Are there any consumer credit counseling services that are reputable?

Question

I'm talking about those that are in business to actually help people that are having credit problems, and are not just trying to make money off the problems of others.

Answer 1

Check out www.totaldebtsolutionsllc.com  and their website.  They handle credit repair, debt settlement, tradeline programs , and more.   It costs you nothing to call their toll free number and see what they have to say.  They have helped my family so much that I recommend them to everyone.

Answer 2

Be very careful with credit

counseling agencies because a lot of

them are scams. They negotiate with

the credit card companies so that

you can make one payment to the

agency and then they're supposed to

forward your money to the credit

card company, but many times they

don't forward your money or they're

late - and you're right back where

you started. They try to pass

themselves off as not-for-profit but

they are for profit - and guess where

they make their money? Do you

belong to a credit union by any

chance? If not, is there a family

member who belongs to one who

could sign you up? Credit unions

often have in-house credit

counselors and their service is free -

plus you know they're on your side.

Try calling your Attorney General's

office and ask for consumer services.

Ask them to give you list of credit

counseling agencies. If they won't

do that, ask if they can give you a

list of the ones they''ve had trouble

with. There has to be some branch

of government in your town that can

steer you in the right direction. I

can't emphasize enough to

thoroughly research any credit

counseling company you choose and

be very careful when they ask you to

sign a contract.

SELF HELP

start your own debt snowball. You

start with the smallest amount owed

and staying current with all others

making the minimum payments and

pay the smallest off first. Then add

what you were paying them to the

next smallest balance and work your

way up the ladder. By doing this,

you feel accomplishment with each

one that bites the dust.