DEBT CONSOLIDATION SERVICES/CREDIT COUNSELING

People can often face difficulties in paying bills due to job losses, personal or family illnesses or overspending their incomes. They can take steps to deal with their debts on their own, seek information on budgeting and money management in their communities or contact a consumer credit agency for help in managing their finances.

STEPS CONSUMERS CAN TAKE ON THEIR OWN TO HANDLE DEBT

The following is summarized from "Knee Deep in Debt: Facts for Consumers" posted on The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website (www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre19.shtm)

The FTC recommends the following steps to help people in debt to help themselves:

• Develop a budget – List household income from all sources and then list all household expenses to track spending patterns and prioritize necessary items: food, mortgage or rent, education, health care, insurance, etc.
• Contact creditors immediately to try to work out a modified payment plan to reduce payments to a more manageable level. Don’t wait until their accounts have been turned over to a debt collector.
• Check the local public library for information on budgeting and money management.
• Credit debts can be consolidated through a second mortgage or home equity line of credit. However, these consolidation loans require using the debtor’s home as collateral and the home could be lost if loan payments are late or unpaid.
• Know your rights when dealing with debt collectors – Debt collectors may not harass debtors, make false statements, or use unfair practices in collecting debts. They must also honor written requests from debtors to cease further contact.

DEBT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

Free or low-cost programs offering assistance with budgeting and money management may be available through community action agencies, military bases, colleges, public utilities, towns, or other community institutions.

CONSUMER CREDIT COUNSELING AGENCIES

Consumer credit counseling agencies offer budget planning, debt management, credit counseling, credit history assistance and debt consolidation services. They can negotiate with creditors on behalf of clients to establish payment plans. Credit card and other consumer debts are consolidated into one monthly payment with the agency’s service fee included in the payment. As part of the repayment plan, clients may need to agree that they will not apply for credit or use any additional credit while they are participating in the payment plan program. In Connecticut, consumers can contact the following nonprofit consumer credit counseling agencies:
-Financial Counselors of America (www.financialcounselors.org)

-Money Management International (www.moneymanagement.org/)

CHOOSING A CONSUMER CREDIT COUNSELING AGENCY

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises consumers to take time to research their options before selecting a credit counseling agency. Questions to ask include:

• Is the agency licensed and accredited?
• Have there been any complaints filed against the agency?
• Are the counselors qualified to give consumer credit advice?
• Are services personalized for each client?
• Is the client's credit information kept confidential?
• Does the agency fully disclose all fees and services in writing?

Further information can be found at "BBBTips on Choosing a Credit Counseling Agency" posted on the BBB website: (www.bbb.org/us/article/tips-on-choosing-an-credit-counseling-agency-6104)

AVOIDING CREDIT REPAIR SCAMS

There are many questionable businesses that offer "credit repair". They promise to "fix" credit reports for fees of hundreds or thousands of dollars. Consumers should know that they can access information to their credit reports at no charge by contacting the three credit bureaus. (For details, see the e-Library paper: Credit Bureaus/Credit Reports). Further information can be found in the paper: "Law in Plain Language: Credit Repair" posted on the website of the State of Connecticut Office of the Attorney General: (www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/view.asp?A=2066&Q=292378)

---------
TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by service names:
Credit Counseling
Debt Consolidation Services
Financial Management Workshops
Personal Finances/Budget Counseling

SOURCES: Attorney General, State of Connecticut Office of the website; Better Business Bureau website; Federal Trade Commission website
PREPARED BY: 211/pt
CONTENT LAST MODIFIED: June2012