Consumer Credit Counselors:
What's Real And What's Fake?

Do legitimate consumer credit counselors really exist? How do you know you're not just going to get ripped off again and end up even deeper in debt? Is settling credit card debt possible for you?

Accessible.Org addresses accessibility issues. Many of our site visitors are people with disabilities, often in dire financial straits. If you're a disabled person, is help with credit card debt available to you?

Yes! You CAN get honest-to-goodness consumer credit counseling. And credit card debt solutions do exist, as long as you know where to look. Let's start by seeing what the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has to say.

Many credit counseling organizations are nonprofit and work with you to solve your financial problems. But beware -- just because an organization says it is "nonprofit" doesn't guarantee that its services are free or affordable, or that its services are legitimate. In fact, some credit counseling organizations charge high fees, some of which may be hidden, or urge consumers to make "voluntary" contributions that cause them to fall deeper into debt.

Most consumer credit counselors offer services through local offices, the Internet, or on the telephone. If possible, find an organization that offers in-person counseling. Many universities, military bases, credit unions, housing authorities, and branches of the U.S. Cooperative Extension Service operate nonprofit credit counseling programs. Your financial institution, local consumer protection agency, and friends and family also may be good sources of information and referrals.

So, finding consumer credit counselors and getting help with credit card debt is a real possibility. For your own financial security and safety, Accessible.Org urges you to follow the FTC's advice to avoid nasty surprises. Please view this FTC video completely before proceeding.

(As of this writing, Accessible.Org recommends only one consumer credit counseling firm. If you offer credit card debt solutions that comply with the FTC's requirements, please contact us about getting listed here.)

How To Get Started

Settling credit card debt is like laying bricks. It's simple, but not so easy!

Getting consumer credit help, in fact reducing credit card debt, is actually fairly simple. But although it's simple, it's not easy. Compare it to building a brick wall. It's simple to lay one brick after another, but it's not such easy work!

And you don't need to be a Philadelphia lawyer with a sweeping knowledge of credit card debt law. All you need to do is follow the straightforward guidelines laid out by the FTC, and start by asking potential consumer credit counselors these questions:

• What services do you offer? (Look for an organization that offers a range of services, including budget counseling, and savings and debt management classes. Avoid organizations that push a debt management plan (DMP) as your only option before they spend a significant amount of time analyzing your financial situation.)
• Do you offer information? Are educational materials available for free? (Avoid organizations that charge for information.)
• In addition to helping me solve my immediate problem, will you help me develop a plan for avoiding problems in the future?
• What are your fees? Are there set-up and/or monthly fees? (Get a specific price quote in writing.)
• What if I can't afford to pay your fees or make contributions? (If an organization won't help you because you can't afford to pay, look elsewhere for help.)
• Will I have a formal written agreement or contract with you? (Don't sign anything without reading it first. Make sure all verbal promises are in writing.)
• Are you licensed to offer your services in my state?
• What are the qualifications of your consumer credit counselors? Are they accredited or certified by an outside organization? If so, by whom? If not, how are they trained? (Try to use an organization whose counselors are trained by a non-affiliated party.)
• What assurance do I have that information about me, including my address, phone number, and financial information, will be kept confidential and secure?
• How are your employees compensated? 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? (If the answer is yes, consider it a red flag and go elsewhere for help.)

Does Money Grow On Trees?

Settling credit card debt is not at all like plucking bills off a money tree!

We all know that money doesn't grow on trees. Strangely enough though, many of us act otherwise. Viable credit card debt solutions do indeed exist, but harvesting a money tree is not one of them!

Hello! Wake up! Some effort is needed and even if it's just a little, many people get discouraged and give up. DON'T GIVE UP. Get professional help with credit card debt by working with consumer credit counselors with a proven track record.

It's not hard to do. If you follow our solid, practical debt management advice on reducing credit card debt, you'll find yourself in the comforting, capable hands of the best of the consumer credit counselors.

The choice is yours. You can choose to look for credit card debt solutions entirely on your own and put in days, weeks, and even months of frustrating and unrewarding effort.

And then you might even give up after having wasted all that time and energy, possibly ending up even deeper in debt. OR YOU CAN BE SMART and kiss your credit card debt problems goodbye once and for all.

You CAN get experienced, professional guidance by working with the only one of the consumer credit counseling services that we recommend. Read on. You won't be disappointed.

Our One And Only Recommendation

Of all the consumer credit counselors out there -- and there are endless numbers of fakes clamoring to get you in their clutches -- the only one we recommend is CareOne^SM Debt Relief Services.

CareOneSM Debt Relief Services offers you the soothing reassurance that only a true professional can.

Their name alone is comforting. When you say it aloud, the "caring" part of the name whispers volumes of soothing reassurance that they'll be the ones with the credit card debt solutions that will REALLY help you.

You'll still have your work cut out for you, though, especially if you're faced with a debt management plan. Here's the thing though. You've got nothing to lose by taking that first step.

There's no financial risk in completing their initial inquiry form. In fact, they only ask for seven bits of information to get you started. Here they are:

1. First Name
2. Last Name
3. Email Address
4. Zip Code
5. Total Unsecured Debt (minimum $2500)
6. Number of Accounts (minimum two)
7. Phone Number

That's all there is to it. With those basic seven pieces of non-invasive qualifying information, they know to what extent they'll be able to help. Are you ready? Then go to CareOne^SM Debt Relief Services right now and get moving on the road to settling credit card debt once and for all.

They've already helped 4.5 million people. They can help YOU! Visit them now!

Oh, did we tell you they've got an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau?

[Accessible.Org receives compensation for advertising the CareOne℠ brand of debt relief services based on each qualified consumer who links to the CareOne℠ website directly from this site.]

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