What to look for in a Credit Counseling Company

Today I'm going to focus on what you, the consumer, should be looking for when picking a Credit Counseling company to assist you with your debt(s).  Because I work for AmeriFree Financial I thought I would do my best to eliminate any bias so I went to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website to see what I could find. 

There was some excellent information available for consumers, much of which I’m going to share with you today.  Of course the main focus of the FTC, relating to consumer debt, is to help us avoid bankruptcy and to prevent defrauding of consumers.  The information below was taken directly off of the FTC website.  I hope you find this interesting!

Before You File for Personal Bankruptcy:
Information About Credit Counseling and Debtor Education

Produced in cooperation with the Department of Justice’s U.S. Trustee Program

The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 launched a new era: With limited exceptions, people who plan to file for bankruptcy protection must get credit counseling from a government-approved organization within 180 days before they file. They also must complete a debtor education course to have their debts discharged.

Important Questions to Ask When Choosing a Credit Counselor

It’s wise to do some research when choosing a credit counseling organization. Some key questions to ask are:

• What services do they offer?
• Will they help me develop a plan for avoiding problems in the future?
• What are the fees?
• What qualifications do their counselors have? Are they accredited or certified by an outside organization? What training do they receive?
• What do you do to keep information about me (including my address, phone number, and financial information) confidential and secure?
• How are your employees paid? Are they paid more if I sign up for certain services, if I pay a fee, or if I make a contribution to your organization?
• How long have they been in business?
• Are they licensed in your state?
• How many consumers have they helped?

For More Information and Assistance

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them.

Conclusion

Thanks again for looking.  Should you have questions or would like to talk to one of the AmeriFree certified counselors in greater detail please call 1-800-360-9566 and they would be happy to assist.

Continue to check back often as information is continually being added!

Matthew

Debt Blogger