Free Debt Advice: Tips on Finding Reputable Debt Help |
By Ashley Russell on February 16, 2011
.jpg.aspx) With the economy continuing to fall downward, many Americans are finding themselves in trouble with debt. Whether it is because of the school loans they have amassed or possibly the loan they had to take out on their new house, it is hard to combat so of the debt that many have fallen into. There are many ways to get help with your debt. Numerous companies, non-profits, and other organizations constantly bombard us with messages about how they claim they can help with your debt situation. The key is finding programs and organizations that have a proven recording for helping people in situations like yours, and sniffing out scams before it is too late.
So here is some free debt advice for those who need to work on getting themselves out of the hole with creditors:
- Avoid debt agencies that actively try to draw you in. If they solicit you or spam your inbox, then they are typically too good to be true.
- Check to see that the agency you choose to use is a part of the National Foundation of Credit Counseling (NFCC). The NFCC is a national organization that only accredits companies that adhere to its strict guidelines. Go online to www.debtadvice.org to search for an NFCC-approved agency close to you.
- Be sure to look into the agency you choose. Just because the agency is deemed a “non-profit” does not mean that it is the best type of agency to use.
- Never give your credit card information or bank account numbers over the phone because you never know if you are talking to a legitimate agency or whether you could be giving your information to a scammer.
- Pay close attention to what the agency is charging you. Most trustworthy companies do not ask for large amounts of money or charge you high fees; they are there to help you, not take more money from you.
- If a company claims that they can wipe out your debt, proceed with caution. Most things that seem too good to be true are exactly that. If it were as easy as wiping yourself clean of debt, then no one would ever worry about accruing such high debts.
When you are looking for a way to help with your debt, try starting off with debt counseling. Most of these companies do not benefit from telling you the way you should go about dealing with your debt. This will make them more likely to tell you what is the best for your level of debt. These companies also know a lot more about debt options than the average person, so they will possibly give you a solution that you would not have considered on your own. Do not just go with the first option you find. Do your best to search through options and decide what is best for you and your situation. |
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