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Credit Counseling Companies
Credit counseling companies are not always what they appear to be. While many credit counseling companies, both for profit and not for profit, are very legitimate businesses with only the consumers best interest at heart, some unscrupulous operators are giving that industry a bad name. A few issues have arisen over the last couple of years that relate to the actual status of some companies that claim to be not for profit, how money they charge consumers, and who exactly pays the costs of some of these firms. Credit counseling companies in a number of states have drawn the attention of the Federal Trade Commissions office which has so far as to shut some of these businesses down completely and others have been fined and threatened with similar action if they do not change some of their practices. These charges have shone a new spotlight on a segment of the financial services sector, which had been operating with little attention, and out of control, according to some knowledgeable observers and industry watchers.
Several credit counseling services that have been under the Federal Trade Commissions magnifying glass are the National Consumer Council which has been masquerading as a not for profit agency while simply raking in profits like they were going out of style. One of the most famous or infamous amongst this group is Ameridebt that was shut down for defrauding individual Americans who were seeking debt relief of millions of dollars in hidden fees and charges. Other for profit companies providing credit counseling have also been exposed as serving several employers as they receive funding from the credit card industry to cover all of their overhead costs. Not only is the money they receive from clients pure gravy but also a lot of observers are questioning their loyalty to the people that they are in business to serve. Several class action lawsuits are already winding their way through the court system on this apparent conflict of interest.
Another major area of contention has arisen about the validity and effectiveness of the whole credit counseling process on the credit rating of the individual who goes through this process. There are a few flaws in the current process that actually make it harder and longer to regain your credit through this process than even through bankruptcy. If the intention is to avoid bankruptcy shouldnt credit counseling ameliorate this situation rather than making it worse? There are plenty of great credit counseling firms in the marketplace. Just be sure to do your checking first because sometimes credit counseling companies are not what they appear to be.
Original Delinquency Date
Dont sign a contract with the first company that you talk to since it will be to your benefit to shop around for the lowest rates.
What teenage girl can do without the latest tank top or shoes? Your creditors will have to agree to stop harassing you with collection and court proceedings and you agree to pay so much a month into an account that will pay back all of your creditors. If it is still possible for you to get additional credit, or negotiate a debt consolidation loan from a bank or other lending institution, then they will help you arrange that. Once that is complete you can once again begin to use credit as a mechanism to finance your needed purchases. Both offer the same services, which are advice to creditors and options to resolve pressing credit situations.
Once that is complete you can once again begin to use credit as a mechanism to finance your needed purchases.
Its important that youre as honest as possible about your financial situation and the amount of debt that you owe. Credit counseling is an effective way to get out from under a mountain of debt. You should also ask them what their fees or charges might be, both upfront and as part of any on-going proceedings.
If you follow these few basic steps then you should not only be able to avoid credit counseling through proper debt management, you will have a happier and less stressful life.
As far as FICO Score is concerned, it does not matter if you are enrolled in credit counseling program or not. For the debt in the one position youll pay the minimum amount plus the total AC. By working with debt negotiation services youll soon find yourself out of debt and on your way to a healthy financial situation. |
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