Deep in debt? Credit counseling companies can help
When you find yourself mired in debt and can’t see your way out, you can always turn to non-profit credit counseling companies for help. Credit counseling agencies offer access to professional credit counselors who know the world of consumer credit inside and out. With help from a credit counselor, you can take stock of your financial situation, learn about all the possible ways to address it, and choose the strategy that makes the most sense for you.
With three decades of experience helping individuals just like you, American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a leader among credit counseling companies. We offer free credit counseling and low-cost debt management plans, along with educational materials and tools to help you improve your personal finance skills. With help from ACCC, you can finally address your financial issues and make a plan to get out of debt once and for all.
The pros and cons of credit counseling companies
There are two kinds of companies offering credit counseling and debt relief – non-profit agencies and for-profit companies. As you’re seeking a credit counseling service, it’s helpful to understand the motivations and services that each type of company offers.
With for-profit debt relief agencies, it’s all about making money. While they may offer helpful services, they typically charge hefty fees – which can add insult to injury when you’re already deeply in debt. For-profit companies also tend to promote riskier strategies. They may suggest you refuse to make any payments to your creditors to pressure them to settle for an amount that’s lower than what you actually owe. Sometimes this approach works, but it inevitably ruins the consumer’s credit rating. If it doesn’t work – there’s no guarantee that creditors will accept a settlement – consumers often find themselves deeper in debt and facing legal trouble as well.
In contrast, non-profit debt management and credit counseling companies are mission-driven organizations dedicated to helping consumers confront their debt issues. They offer free or low-cost services and have the consumer’s best interest in mind. Non-profit credit counseling companies recommend strategies that help to pay off debt without risking legal exposure or adding new debt. And non-profit agencies offer free education and financial tools that can help consumers improve their money management habits and learn to live a debt-free life.
ACCC: a leading, reputable credit counseling company
ACCC is dedicated to helping consumers take control of their finances and make plans to reach their financial goals. Since 1991, we have offered credit counseling, debt management, and educational services that have helped thousands of individuals and families find their way out of debt. As a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), we are a leader among credit counseling companies, and we’re accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.
Our services include:
- Free credit counseling services that help you find the best way to approach your financial situation and make a plan to get out of debt
- Debt management programs that simplify your finances, consolidate your monthly payments, and seek reductions in interest rates, finance charges, and fees
- Student loan counseling to explore all your options regardless of your loan status or how much you
- Housing counseling for all your housing needs, including reverse mortgage counseling, foreclosure counseling, and homebuyer education and certification
- Bankruptcy counseling, including the pre-filing bankruptcy counseling session mandated by the courts
How credit counseling works
When you come to ACCC, you’ll be working with one of the most reputable credit counseling companies in the country. Your first credit counselling session at ACCC is free of charge. In this session, you’ll meet with a highly trained and certified credit counselor who will help you get a clear picture of your financial situation and identify your financial issues. We’ll perform a detailed review of your finances, including your income, expenses, and assets, and we’ll talk with you about all the strategies available to you for paying off your debt, along with the pros and cons of each approach. Finally, we’ll provide you with personalized options based on your goals, and help you choose the path that seems most appropriate for your situation.
If your ACCC counselor recommends a debt management program and you choose to enroll, we’ll help you create a budget you can live with while you set aside money each month to pay off your debt. Then, rather than paying all your creditors individually, you can make one payment to ACCC and our team will pay your creditors on your behalf. This arrangement has minimal service fees and allows you to simplify your finances, reducing your stress and making it easier to stick with the plan. It also lets us approach your creditors to seek possible reductions in interest rates, finance charges, and fees to help you pay off your debt faster.
Why choose ACCC over other credit counseling companies?
As one of the nation’s leading credit counseling companies, ACCC provides you with:
- Access to highly experience credit counselors
- A reputable firm that’s been in business for 30 years
- Free credit counseling services
- Debt management programs with the lowest effective fee structure in the industry
- Free educational materials and financial tools
- Counseling provided in person and over the phone
- Bilingual services available for the Spanish-speaking community
- Superior customer services with counselors that care about you and provide ongoing support
- Strict confidentiality to protect your personal financial information
FAQs: What are credit counseling companies?
What are credit counseling companies?
Credit counseling companies are typically nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping consumers address their financial issues and find their way out of debt.
What are the benefits of working with a credit counselor?
Credit counselors are extremely knowledgeable about the many strategies for dealing with debt and financial trouble. A professional credit counselor can help you get a clear look at your finances, explore the pros and cons of different approaches for managing debt, and help you choose the strategy that makes the most sense for you. Credit counselors can also connect you with educational materials and tools that can help you improve money management habits and learn to live without debt in the future.
