What You Need to Watch Out For When Using Card Counseling Or Credit Debt Services, Debt Services

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Many people are turning to credit card counseling or credit and debt services in these financially unstable times.
Because of the collapse of the real estate market, many lenders are going out of business.
Also affected are the construction industry and the building service stores.
Many people who thought they had fantastic jobs are finding themselves out of work.
This means a financial struggle when it comes to paying their bills.
You may be one of those people affected.
There are services and non-profit organizations, which offer help in dealing with creditors and lenders.
They take on the task of speaking to your creditors to negotiate a deal in which you continue to make payments on the debt.
However, the payments are less than what you are paying now.
In many cases the interest being charged can be waived for the duration of the payment period.
These terms are for a set period of months so the creditor gets their money and you get out of debt.
These types of credit card counseling or credit debt services have helped many people over the years.
The legitimate companies have helped, anyways.
There are some fraudulent companies, which claim to help and then cause more problems.
These companies have been reported for not making payments to the creditors.
Fees are sometimes astronomical.
Terms and conditions, which are first offered, are changed.
Options are not fully explored for the consumer.
The companies are making big money.
These organizations are claiming non-profit status and yet one particular agency showed a profit of 7.
3 million dollars.
This is quite a hefty sum for a not for profit group.
It has been found that certain credit counseling agencies have, on a regular basis, made late payments to the client's creditors.
The agencies have charged set up fees and monthly charges, which have resulted in the consumer falling even farther behind in their bills.
Many people had to drop out of debt management programs and file bankruptcy because of the fraudulent terms and conditions they agreed to with the counseling agencies.
Federal agencies are starting to step in and take control of the situation for the protection of the consumer.
New laws are being implemented.
They are now requiring the non-profit status to be met.
Companies which have had accusations reported against them are being investigated.
It is important for these companies to maintain a level of credibility.
Many financial institutions are refusing to deal with the more questionable credit counseling agencies.
This means you need to do your homework.
Research each agency as much as you can.
Determine how long the agency has been in business.
Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if they have had any reports made on the agency.
Ask for references from past clients.
Make sure you read the fine print to determine exactly what you are paying for.
In the end when you are considering credit card counseling or credit and debt services, it may be best to handle things on your own.
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