £5.99 or something on top of your free trial. so it aint that bad. and you can cancel after the 30days is up. \nthe report is also good for checking credit fraud.
1165037
Most are scams.  Credit counselors, on the other hand, if reputable, can be helpful.  Check with your better business bureau or the state attorney general's office before proceeding with either option.
885252
No, you aren't the only one that finds this confusing.  It seems like the more I read--the more they contradict eachother.  I think it is just a hit or miss---sometimes the advice you get works, sometimes it doesn't.  What worries me is that some of the people that have used the advice received have had negative effects on their credit---its really confusing.
392979
I finance people (and first time home buyers) with credit challenges.  There are limits though to what a mortgage company can do.\n\nAs far as our friend that said don't search for companies on the internet, I would say, as a Mortgage specialist, that he is only half right.  I mean really, I have seen people get ripped off from mortgage companies in the yellow pages, as well as the internet.  They are just harder to get to when over the internet.  Luckily, I am a mortgage banker and have offices in New York, so you have nothing to worry about.\n\nIf you would like to possibly get pre-approved for a mortgage, please contact me at timothy.kazee@americanhm .com and we can talk more about this.  If nothing else, I would be more than happy to direct you on how to get to the point of home ownership.  \n\nI will look forward to your call.
829607
I use them to list my properties and I have no complaints. But I hear they charge you as a renter. \n\nBecause you're renting a guest house, you're better off posting your needs on www.craigslist.org or searching ads on www.thepennysaver.com. \n\nRegards
1086341
Credit counselors are great and they are free. There are millions online, but be careful to do a background check on them. My parents used Genisis.
276111
Before wasting any of your money on a credit repair agency, read the links below.  Much of the work you can handle yourself.\n\nNon-profits will still charge you a fee, they are just not as high.  In my opinion they are still not worth the money.
974266
My husband and I learned a great deal from just studying our own credit on experian.com.  You pay $10 a month and you can view your credit and history anytime.  We disputed many old or false credit histories and now our credit is much better.  About 100 points higher.  It also has a credit score simulator where it points out the things you personally could do to make your score this number or that number.  I would recommend doing that first.
938453
I highly recommend you call these folks\nhttp://www.cccsintl.org/\nCCCS or Consumer Credit Counseling Service (if you are in the US)\nThey are a non profit credit counseling service that all major credit card, irs, government agencies recommend to help folks with bills.. might even prevent bankruptcy.. They can work with you and help you with contacting your creditors and what to say and help you settle with them, might even negotiate lower payments. etc.. I used to work for a major department store dept collection department and we always referred the worse cases to these folks... goodluck!
15862
There are, but I would advise some caution.  One site is www.creditexpert.com which is run and operated by Experian.  You sign up online and give them your credit card number and personal information, try out a credit monitoring service designed to help prevent identity theft, and in return receive a free credit report and credit score.  The only problem is that you must cancel the service before the free trial ends (usually 30 days).  If you forget, they charge your credit card automatically for 1 year of credit monitoring service.  Also, to cancel the service you have to call the company and wait on hold around 15-20 minutes.  I would actually recommend getting a free copy of your credit report from www.annualcreditreport.com and then paying only around $5 extra for your credit score per credit bureau.
925726
Some of the points Chris J made are good, but I have to disagree with his recommendation to obtain any sort of credit card.  Easy credit and lack of self control is probably what put you where you are today.  Trying to manage some "good credit" while you are fixing the "bad credit" is a losing proposition.  Develop a budget and focus on paying off all of your outstanding debt.  DO NOT use credit for anything while you do it.  Go to a cash system (maybe a debit card).  If, and only if, you finally become financially responsible, then you can consider building your credit.  Google Dave Ramsey and read about his ideas.  Despite the myths perpetuated by the media, you don't need credit.  The only credit you should ever use is a home loan.  I know someone who had no FICO score and still managed to acquire a mortgage.  \n\nYour best bet right now is...if you can't pay cash for it, you can't afford it.