Some debt consolidation companies mention religious connections in their names or on their official websites. Some agencies indisputably have connections with a religion, however, some agencies are simply making use of the name in order to make you rely on them. You must not allow a religious connection or membership to affect your choice – select the agency that is appropriate for you.

Fees: Not every non profit debt consolidation company comes to you free of cost and the genuine non profit agencies must have minimum monthly fees and establishment fees. Some of them make publicity for voluntary fees but subsequently compel you for paying the total fee even though it’s quite costly for you. If an agency has exorbitant fees, is ambiguous regarding their fees, or compels you to pay a voluntary charge, which is not within your means, you should go for another agency. Be careful about the fact that with numerous agencies, the payment for the first month would probably be directed to the debt consolidation agency and not to your creditors.

You fell into debt in no time, but it would require a lot of time to come out of debt. Don’t rely on an agency that assures that you would become debt free within one or two months. Similarly, you must ensure that the non profit debt consolidation agency is giving time for you. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), which is a non-profit community organization, gives at least one hour on the telephone or personally on a discussion to determine whether you require consolidation. If an agency offers you a strategy within a short time period, then it has not given sufficient time analyzing your expenditures. Utilize a debt consolidation agency that gives a lot of time to investigate your finances.

Better Business Bureau: The Better Business Bureau (BBB) utilizes a Reliability Report to maintain documents on businesses in order to ensure that consumers can select the most reliable agencies. The BBB keeps details about products and services together with a history of grievances and accolades. Companies get an acceptable or unacceptable record on the basis of how they manage customer-related matters. Prior to making a decision on a company, check it with the BBB and only pick an agency with an acceptable rating.

The Better Business Bureau is one of the smartest means to check the trustworthiness of a debt consolidation company over the Internet. Nevertheless, be cautious when you’re typing. Just missing one letter such as “a” in “bureau” can take you to fraudulent sites. Take the help of their official website – BBB.org.   

It might be difficult to select a non profit debt consolidation company when there is a plethora of choices. However, with some perseverance and plenty of research, you can select an agency that is suitable for you. You can have a lasting smile since you’re one of those debt-free people.

~*Save Money Momma would like to thank Robin for contributing this piece and I hope that the information in this post can help someone save money and make better choices for those who are suffering from financial hardships.

Checking into this topic further, I found a company named TMPinfo who offers a debt settlement program (as opposed to debt consolidation) including debt repair which will be needed weather you chose settlement or consolidation because this affects your credit rating no matter which program you decide to go with…PLUS 70 hours of consumer credit counseling. Apparently it’s a simple sign in to have someone contact you. I spoke to a representative there and if you click HERE, all you have to do is enter your name, telephone number and best time to call. There are spaces for other info, but they can go over that with you when they call you. They are a hands on, ready to help you company, I recommend it as this is thus far the best program I have found out there.  ~Momma