Address your debt head-on with non-profit credit counselling
Living with debt can be overwhelming. With thousands of dollars in unpaid bills and rising credit card balances, the idea of paying everything off may seem impossible.
If you’re feeling burdened by unsecured debt, you’re not alone. The average American household has $8,000 in credit card debt today, and many individuals can’t envision a future in which they live debt free.
American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) can help. As a non-profit credit counselling agency, we offer services and resources that have enabled thousands of individuals just like you to take control of their finances and make a plan to get out of debt. When you work with ACCC’s certified credit counselors, you’ll find the tools, skills, and knowledge you need to find your way out of debt – and avoid debt in the future.
How to choose a credit counseling agency
When considering credit counseling, it’s important to find a reputable agency that will have your best interests in mind. Here are the most important things to look for in a non-profit credit counselling firm.
- Free counseling and low fees. Your non-profit credit counselling agency should offer free credit counseling sessions and low-cost fees (not more than $50 per month) for debt management programs. The agency should also be willing to waive fees if you can afford them.
- Strong business history. The right firm should have been in business for at least 7 to 10 years, providing you with assurance that the company is legitimate and knows what it’s doing. You also want to look for a firm with a strong rating from the Better Business Bureau, and one that is affiliated with one of the credit counseling trade organizations, such as the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
- Certified counselors. A good nonprofit credit counseling agency will employ highly trained counselors who are certified by an independent organization.
- Free educational materials. A top-notch credit counseling firm will offer free educational materials that can help you learn more about sound money management practices.
ACCC: your source for non-profit credit counselling
ACCC has been helping individuals and families find their way out of debt since 1991. Over the past three decades, we’ve helped thousands of consumers through nonprofit credit counseling, debt management programs, debt consolidation services, and counseling for bankruptcy, housing and student loans.
Our highly trained and certified counselors offer free credit counseling sessions that are the first step on the road to taking control of your own answers. In these sessions, we’ll help you evaluate your current situation, explore all the options available to you, and recommend what we feel is the best plan to help you pay off your debts, usually within 3 to 5 years.
If a debt management plan seems like the best option, we’ll help you enroll in the plan and create a budget you can live with while you pay down your debt.
When you choose non-profit credit counselling with ACCC, you’ll feel great knowing there is a path out of debt, and that ACCC will be with you every step of the way.
The value of non-profit credit counselling
Why is it important to choose a non-profit credit counselling agency? For starters, non-profit agencies usually offer free and low-cost credit and debt counseling services. The goal of non-profit credit counselling is to help you pay off your debts as quickly as possible – usually within 3 to 5 years – with solutions that won’t ruin your credit rating or push you deeper into debt. Non-profit debt counselors will also help you understand how you got into debt in the first place and figure out what steps you can take to avoid debt in the future.
The alternative to non-profit credit counselling is for-profit debt relief companies, also known as debt settlement, debt negotiation, or debt consolidation companies. The primary goal of these agencies is to earn a profit. Consequently, they often charge high fees or take a hefty cut of the settlements they work out with your creditors. Many for-profit agencies use aggressive tactics that may result in late payments, charge-offs, and other actions that can ruin your credit. And while some of these firms are successful at settling your debt for a portion of what you owe, their results are never guaranteed.
What you get with ACCC
Non-profit credit counselling services from ACCC include:
- Free credit counseling services, including preparation of a budget and analysis of key financial indicators
- Debt relief counseling provided in person and over the phone
- Debt advice backed by three decades of experience in the credit counseling industry
- Affordable debt management program fees – we strive to keep our fees as low as possible and can waive or reduce fees for financial hardship
- Confidentiality of your personal financial information
- Superior customer service – our credit counselors care about you and will work with you until your problems are solved
- Convenient assistance – in our debt management programs, we handle everything for you, including your monthly payments to creditors
- Bilingual services available for Spanish-speaking consumers
FAQs: What is non-profit credit counselling?
What is non-profit credit counselling?
A non-profit credit counselling agency provides free or low-cost services that can help consumers get control of their finances and pay off debt. Credit counseling agencies help individuals and families to improve their financial situations by providing knowledge and tools to manage money more effectively. Credit counselors can help consumers with budgeting and with making a plan to pay off debt over time.
What are the benefits of non-profit credit counselling?
Because non-profit debt management and credit counseling agencies are primarily funded by grants, they can offer services at no charge or at a very low cost. Non-profit firms also offer a range of services to help consumers with managing debt, bankruptcy, housing issues, student loans, and other financial matters. Many firms provide educational materials and financial tools that can help consumers to improve their understanding of money management and learn to live free of debt.
