If you are receiving unsolicited phone calls from an entity pretending to be ACCC (a trusted non-profit credit counseling agency), please be assured that ACCC’s policy is NEVER to contact you unless you’ve explicitly requested us to call you. Also be cautious of emails from an unusual or unfamiliar domain. ACCC’s domain extension is @consumercredit.com, and any emails using a different extension should be treated with suspicion.

×

ACCC’s Client Login allows current clients to access their program information, including the due date, program benefits, and other documents.

Select a Client Login below based on the service that you are currently enrolled in:

Debt Management Program

Client Login

Not yet a client, but looking to get started?

ACCC offers debt relief options to individuals and families that are suffering from stress related to credit card debt by providing effective credit counseling, helping to consolidate debt, and advising on debt management.

Get Started

Wait!

You are now leaving the Consumer Credit website and are going to a website that is not operated by ACCC. We are not responsible for the content or availability of linked sites.

Are you sure you want to leave?

No, return me to the previous page.

Yes

How Credit Counseling Works

So, you’ve hit a financial rough patch. Maybe you’ve fallen behind on expenses, are reliant on credit cards, or aren’t really sure what went wrong. What you do know is that it’s time to seek help. A reputable credit counseling agency can help you fix your financial situation and put debt behind you. To do so, it’s important to know how credit counseling works.

If you've wondered how credit counseling works - here it is!

If you’ve wondered how credit counseling works – here it is!

How Credit Counseling Works

Despite all efforts, you just can’t seem to figure out how to get out of debt. That’s where credit counseling comes in.

What is Credit Counseling?

Credit counseling is a financial service designed to educate consumers and assist them in seeking debt relief. With the help of credit counseling, consumers can take charge of their finances with confidence and ultimately find financial freedom. Another goal of credit counseling is to enable consumers to make good financial decisions to avoid debt in the future. There are a number of companies that offer credit counseling, but nonprofit agencies are committed to offering low cost financial services and solutions.

The Details of How Credit Counseling Works

Nonprofit credit counseling agencies can help you explore all your options for paying off unsecured debt. At American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC), you can speak to a certified credit counselor for free. During your counseling session, your credit counselor will help you evaluate your finances, including income, assets, and expenses. Your counselor will  also help you create a realistic budget, including identify if you are overspending, and areas where you can cut back. Given all this information, your counselor will help you go through all of your options to find the best solution for you and your goals. By the end of your session, you’ll have all the information necessary to take control of your finances. If you decide to move forward with a debt management program, your counselor at ACCC will walk you through the program.

What to look for in a Credit Counseling Agency

Like we said before, there are a number of companies that may offer credit counseling. To make sure you are protected and in trustworthy hands, there is some criteria to consider when choosing a credit counseling agency. Here are some things to look for when searching for a credit counseling agency:

  • Non-profit organization
  • Have been in business for at least seven years
  • Licensed in your state
  • Charge no minimum fees and are prepared to waive your fees if you simply cannot afford to pay them
  • All the counselors should be certified
  • Member of one of these organizations: the NFCC or AICCCA

If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today. 

ABOUT AUTHOR / Madison

Madison is a Marketing Communications & Programs Associate at ACCC. She is excited to share her tips on saving money and being financially responsible here on the Talking Cents blog!

View all author posts →

creditU

Your Ultimate Money Management App

Meet CreditU, the ultimate one-stop debt and financial management app! See your full financial overview, including debts, income, expenses, and savings.

CreditU Apple App Store
Dev Tool:

Request: blog/how-credit-counseling-works
Matched Rewrite Rule: blog/([^/]+)/?$
Matched Rewrite Query: post_type=post&name=how-credit-counseling-works
Loaded Template: single.php