
If anything don't go with a money management or
consumer credit counseling agency. FYI - it appears similar to a chapter 13 bankruptcy. It's virtually the same thing (lowering interest, placing funds into a trust, them disbursing your funds, etc.) without the "legal status". Also, CCCS was created by credit card companies that wanted you to pay back as much as possible. Why go with a company that is created and backed by the people who charge you in the first place? And don't look at "non-profit" companies, either. Another FYI: The credit card company "donates" a good chunk of change to these guys.
In Charge Debt Solutions complaints - just be careful. No matter what solution you choose, there will be a negative credit impact (with the exception of making your payments on time - the severity of the impact depends on the length of time it takes for you to get out of debt. Debt settlement is the quickest and cheapest route. CCCS takes around 5 - 7 years (and the payment is higher) and it takes around 36 months or so. Please take it from me - I did CCCS in the past and I'm currently doing settlement because I couldn't afford the payments anymore. It saved me about 100 dollars a month and I will be out approximately 1 year and 3 months sooner than projected with CCCS.
If you decide to go with a settlement company, go with someone who doesn't house your funds in a third party account. Look at In Charge Debt Solutions complaints. Make sure you keep your funds in an account of your choice. Also, make sure they don't charge you upfront and that they don't charge you a monthly service fee. A good company will divide your fee into some sort of schedule - like where it is a part of your monthly payment so that you can afford it. Make sure that they are credible and have some sort of certification (BTW - BBB is not a good source...after doing my homework about BBB memberships, I found that a company can run a fast food business and then open a debt settlement company and NOT need to get a new membership with the BBB. Anything you need to know, you can find out from BBB without the company having a membership. Crazy, huh?) Check out IAPDA or USOBA credentials.
Check out your options, as well. Incharge is a CCCS company. Have a look at In Charge Debt Solutions complaints. As mentioned earlier, I'm in a settlement plan currently with RAM Financial Services (I live in Phoenix and they're local). I have 17,000 in bills and they will pay for credit repair at the end - another added bonus. I am also enrolled into their Debt To Prosperity Power plan, which is financial "life coaching", so I can learn to finally manage money by changing my habits. Another company I considered doing business with is Rise Above
debt relief. They are very well known and would be another excellent choice in the settlement world. With any company, make sure they aren't trying to sign you up after speaking with you for five minutes - they know nothing about your situation and can't possibly know if they can help you.
Just remember that credit can be rebuilt, so it shouldn't come at the cost of your sanity. Good luck!