Money Matters from the Federal Trade Commission

Money Matters from the Federal Trade CommissionThe Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, created Money Matters website to help you tackle some money issues head-on.

Go now to: Money Matters from the Federal Trade Commission to find tips and resources on money matters.
 
What is a debt management plan (DMP)

Credit counseling often involves negotiating with creditors to establish a debt management plan (DMP) for a consumer.

A DMP may help the debtor repay his or her debt by working out a repayment plan with the creditor. DMPs, set up by credit counselors, usually offer reduced payments, fees and interest rates to the client.

Credit counselors refer to the terms dictated by the creditors to determine payments or interest reductions offered to consumers in a debt management plan.

Source: Credit counseling - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
Questions to Ask When Choosing a Credit Counsellor

It’s wise to do some research when choosing a credit counseling organization. Some key questions to ask are:

  • What services do you offer?
  • Will you help me develop a plan for avoiding problems in the future?
  • What are your fees?
  • What if I can’t afford to pay your fees?
  • What qualifications do your counselors have? Are they accredited or certified by an outside organization? What training do they receive?
  • What do you do to keep information about me (including my address, phone number, and financial information) confidential and secure?
  • How are your employees paid? Are they paid more if I sign up for certain services, if I pay a fee, or if I make a contribution to your organization?

Source: Federal Trade Commission, Division of Consumer & Business Education

 
Is ‘credit card debt counseling’ really beneficial?

Credit card debt counselling

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not everyone believes that credit card debt counseling is beneficial and there are various reasons for that. Some people just read articles in the newspapers or find advice on the internet and take that as the final thing. So they don’t feel the need for credit card debt counseling. Some others feel that credit card debt counseling companies are just trying to make quick money by telling you the obvious i.e. by telling you something that is being advertised everywhere. However, the most important reason arises from the fact that not all credit card debt counseling companies are genuine and of those that are genuine, not all credit card debt counseling companies provide good advice. So, choosing a proper credit card debt counseling company becomes a critical factor in determining the success of credit card debt counseling.

Always go for a reputable credit card debt counseling company, even if their fee is a bit higher. Remember that a proper credit card debt counseling can help you in not just eliminating your credit card debt, but eliminating your credit card debt in a way that is so cost effective as to more than offset the fee credit card debt counseling company is charging you.

Proper credit card debt counseling can save you a lot of time and energy that you would have otherwise spend in studying all about credit card debt, gathering information about various credit card debt elimination measures and comparing these measures. Further, these credit card debt counseling companies can present more than one solution to you from which you can choose whatever appeals the most to you. Credit card debt counseling agencies can also get your credit card debt settled much quicker than if you were trying to do it all by yourself (and without any credit card debt counseling).

Credit card debt counseling could bring to light things which you would not have been able to see e.g. risks with the approach you were thinking to adopt or a futuristic view of things. Moreover, a person who earns his/her bread by practicing credit card debt counseling as a profession, would know the tricks of the trade which no one else would even have an inkling to e.g. pitfalls of a particular debt consolidation offer, or advantages of another offer etc etc.

There is no doubt with regards to the benefits that credit card debt counseling can bring to you. However, you need to be careful and avoid the fraudsters and pick up someone who has a good reputation.