Scam artists prey on desperation. With the unemployment rate spiraling to its highest level in more than three decades, that desperation becomes more palpable as households scramble to get their finances in order. If you haven’t been disciplined enough to create a workable budget to get out of debt, or if you feel like you’re in over your head, a debt counselor or consolidation program may be right for you. But if you’re considering entrusting your finances to a complete stranger, exercising diligence is imperative.
The typical consumer has access to approximately $19,000 on all credit cards combined, according to Fair Isaac Corp. When finances are tight, 59% say they pay their credit card bills last, according to a survey by Creditcards.com. For a cash-strapped household, it may mean a lack of funds left to pay the mounting revolving debt. “The average person that comes to us for help has seven credit cards,†says Gail Cunningham, spokesperson for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
Here’s what you need to consider when seeking out a credit counselor or looking into a company to help you with your debt:
DO YOUR HOMEWORK: Check out the company’s creditability with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or your state’s attorney general’s office. Don’t be fooled by the non-profit designation either, because in this day and age, there’s no guarantee that the designation means the services are free, affordable, or even legitimate. The Federal Trade Commission has exposed so-called non-profits — such as the National Consumer Council and AmeriDebt — that were funneling money to for-profit companies. When checking out a company with the BBB, Cunningham urges consumers to be on the lookout for “unresolved†complaints. She says be sure to ask, “how did the company respond to the complaints filed? were they resolved in a way that satisfied the customer or the BBB?â€
KNOW THE FEES: Some credit counseling organizations charge high fees, which may be hidden, or urge consumers to make voluntary contributions that can cause more debt, so be on the lookout for this too, says the FTC. Be suspicious if you’re asked to pay up front and in cash. “One of [the NFCC] membership standards is that no fee can be assessed prior to delivery of service,†Cunningham says. Review the fee assessment thoroughly. “There are a lot of scam artists charging money for services [that are] free,†says Kathleen Day, spokesperson for the Center for Responsible Lending. Day recommends you “get in writing what [the agency is] going to charge.â€
GET IN-PERSON COUNSELING: Credit counselors can offer services through local offices, the Internet or on the telephone but, aim for in-person counseling, according to the FTC. When entrusting someone with your livelihood, it’s important to get a clear sense of who you’re working with. To find a reputable agency look into local universities, military bases, credit unions, housing authorities, and branches of the U.S. Cooperative Extension Service operate non-profit credit counseling programs, says the FTC. Your financial institution, local consumer protection agency, and friends and family also may be good sources of information and referrals. You can also check with the highly reputable Consumer Credit Counseling Service for a local branch.
DETERMINE WHETHER A DEBT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (DMP) IS RIGHT FOR YOU:
With a DMP, you deposit money each month with the organization, which uses your deposit to pay your unsecured debts. DMPs will negotiate lower interest rates with your creditors, and even though they cannot talk down the interest rates on student loans, they will still help you manage your payments. If a credit counselor tries to enroll you in a DMP without taking the time to review your financial situation, consider a new counselor. If a credit counselor offers to enroll you in a DMP without teaching you budgeting and money management skills, change services immediately. Visit the Consumer Education Services Inc.’s Website MyCesi.org, for more on DMPs.STEER CLEAR OF DEBT SETTLEMENT COMPANIES: You’ve probably seen the “eliminate your debt,†infomercials while up late night worrying about your finances. While the promise of making your debt disappear in a few easy steps may sound tempting, if the company is offering “debt settlement†it’s more than likely a scam that’ll have you in a deeper hole.
Here’s how it works: You send
the money to the organization instead of the creditor. But many of the initial payments go directly to the settlement company as a fee and not to your creditors! What’s worse, the companies negotiate a settlement for cents on the dollar. Say you owe $10,000, once you’ve sent them $5,000 (however many months that takes), they’ll then call your creditor and say ‘hey, this person owes $10,000 but we can give you $5,000 right now, and call it even.†While they’ve been stashing your cash, you’ve continued to run up over-the-limit fees, late fees and other penalties on already out of control debt.“A legitimate credit counseling agency will offer financial education,†says Cunningham. “We supply them with the tools so they can lead a more financially stable life.â€
Check out these government sites specifically for consumers grappling with debt:
U.S. Department of Justice offers a list of government approved credit counselors
Consumers Credit and Budget Counseling Inc. offers free debt advice and access to counselors.
Renita Burns is the editorial assistant at BlackEnterprise.com.