How to use a Credit Counseling Agency

Editor Financial recovery July 12, 2024

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Using a Credit Counseling Agency

You may choose to contact a credit counseling agency when rebuilding your credit.

A credit counseling agency might be right for you if you:

·       Need help creating a spending plan

·       Have trouble sticking to a spending plan

·       Prefer not to negotiate with your creditors or cannot work out an acceptable repayment plan with them

·       Are unable to keep track of bills

They can help you:

·       Manage your money and debts

·       Develop a spending plan

·       Learn about consumer credit, money and debt management by offering free educational materials and workshops

 

If you decide to use a credit counseling agency when rebuilding your credit, the FTC provides the following tips for choosing a reputable credit counseling agency:

• Interview several credit counseling agencies before signing a contract.
• Check with your state attorney general, local consumer protection agency, and the Better Business Bureau to find out if consumers have filed complaints about the agency you are considering. A reputable agency will send you free information about itself and the service it provides without requiring you to provide any details about your situation. If the agency will not do this, find another agency.
• Ask questions about services, fees, and a repayment plan. These questions are listed in your Participant Guide.

 

For additional information on choosing a reputable financial counselor, visit www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre26.shtm.

 

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Using a Credit Counseling Agency

You may choose to contact a credit counseling agency when rebuilding your credit. Has anyone worked with a credit counseling agency in the past? Who would like to share their experience? A credit counseling agency might be right for you if you: ·       Need help creating a spending plan ·       Have trouble sticking to a spending plan ·       Prefer not to negotiate with your creditors or cannot work out an acceptable repayment plan with them ·       Are unable to keep track of bills They can help you: ·       Manage your money and debts ·       Develop a spending plan ·       Learn about consumer credit, money and debt management by offering free educational materials and workshops   If you decide to use a credit counseling agency when rebuilding your credit, the FTC provides the following tips for choosing a reputable credit counseling agency: Interview several credit counseling agencies before signing a contract. Check with your state attorney general, local consumer protection agency, and the Better Business Bureau to find out if consumers have filed complaints about the agency you are considering. A reputable agency will send you free information about itself and the service it provides without requiring you to provide any details about your situation. If the agency will not do this, find another agency. Ask questions about services, fees, and a repayment plan. These questions are listed in your Participant Guide.   For additional information on choosing a reputable financial counselor, visit www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre26.shtm.   What questions do you have about using a credit counseling agency? Before we continue, let us discuss credit repair scams.

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