Accredited Debt Counseling Services
Many people choose to live beyond their means. A good portion of these people use their credit cards to purchase items far beyond their financial capacity. They are unable to pay off their bills in the next month, resulting in accumulation of huge debts over time. Most debtors have to consult financial advisors or debt counseling services to resolve their debt issues. Counseling services may or may not be certified or accredited. It is advisable to consult agencies that are accredited to either the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. or both. Typically, credit counseling involves working with the counselors to work out a financial strategy to manage the debts.
Some debt relief companies may even claim to have debt programs that involve legal procedures to terminate a debtor's loan. Debtors must be wary of such scams or fraudulent agencies. Accredited agencies are safe and reliable. The chances of people getting duped are quite rare.
Accredited agencies offer suitable debt management programs to fit the debtor's requirements. Debt management programs may include total debt repayment or debt negotiation plans. Debt counselors contact the lenders and creditors and inform them that the debtor is following a debt consolidation program. They work out a repayment plan with the creditors that are convenient for the debtors. Generally, they try and negotiate the interest rates so that maximum amount can be utilized to pay off the principal amount of the debt.
Debtors must furnish all the necessary information regarding their debt. To review a situation, the counselor requires a debtor's proof of expenses and income. The debtors must carry all the necessary documents along with them to verify all the debts owed.
Debtors can even consult counseling agencies that are authorized by the National Federation of Consumer Counselors. Such agencies are accredited organizations and are located in most of the cities. Debtors must avoid consulting agencies that charge exorbitant fees. Many counseling agencies guarantee complete confidentiality.
To guard debtors from scams, a number of websites are engaged in providing information regarding various agencies. They also list the names of different fraudulent companies in the debtor's best interest.