Credit counseling agency resources

Some tips on finding a good credit counseling agency:

  • Ask friends and relatives for recommendations, or see if your company’s human resources department can refer you to a local agency.

  • Check with your local Better Business Bureau or state consumer protection agency to determine if complaints have been filed.

  • Find out if the counseling agency is affiliated with a major association, such as the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies or the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. Both have agency locators on their sites at www.aiccca.org and www.nfcc.org.

  • Don’t settle for a counselor who doesn’t take the time to discuss your spending habits, arrange a budget and agree to help you better handle your personal finances.

  • Get any agreement in writing, and read it before you sign it.

  • Beware of high upfront fees or required "voluntary contributions" or high monthly service fees that could add to your debt.

  • If you feel you’ve been the victim of credit improvement fraud, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov or by calling 877-FTC-HELP, and with the BBB and state consumer agencies.

    Sources: Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Federation of America

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