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Debt Counseling Assistance :: Bad Credit Repair Counseling
Bad Credit Repair Counseling:
How to Tell Between Bad and Good Credit Repair Counseling Companies
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There are both good and bad credit repair counseling companies - and while some have honorable intentions, there are others that could make your situation worse. According to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission), fraudulent credit counseling companies exist.
The good news, you can protect yourself. To learn how to find a good credit repair and counseling agency, keep reading for some great tips.
Go In-Person
Many credit counseling agencies offer services online, over the phone and in-person. If it's possible, try to choose an organization that operates a real office location that you can visit. Not only is in-person counseling typically more effective, it's often more reputable.
Try Your Work or Local Bank
Many military bases, local credit unions, universities, housing authorities and U.S. government agencies offer free credit counseling services. Typically, if a nonprofit, bad credit repair counseling service is connected to a reputable agency or employer, you can trust them.
Get Their Information First
A good credit services and credit counseling agency will provide you with their information about their services without requiring you to pay a fee or provide any of your own personal details. If a company refuses to give you information, then you should consider that to be a red flag.
Do Your Research
Once you've found a credit counseling company that you'd like to work with, do your research and check them out. Check with your state Attorney General, a local better business bureau and/or consumer protection group.
You can also try contacting the U.S. Trustee Program - they maintain a database of approved and certified credit counseling companies who provide debt counseling to individuals before they go into bankruptcy.
Do an Interview
You should always be prepared to ask a potential bad credit repair counseling agency questions. Essentially, you want to find out if they're licensed in your state, what services they'll provide, how they help you manage your debt, and what assurances they offer that your personal information will be secure.
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