This article will outline some guidelines in choosing a credit counseling agency, what questions you should ask and a few warning signs that you may not be dealing with an ethical practice.
Choosing a Credit Counseling Agency
Reputable credit counseling agencies advise you on how to realistically manage your money and your debts, help you develop a workable budget, and usually offer free educational materials and workshops.
Develop your own list on the potential credit counseling agencies and the best way to check the reputability of those short listed credit counseling agencies is to check them with the Better Business Bureau at www. bbb.org. From they you will know how many complaints have been filed against these credit counseling agencies and for what reasons.
Credit counselors should be certified and trained in the areas of consumer credit, money and debt management, and budgeting, and should discuss your entire financial situation with you, and help you develop a personalized plan to solve your money problems without pushing a debt management program. Erase them from your list for those credit counseling agencies that keep pushing you to enroll into their debt management program without understanding first on your financial condition.
The Cost
Although many credit counseling agencies are nonprofit, there might be some fee involve. Bottom line is whether they request "fees" or "contributions", they should be disclosed and should be reasonable. Anything over $50 for a consultation fee or monthly fee or contribution is NOT reasonable.
Make sure that the agency is not keeping the first month's payment as their fee! This is known as a bad practice in the industry and has been the source of state attorney general lawsuits as well as many individual actions against the agencies that do this.
What Questions To Ask? What services do you offer? Look for a credit counseling agency that offers a variety of related services. Avoid agencies that push a debt management plan (DMP) as your only option before they spend a significant amount of time analyzing your financial situation. What educational materials/information do you offer? Is it free? Avoid credit counseling agencies that charge for educational materials or other written information. What are your fees? Are there set-up and/or monthly fees, how are they broken down? Get a specific price quote in writing and make sure you understand exactly what fees you'll be charged. What if I can't afford to pay your fees or make contributions? Under the terms of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, non-profit credit counseling agencies must provide services for free if a consumer is unable to pay. What are the qualifications of your counselors? Are they accredited or certified by an outside organization?
Use an organization whose counselors are trained by a non-affiliated party and who have a background in debt management, consumer credit and budgeting/finance.
Once you satisfied with their answers given by the credit counseling agency and decide to take up their service, remember to get a copy of the contract and review it carefully before you sign it. Make sure the contract includes:
- Disclosure of the amount of your fee or contribution
- Description of the services to be provided
- An estimate of the payoff schedule for the debts
- Disclosure of the termination provisions of the agreement
- Options for resolution of disputes
- Unrealistic Low Monthly Payments
- Money Back Offers
- Loan Programs
- If the promises being made seem like they're too good to be true, they probably are. Beware.
