Debt Credit Counseling - Beware of Scams and Rip-Offs

Debt Credit Counseling - Beware of Scams and Rip-Offs
by: Jacque LaMantia


Are you totally sick of hearing about, talking about, eating, drinking
and breathing the subject of DEBT??? Talk of our national debt is in the
news constantly, and it is frightening and appalling. How could this have
happened? And what can we do about it? How it happened is probably
because too many of us have not been paying enough attention. We have
become complacent and free-spending. We have believed money was easy to
come by, the future will always be brighter, and we can worry about debt
tomorrow....let's live for today! Unfortunately, tomorrow has caught up
with us. It is time to take action.

There is little we personally can do about our nation's trillions, but we
can take action on our own debt.

So let's take a look at the positive side....talk of millions, billions
and trillions of dollars actually makes our own debt look pretty tiny!
But don't be fooled. You know....perhaps painfully so....if your personal
debt is out of control, and now that it has your attention, it's time to
do something about it.

We don't go into debt on purpose and often are taken by surprise at how
quickly things get out of control. Situations in life often come up that
are outside of our control. We have all had to make purchases for
important items or emergencies when we didn't have the money on hand.
Whenever those situations occur, having a credit card can be a real
life-saver. Or perhaps at other times, our impulses get the best of us,
and we just can't resist using our credit card for that hot new toy or
gadget everyone is drooling over. Then the bills start rolling in.

When we allow things to get out of hand is when we suddenly realize we
face a mountain of credit card debt. If you are also feeling uneasy about
the security of your job or the stability of your company, it is time to
buckle down, stop using your credit cards, and establish a strict payment
plan for your existing debt. You may have difficulty paying it down
otherwise, and you'll wind up paying a ton of interest for years after
the purchase was made.

Since you have likely not yet racked up millions, billions or trillions
of dollars in personal debt, you can take control and do something about
it. Besides that, there are several options available to you. Some people
can dredge up some self-discipline, roll up their sleeves, put on their
money management hats, and figure things out. So they would rather deal
with their credit card debt themselves. They know where they went wrong,
they know they can fix the problem, and they need to just set up a plan
to do it.

Most people with too much debt have more than one credit card or loan; so
if you're going it alone, the first thing to do is list and review all
your obligations and face up to that ugly place where you have arrived.
Once you have all your information together, the next thing you should do
is give your credit card companies a call. Ask the customer service
representative if you can get a lower interest rate on your account. The
call is usually toll-free, and within minutes you will know if you are
eligible for this service. This might help lower your payments and make
your plan more manageable.

There are a number of resources available that can either give you advice
or that can help you get back on track in your goal to eliminate your
credit card debt, including websites, books, and tapes on debt
management. Some websites can link you live to a representative who will
walk you through the steps you need to take to get your debt under
control.

But what if you feel overwhelmed....don't know where to start....are
uncomfortable dealing with credit card companies....or just aren't sure
if you can ever pay off such a mound of debt? In these instances, debt
credit counseling services and the use of a debt agency or debt
settlement agency makes sense. If you feel you just can't handle it on
your own, then you are right to seek professional advice.

A legitimate credit counseling service deals with the credit card
companies and your other current creditors on your behalf to get you a
better rate and more reasonable repayment schedule. Since they work with
these companies on a regular basis and are experienced in what to say and
how to day it, they can often succeed in working out the most effective
payment schedule for your particular situation....better than if you were
to call them yourself.

Now, you've done well so far by deciding to take control of your credit
card debt, so don't fall down on the job now! You need to beware, as this
is where the scams and rip-offs can come in. You must do your research to
make certain that you select a good credit card debt settlement agency.
There are excellent debt credit counseling services out there which can
help with either debt elimination or with debt consolidation, but don't
be sucked in by unrealistic promises! No one can work miracles, so do not
believe the ads of credit card debt settlement agencies that promise to
erase your debt overnight and get you a higher credit rating to boot. It
isn't going to happen.

4 SUSPICIOUS SIGNS OF A SCAM OR RIP-OFF

No Accreditation - Look for credit counseling services that are members
of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling

Upfront Fees - Many times credit counseling is a free service. If they do
charge, it should be a minimal fee. Run the other way if you are asked to
pay a large upfront fee.

Ask How They Work - Legitimate agencies will clearly explain their fees
(if any), the methods they use to help manage your debt, and what you
will be expected to do for the most favorable outcome.

Unrealistic Promises - Only con artists will tell you they can settle
your debts for little or no money and that your credit rating will not be
affected. You do owe the money and you do have to pay it back.

Whether you use credit counseling services online or in person, their
role is to help you reduce your debt and to help you establish good
financial habits. They can help you figure out where you went wrong, what
you can do to fix things, and steps you can take to keep from getting
into the same boat again. A good counselor will help you work out a plan
that suits your situation and decreases your debt one step at a time. The
services will work with your current creditors to get your interest, and
possibly even payments, lowered. Credit card counseling can help you get
your credit score back up and keep it there.

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About The Author
Jacque LaMantia has extensive business and administrative experience in
multiple fields. She now works from home in Internet Marketing and likes
to share information and resources with the public and other
entrepreneurs. You can visit her websites at:
http://www.debtcreditrepairpro.com
http://www.affiliateincomesource.com
or you can email her at j-la@debtcreditrepairpro.com