Questions to Ask a Credit Counseling Service about Debt Relief

Debt relief is a topic on a lot of consumers' minds these days, and with good reason. American credit card debt in 2001 was $692 billion, triple the amount from 1989. In that same time period, the average credit card increase for a middle-class family was 75%. The amounts were even higher for low-income families and senior citizens. At one time, such a high amount of credit card debt would seem frivolous as buyers spent money they didn't have on luxury items such as electronics or jewelry. Today, however, in less stable economic times and a poor job market, more people are turning to credit cards as a way to extend their income. More and more debt is being rung up for everyday items such as groceries and medical bills. How can people get real help with debt relief?

Credit counseling services were originally established by credit card companies who wanted to get at least some of their money back before a client decided to declare bankruptcy. While that may seem shady to some people, for others it is a legitimate way to pay the debt they owe.

When seeking debt relief, however, be wary and be an informed consumer. Do your research before signing on with any one service. Here are some questions to ask:

* How much does it cost? Many less-than-reputable services charge hundreds of dollars to start up, money that doesn't go to any of your creditors.

* Does the service notify credit bureaus about your enrollment in their program? Some do and some don't. Creditors may still elect to put a bad mark on your credit report, but the agency you are looking at for debt relief shouldn't.

* What services are offered? Do they offer a range of solutions from trouble-shooting before finances are a big problem to debt management. Beware of companies promising too quick a solution or promising to "fix" your credit report.

* What are the benefits of belonging to one particular group over another? For example, some services offer newsletters and budgeting tips, all to help you become more stable when your debt is paid off.

* Are they a member of the Better Business Bureau? If that is not advertised, check them out with BBB first.

With time, patience and diligence, you can become debt free.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Debt-Relief-Solutions.com. He provides more debt consolidation, credit counseling, repair and free debt relief information that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

---

Assess Your Financial Attitude and Eliminate Your Debt Forever

Want to know if your attitude towards your finances is... Read More

Mandatory Credit Counseling for Those Considering Bankruptcy

Most Americans are aware of the sweeping changes in U.S.... Read More

Bankruptcy: What You Need to Know

Personal bankruptcy is a legal way to give people with... Read More

Questions to Ask a Credit Counseling Service about Debt Relief

Debt relief is a topic on a lot of consumers'... Read More

4 Simple Ways to Solve Your Debt Burden

Getting Behind Getting behind on your debts owed can be... Read More

Reduce Your Debt

Do you want to reduce your debt? Having trouble paying... Read More

Debt Settlement

What is debt settlement?Debt Settlement is a process to settle... Read More

A History of Money and Banking Secrets That Banks Dont Want Published

A History of Money and TradeTo start with a history... Read More

Going Bankrupt in the World

It all starts by defaulting on an obligation: Money owed... Read More

Repair Bad Credit Yourself

In March 2005, the U.S. financial services industry succeeded in... Read More

Credit Card Debt & the Unfairness of the Universal Default Clause

Let's look at a real world example: A woman purchased... Read More

Debt and Your Dreams

You may not realize what that credit card bill is... Read More

Currency Trading Fee Concept

Troubles with Global Economy; Do you see future problems with... Read More

Bank Like a Banker

The business of banking has changed dramatically over the last... Read More

How To Get Out Of Debt

If you have found yourself in a position where you... Read More

Stop Debt Collectors

Can you stop debt collectors ? . . .You better... Read More

Craving For Financial Freedom

Have you ever felt trapped in a Rat Race and... Read More

Can You Escape the Trap of Ever Growing Debt?

It's difficult not to be concerned when facing numbers like... Read More

How to Deal with Bill Collectors

So you've screwed up. You're drowning in debt. Maybe the... Read More

Debt

We all know about debt. If you don't have too... Read More

Drowning in Debt? Tips and Tricks for Getting Out of Hot Water with Creditors

Do you, like millions of other Americans, feel like you're... Read More

Debt Elimination 1

If you have multiple debts, you may well be wishing... Read More

IVA: Individual Voluntary Arrangement

What Is an IVAThe IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) was introduced... Read More

Is There A Way Out Of Your Debt Problems?

Do you have multiple debts? Do you have just one... Read More

Free Quick and Easy Money Saving Tips ? Part 1

With the high cost of gasoline and the amount of... Read More

The 7 Secrets to Getting?and Staying?Out of Debt

As vice president of the American Credit Foundation, a nonprofit... Read More

A Debt Elimination Process Must Be Initiated From You.

The first and maybe most important step in a debt... Read More

Credit Repair? Its All Up to You

Log onto to a search engine such as google.com and... Read More

Whatever You Do....Dont Save Money!

No, that's not a misprint. Even though falling interest rates... Read More

Five Hot Tips To Get Out Of Debt Forever

The financial and psychological burden of being in debt causes... Read More

Debt Elimination Is The Key to Financial Freedom

If you want financial freedom, the first thing that you... Read More

The Human Side - Debt Stress

In all the technical discussion you hear about credit... Read More

New Bankruptcy Law ? Targeting the Wrong People?

Last April, President Bush enthusiastically signed into law the oddly-named... Read More