Help wanted - reliable credit counselor organizations. Who has worked with some good ones

[LynneSin]

No, it's not for me - at least not yet (says a little prayer)

I have a friend dealing with debt from a very bad divorce. She called one of those credit counselors advertised on TV but it was a joke and had her in tears.

I know some of you have mentioned worked with excellent credit counselors, ones that are non-profit and will actually do some good for you and not make it worse. Anyone have good experience with one of these organizations. Her other option is bankruptcy.

Thank you!

[taterguy]

1. Your local library would know

That's where I'd start

[LynneSin]

3. I'm not sure what a library would tell me

I figured if someone wanted to post or PM me who they have had success with that would be a great help. I don't think my friend is much of a library person

[taterguy]

4. They're experts on available local resources

Just stop by, tell them what you're looking for and they'll know where to find it.

[AwakeAtLast]

2. I don't know of any

but I do know many people in serious debt who followed Dave Ramsey's plan and really changed their lives.

I also know some people who don't like him, but there are some things he says that make a lot of sense.

Hope you find what you are looking for!

[whistler162]

5. I don't know but a friend of my mothers used one....

and didn't make certain that the credit counseling company followed through on the repayment agreement and now she is deeper in debt and has to file for bankruptcy.

[fizzgig]

6. mine is a local outfit funded by the local united way

and it's been around for many, many years.

this site might be of help to her: http://www.nfcc.org/

[merh]

7. check out this site

http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/ccde/CC_Files/CC_Approved_Agencies_HTML/cc_delaware/cc_delaware.htm

http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/ccde/cc_approved.htm

These links are provided by the government bankruptcy courts, the trick is to check with the BBB to see if any complaints have been lodged against the credit counseling group you are interested in. Also, the state AG may have a list.

Also check with legal aid groups in your area, see if there are any groups they trust.

[LynneSin]

9. thanks - this and the other links are perfect

although she lives in Pennsylvania, we can probably find the PA stuff from the link you gave us

[merh]

10. here is another site with some information that may be useful

http://consumer.abiworld.org/?q=node/11

Credit Counseling and Debtor Education

* For all states except North Carolina and Alabama:
o List of Approved Credit Counseling Agencies
o List of Approved Financial Management Instruction Providers
* For North Carolina and Alabama:
o List of Approved Credit Counseling Agencies
o List of Financial Management Instruction Providers in North Carolina and Alabama

Financial Literacy

* Choose to Save
* Consumer Jungle
* Credit Abuse Resistance Education Program
* Foundation for Teaching Economics
* InCharge Education Foundation
* Institute for Financial Literacy
* Jumpstart
* Military Money
* Money Savvy Generation
* Money Wise - Financial Education for High School Students
* National Council on Economic Education

Other Helpful Organizations

* Directory of Law School Public Interest and Pro Bono Programs
* Federal Reserve Education
* National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees
* National Association of Chapter 13 Trustees
* The NACTT Academy for Consumer Bankruptcy Education
* National Data Center Chapter13 Bankruptcy Case Information
* National Foundation for Consumer Credit
* U.S. Bankruptcy Courts
* U.S. Trustee Program

[RebelOne]

8. Check out this Web site:

http://nfcc.org/

It's the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

Credit Counseling

Get free and low-cost help from a trained, certified counselor who will assist you in determining the best options to meet your individual needs.
Our Certified Consumer Credit Counselors will:

Advise you on managing your money;
Offer solutions to your current financial problems;
Develop a personalized plan to help you prevent future difficulties.
If you have severe debt, you may be eligible to enroll in a Debt Management Plan (DMP).

[JoDog]

11. Here is a page

that is a list of the credit counseling agencies that are approved by the bankruptcy courts in Illinois. While I know that your friend is not looking at BKR, the fact that they are on the court's list indicates they have been checked out as true counseling agencies, not scams.

http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/ccde/CC_Files/CC_Approved_Agencies_HTML/cc_illinois/cc_illinois.htm

I used Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Atlanta (www.cccsinc.org). They have a great range of reasonably priced services.

[TK421]

12. I am currently working with this one

www.godebtfree.com

In fact, this month is my last payment...which means $140.00 more a month to go to other things. They have been very cooperative and helpful :thumbsup:

Don't know how bad a situation your friend is in, though...is it credit card debt like me? If so, they work with the creditors to lower your APR to 7-9% ( where mine was 20-24% beforehand ). The deal is, you agree to close out the cards...so you can never use them again. The organization stops calls from collectors and negotiates your total balance with the minimum monthly payment ( they ask what you can AFFORD to pay, which is what I was happy with ).

[Deep13]

13. In my experience those credit counselors are a waste of time.

First, interest continues to build even if they can negotiate a reduced payment and often the creditor won't participate anyway.

Bankruptcy is decisive and stops debt collection in its tracks.