A Google search for ?Debt Help? will generate page after page of financial service companies offering different solutions to help you get out of debt. The various ?Debt Help? options are generally Debt Settlement, Credit Counseling, Debt Consolidation, and Bankruptcy. In this article I will focus on Debt Settlement and what you can look out for in the consultation process to help you make your decision with confidence.
Most Debt Settlement (also known as Debt Reduction) companies follow a similar process in qualifying and enrolling their clients into the program. I will break this down into 5 steps:
1. Initial Contact: Many customers will find a list of ?Debt Help? companies by typing phrases into search engines such as Credit Card Debt, Get out of Debt, or Debt Relief. The initial contact will be initiated by filling out a form or calling the company directly. This first call will give you the most clues on what kind of business you are dealing with. The most important thing to remember is that Debt Settlement does not work for everybody. If a Debt Consultant makes the program sound like everyone gets accepted, you do not want to go with that organization. The only way a company can successfully reduce your debt is if you are in a financial hardship. Basically, if you don't need the help, the program will not work because the creditors will have no reason to lower your debt amounts. If you're current on the bills you still might qualify for debt reduction but only if you are struggling to make the minimum payments. If a Debt Consultant neglects to ask about your state of affairs and pushes you to send in your credit card statements, hang up and call a firm that cares about your specific predicament. An ethical Debt Consultant representing a reputable firm will discuss all the aspects of Debt Settlement, both positive and negative. Remember If it sounds too good to be true, it is. If the initial phone conversation is going well and you have a general understanding of how Debt Settlement works, then it is time to have the company review your credit card/loan statements or a credit report.
2. Submission of Credit Report or Statements: If a company approves you without reviewing your statements, this is a bad sign. Reputable Debt Reduction services will want to review your statements or a credit report to do a comparative analysis. Having the company review your information is part of the approval process and in no way should commit you to anything. This part of the process is crucial because the specific creditors that you are indebted to historically settle at different amounts. The amount by which a creditor will reduce your debt will vary depending on the debt settlement company, financial hardship, creditor collection practices, and credit card delinquency. The job of the Debt Reduction Company is to take everything into account and give you the most accurate quote possible. If you speak with a Debt Relief company and this step is missing, I would not recommend taking the process any further.
3. Underwriting: The underwriting (also known as approval, qualification) process is designed to ensure that only qualified applicants are being approved for the program. This is an extremely important step to a reputable Debt Settlement firm because it's a system intended to help ensure that approved applicants make the transition to satisfied clients with the highest rate of success possible. If a company is letting everyone in the door, chances are many of these clients are getting settlements rejected by their creditors because they are not qualified to have a Debt Reduction.
4. Approval: If you are approved for a Debt Settlement program the consultant will be able to tell you how much your monthly payment is and for roughly how long it will take for you to be debt free. In the field of Debt Settlement the successful programs are usually not more that 3-4 years in length. Every creditor has a window of opportunity when they are willing to accept settlements and the vast majority will be approved within 3 and 42 months. If a company says that they can reduce your debt by fifty percent and offers you a 5 year program, be cautious. In Debt Settlement the creditors will be paid off one at a time and the possibility of legal action from the creditor increases as the debt becomes more delinquent.
5. Agreement: If the approval is within range and you would like to move forward the next step is to look at the agreement. The agreement should clearly state your monthly payment and fee schedule. Make sure to read the entire document and write down any extra questions that come up. You should be able to cancel the Debt Settlement mid-program if needed, without being responsible for future monthly payments. Of course nobody enters a Debt Settlement Program intending to cancel 10 months down the road but if something unexpected happens to your income, you need to be able to sever the relationship. If you read the agreement and it seems the opposite of what your Debt Consultant explained to you, it is not a wise idea to sign up with that company.
Now that you have found the best company for your needs focus on your new monthly payment. If you ever can afford to pay above your minimum monthly, I highly recommend doing so. Remember, the goal is to pay off this debt as fast as possible. Stay in communication with the customer service department and refer communication from your creditors to the Debt Relief Company. Before you know it the debt will be showing $0 balances and you will be on the road to financial freedom. If you ever get discouraged in the program and the anticipated 2-3 years to pay off the debt, just remember the alternative of making minimum monthly payments or the financial position you were in before the program started.
Best Debt Settlement Company
There are many things that go into choosing a credit card debt settlement company. With the market being saturated with such agencies, it is imperative that you be doubly sure about the credit card debt settlement company you are selecting. Here is a brief outline of things you need to check on while selecting a company.
Costs involved with the company
One of the first things you need to ask the credit card debt settlement company is the fees and charges involved. You need a suitable program that offers an affordable cost which fits well into your budget. Many people make the mistake of enrolling with credit card debt settlement companies that are too expensive to afford. This can further aggravate the level of debt they already suffer from. However, if you do find a credit card debt settlement program that is affordable and reasonable enough then you should go ahead with it. Apart from bankruptcy, it offers the most cost effective route to clearing your credit card debts.
Assistance for bankruptcy offer
You need to ask your potential credit card debt settlement company if they are providing some kind of bankruptcy assistance in the situation that credit card debt settlement is not working to your advantage. Many companies provide a refund of a certain amount paid so that the person can pay for bankruptcy attorney fees etc. These credit card debt settlement companies will directly deposit this money into the attorney's account and you can be sure that such a company is authentic.
Better Business Bureau membership
Another aspect you need to ascertain before enrolling for any credit card debt settlement program is whether the company concerned has membership of Better Business Bureau. Many of these companies will not directly propagate or advertise this fact. This is why you need to check with BBB yourself. If you find that the BBB has previous complaints from this credit card debt settlement company then you definitely do not want to do business with them.
Researching yourself can help
It is essential that you do your own bit of research on any potential credit card debt settlement company. You can compare different agencies based on price, guarantees provided, certifications, years in business etc. By doing your research, you will be able to make a better decision on whether this credit card debt settlement company is really right for you or not. In addition, you can also negotiate with the company and find out a program that fits in precisely with your individual financial goals.
Ask plenty of questions
The only real way you will know more about your credit card debt settlement company is by asking a lot of questions. You can ask your agency about the manner in which debts will be settled, how they will tackle collection calls from the lender, how existing liabilities and bills will be paid off etc. By asking more questions, you will clarify all of your doubts and be clearer about the modus operandi of this credit card debt settlement company.
Both Adam Jasa & Amad are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Adam Jasa has sinced written about articles on various topics from Finances, Credit Counseling and Finances. Adam Jasa is the Founder of Select Debt Relief http://www.selectdebtrelief.com. Previously Adam worked with the Freedom Financial Network in their Financial Consulting D. Adam Jasa's top article generates over 2900 views. Bookmark Adam Jasa to your Favourites.
Amad has sinced written about articles on various topics from Credit Cards, Finances and Debt Consolidation. Do you REALLY want to get out of debt? You can learn credit card debt negotiation and. Amad's top article generates over 8100 views. Bookmark Amad to your Favourites.