How to find Best Debt Consolidation Programs?

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone knew a good and legitimate debt consolidation company they could recommend to me. I have heard some horror stories of scumbag companies taking advantage of people in these types of situations. I would also like to know how much will being in a program like this lower your credit score?

Thanx,

Chris

You can register on this site for free credit counseling and they match you with a company. Then you can look up the company through the BBB before making your decision. I signed up on this site and they matched me with United Christian Financial...they have a satisfactory record with the BBB, and I started dealing with them about 2 months ago, no problems yet. Hope this helps.

Forgot to answer your second question..debt consolidation does lower your score some, when creditors look at your credit, they see that you are enrolled in a program...some look at that in a negative way, some do not. Once accounts start getting paid off, your credit score improves. I'm sure someone else on this site can probably give you more detailed info on the effects on your credit.

Hi SportsNut, I will try to give you my opinion if I had been in your place. I will consider professional help only when I am unable to pay the debt on my own. I will be looking for some benefits that can ease my repayment options with the creditors. Since the consolidation program reduces the total amount of debt by eliminating the financial charges, late payment fees, I will find it helpful in my case.

If I don't use a consolidation program, I will be missing my payments regularly. My credit will slant down negatively each month. The scores will decline to the point where it will be tough for me to do any sort of repair within a period of time.

If I need to avoid such situation, I will consider consolidation program that can only protect me and my credit from declining further. And actually, I have done it. I am regular in my monthly payments so that creditors are sure of receiving their money and not turning it to collections. They don't call me regularly like I used to be called earlier. Overall, I am viewed more favorably than before after the enrollment in the program. After all my debts are paid off, my credit will show the maximum improvement.

Your payment history decides if a creditor will extend any credit packages to you. You can get the best deals from them if you are regular with your payments and have not been in defaults in the recent times. Consolidation programs aim to fulfill these requirements only.

I also enrolled myself in this site and received counseling from the consultant here. Then, they sent me emails and negotiated with my creditors. Thus, I am in this program with a view to improve my credit. Hopefully, you will also get the same touch.