Take control of your finances with credit and debt management counseling
Carrying a lot of debt can make life difficult. From the unpaid bills that pile up to the rising balances on your credit cards, living with debt can create a great deal of stress.
Credit and debt management counseling can help. Offered by nonprofit debt counseling agencies with certified credit counselors, these services can provide expert debt advice and connect you with the strategies and resources to paid off your debt over time while learning to live debt-free.
When you’re ready to explore the benefits of credit and debt management, American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) can help. As a leader in the credit counseling industry, we are dedicated to helping you regain control of your finances and take your first steps on a journey out of debt.
How to choose credit and debt management services
There are a lot of firms that offer credit and debt management services – and not all of them have your best interests in mind. When you’re looking for a reputable credit counseling agency, keep these criteria in mind.
- A nonprofit agency. A non-profit credit counselling firm will offer free or low-cost credit and debt management services, while a for-profit firm will charge hefty fees for their offerings.
- Reasonable debt management fees. With any credit counseling service, the fees for debt management should not exceed $50/month, and the agency should be able to waive or reduce fees if you’re unable to afford them.
- Business history. Choose a company that’s been in business at least 7 to 10 years to make sure they have a track record of success. Also, be sure to check the agency’s record with the Better Business Bureau.
- Professional counselors. Look for a firm with counselors that are certified by an independent organization.
- Industry affiliations. A reputable company will be a member of one of the professional credit counseling trade organizations such the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA) or the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC).
- An emphasis on education. A truly reputable firm offering credit and debt management services will provide educational materials that help you learn to avoid debt.
ACCC: non-profit credit and debt management counseling
ACCC is a non-profit organization that educates consumers on financial management and helps them take control of their financial futures. Our highly trained and certified credit counselors are experts in all aspects of managing credit and debt – from credit card counseling and debt consolidation to debt management plans and bankruptcy.
When you come to ACCC for assistance with credit and debt management, you can take advantage of a free credit counseling session to get a clear picture of your finances and learn about all the options available to you for getting out of debt. Our counselors will lay out all the possible strategies and provide you with personalized options based on your financial goals. We’ll help you settle on the best option for you, based on your situation and budget, and we’ll support you throughout your journey to a life that is free of debt.
Your ACCC counselor will also connect you with a wealth of educational materials and financial tools to learn more about personal finance, managing money, budgeting, and avoiding debt in the future.
Enrolling in a debt management plan
When you come to ACCC for credit counseling and debt management help, your credit counselor may recommend a debt management plan, depending on your financial situation. For many consumers, this is one of the most effective options for getting out of debt.
Under a debt management plan, you’ll work with an ACCC counselor to set a reasonable budget that lets you pay down your debt each month without making sacrifices you can’t sustain. Then, rather than making multiple payments to a variety of creditors, you’ll consolidate those obligations into a single payment to ACCC, and we’ll disperse those funds on your behalf. We’ll also contact your creditors to ask for reductions in things like interest rates, finance charges, and fees, or to adjust the terms of your debt to reduce your monthly payment.
While the structure of a debt management plan is simple, the benefits are profound. When you need to make just one payment each month, you’ll find it easier to make it on time and to stay on top of your obligations. You’ll feel a lot less stress knowing there’s a team at ACCC that’s helping you to keep on track with your financial goals. You’ll pay off your debt – usually within 3 to 5 years. And you’ll learn the financial strategies and habits that can help you live life debt-free in the future.
Why ACCC is your premier choice for credit counseling and debt management
When you choose ACCC, you can count on:
- Expert assistance from highly trained credit counselors
- Successful strategies developed over three decades in the credit counseling industry
- A free credit counseling session
- Low-cost debt management fees
- The option to have fees waived or reduced based on financial hardship
- Free educational materials and financial tools
- Counseling offered face-to-face and over the telephone
- Services available in English and in Spanish
- Superior customer service and ongoing support
- Complete confidentiality about your financial situation and personal information
- Reputable services offered by a firm with an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and a membership with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC)
FAQs: What is credit and debt management counseling?
What is credit and debt management counseling?
Credit and debt management counseling is a service provided by non-profit agencies that helps consumers to understand their financial situation and their options for getting out of debt.
What are the advantages of credit counseling and debt management?
When you work with a nonprofit credit counselor, you’ll learn about all the options for getting out of debt and the best strategies based on your circumstances. You can make a plan with your counselor to achieve your financial goals and get the support you need to stick with a plan for paying off your debt over time.
