Thursday, March 31, 2011

Consumer Credit Counseling That You Can Trust

Dealing with credit card Credit7 can be stressful. But can you find legitimate consumer credit counseling to help you? It might sound like a dream, but it really is possible.

Still, there are scams out there and you should be wary before trusting someone with your money. Before choosing a consumer credit counseling service, you have to do your homework.

Familiarize Yourself With The Law

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) exists for a number of reasons, including protecting consumers from deceptive practices like scams and other dishonest tricks.

When it comes to finding help with credit card Credit7 and avoiding the fake credit counselors out there, the FTC has some advice and guidelines you can follow.

  • Be wary of the word "non-profit". There are lots of non-profit consumer credit counseling services out there, but that doesn't mean that they won't charge you for their services. Some organizations even have hidden fees or ask for "voluntary" contributions.
  • Re-building your credit takes time and work. If a consumer credit counseling service says they can fix your credit overnight, it's most likely a scam.
  • Credit counselors can deal with you in person, over the phone, or online. It's usually best to find someone who offers to help you in person.
  • There are laws in place to protect you from scams. Find out what they are - if you talk to a counseling service and see that they are breaking the law, stay away from them!

Ask The Right Questions

If you follow the FTC's guidelines, you'll be one step closer to finding legitimate consumer credit counseling and starting to get rid of your Credit7.

But before hiring a credit counselor, you should do your homework. Research their organization. Ask the right questions. Here are a few examples of questions you might want to ask them.

  • Do they offer information about their services and methods? Do they have educational material available? If a company really wants to help, they'll have this information available for free. Avoid organization that charge you for these services.
  • Will you have a contract or a formal written agreement with them? You should always insist on having an exact agreement in writing, to avoid any nasty surprises. Be sure to read every word before signing an agreement. If the company is not willing to put their offer down on paper, then walk away.

These questions are just some of the things you should be asking a consumer credit counseling service before hiring them to help with your credit card Credit7.

Look In The Right Places

Once you know the laws, and you know what questions to ask, you're ready to start looking for a consumer credit counselor. You have the tools you need to find someone honest and trustworthy. But where should you look?

  • Universities, military bases, credit unions and housing authorities often operate non-profit consumer credit counseling programs.
  • Friends and family can offer recommendations - someone who they've worked with before and they trust. Your Credit0 institution can also recommend trustworthy services.
  • There are consumer credit counseling services online. But you have to be especially wary to avoid scams. Ask them the right questions!

With these guidelines, you should be a few steps closer to finding help with your credit problems, and getting the consumer credit counseling you need. Be vigilant, and you can find trustworthy services out there.

Dealing with credit card Credit7 can be stressful. But can you find legitimate consumer credit counseling to help you? It might sound like a dream, but it really is possible.

Still, there are scams out there and you should be wary before trusting someone with your money. Before choosing a consumer credit counseling service, you have to do your homework.

Familiarize Yourself With The Law

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) exists for a number of reasons, including protecting consumers from deceptive practices like scams and other dishonest tricks.

When it comes to finding help with credit card Credit7 and avoiding the fake credit counselors out there, the FTC has some advice and guidelines you can follow.

  • Be wary of the word "non-profit". There are lots of non-profit consumer credit counseling services out there, but that doesn't mean that they won't charge you for their services. Some organizations even have hidden fees or ask for "voluntary" contributions.
  • Re-building your credit takes time and work. If a consumer credit counseling service says they can fix your credit overnight, it's most likely a scam.
  • Credit counselors can deal with you in person, over the phone, or online. It's usually best to find someone who offers to help you in person.
  • There are laws in place to protect you from scams. Find out what they are - if you talk to a counseling service and see that they are breaking the law, stay away from them!

Ask The Right Questions

If you follow the FTC's guidelines, you'll be one step closer to finding legitimate consumer credit counseling and starting to get rid of your Credit7.

But before hiring a credit counselor, you should do your homework. Research their organization. Ask the right questions. Here are a few examples of questions you might want to ask them.

  • Do they offer information about their services and methods? Do they have educational material available? If a company really wants to help, they'll have this information available for free. Avoid organization that charge you for these services.
  • Will you have a contract or a formal written agreement with them? You should always insist on having an exact agreement in writing, to avoid any nasty surprises. Be sure to read every word before signing an agreement. If the company is not willing to put their offer down on paper, then walk away.

These questions are just some of the things you should be asking a consumer credit counseling service before hiring them to help with your credit card Credit7.

Look In The Right Places

Once you know the laws, and you know what questions to ask, you're ready to start looking for a consumer credit counselor. You have the tools you need to find someone honest and trustworthy. But where should you look?

  • Universities, military bases, credit unions and housing authorities often operate non-profit consumer credit counseling programs.
  • Friends and family can offer recommendations - someone who they've worked with before and they trust. Your Credit0 institution can also recommend trustworthy services.
  • There are consumer credit counseling services online. But you have to be especially wary to avoid scams. Ask them the right questions!

With these guidelines, you should be a few steps closer to finding help with your credit problems, and getting the consumer credit counseling you need. Be vigilant, and you can find trustworthy services out there.

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