BBB Tips on How to Choose a Consumer Credit Counseling Service
How do you choose a reputable credit counseling service? Use consumer representatives like The Better Business Bureau (BBB) to help you find the right credit counseling service. Some tips from the BBB can help you choose the right company:
- All fees and services should be revealed immediately. Compare costs from similar service providers to confirm that their costs are reasonable.
- Ask if they provide services beyond debt management planning and debt consolidation loans.
- Ask if you will receive a free counseling or budgeting session Ask if there are other free educational resources.
- Find out the fee structure for any additional services.
- Is the consumer credit counseling service independently accredited through a third party? Are the telephone counselors certified? If they are not certified, what kind of training have they received?
- Call your creditor directly and negotiate lower payments or alternative schedules before you contact a consumer credit agency.
