Reputable Debt Counseling Services?

[crostorfer]

I could use the help of a debt counseling/relief service, but I am aware of the number of scams there are out there. Can anyone reccomend a good one please?

 

[gracie1]

I have never used one but I have heard that CCCS (consumer credit counseling services) is very reputable.

And not to judge you.....but to warn you that you will probably get some posts about your upcoming vacation in May 2011 if your that bad financially right now! I'm just warning you whats to come!

 

[ellenct]

I am with Money Management International. I have been with them since 2007 and I am almost credit card debt free!

 

[DisneyShannon]

I use care one credit. www.careonecredit.com I have used them for about three years now with no problems. I can see a huge dent every month, and it helps to see those numbers fall instead of only going down 2-3 dollars.

 

[vicki_c]

I believe that CCCS is really the only 100% reputable place out there.

 

[Marionnette]

I'm embarrassed to put this out in a public forum, but upon returning from the World, I discovered some information that has led me to believe that we are WAY worse off financially than I had thought.

I am to the point that I really believe I could use the help of a debt counseling/relief service, but I am aware of the number of scams there are out there. Can anyone reccomend a good one please?

And please, no judging. Everyone makes mistakes, I just didn't realize how many we had made.

Im sorry for your situation. Please consider going to creditboards.com to get advise on how to handle things. You can post your specifics there and they wont judge you. But they will give you alot of tough love. And valuable info. on where to turn. I think that you might also want to edit your signature here. People on the disboards will judge you and your choices. Especially if they see recent luxury trips or countdowns for deluxe vacations. I wish you luck in digging your way out of your hole.

 

[NYCDiane]

The CCCS helps you to pay off your debt IN FULL.

Most of those other ones, the debt settlement companies, simply have you put money in an acct and when you get some, they try to settle your debt with your creditors. The problems with that are:

1. The acct is being reported negatively every month until you settle.

2. Once you settle, it will be reported as "settled for an amount less than what was owed". It will say that on your credit report.

3. With the debt settlement places, they really don't care about your credit. They just want you to keep feeding money to them and they settle your accounts as they feel. They're in no rush to get anything done and aren't really doing anything to your benefit.


I would think, overall, you would be better to deal with CCCS (non profit) and pay off your debts in full over time.


(oh, and I agree with the above poster --- your siggy line needs to be edited)

 

[crostorfer]

What I neglected to mention was the I decided that May wasn't feasible after I had already put the ticker up, and that plans for that trip have been shelved. Ticker removed, thank you.

 

[dmslush]

I am using CCCS and have paid off over $3000 in a year. They have been a lifesaver for me!

 

[Virgderon]

I used Genesis Financial management, a CCCs in Florida. Paid off about $4600 in less than a year. I would agree with previous posters- you want a CCCs, not a debt settlement firm.

You can also call your credit card companies directly and ask for the hardship department. The difference between doing a CCS and dealing directly with the creditor is that generally when you are done with a CCS , you have paid off the debt.

When you deal with the creditor directly, they may only give you a year hardship plan or a 6 month hardship plan.

Good luck!

 

[hambirg]

I believe that CCCS is really the only 100% reputable place out there.

This! I have a long time friend that worked for them many years. They are a true non profit. I wouldn't trust anybody else.

 

[njmom47]

I currently am enrolled with Novadebt....I tried CCCS once (when I was a single mom) and the counselor told me I was $1,000 short every month and the program wouldn't work for me. ( Hmmm...gee thanks for the support!)
I'm happy with Novadebt...they are very proactive which is good for me. I opened a separate account and deposit money in there for my once a month autodebit from them.

 

[Planogirl]

We used Consolidated Credit when we ran into problems with medical bills and this worked out well for us. We didn't have to put money into an account but they did set up a payment plan to a company and they withdraw a set amount each month. They do charge a monthly fee though and I understand that CCCS doesn't. We only have a few more months to go!

As for negative reporting, don't be surprised if that happens no matter who you use. It depends on how delinquent the account is. You might see some late history or the company could put the account into chargeoff status. Some companies do that automatically.