Debt Settlement companies....are there any that really help you?

Have you tried a CCCS? Google one in your area, they are a non-profit organization.

Check the list of good debt settlement companies here. Also, you may wish to sign-up with the site for their expert guidance.

However, IMO one must invest some time in researching for the best settlement deal available along with the fees and charges asked by different companies and choose accordingly.

Yep.....I agree. With some Debt Consolidation/Settlement Co's, they may charge you a 'fee' (almost billing you for the 'privledge' for using them). I'm a single mom, and, of course, ahave alot of debt out there. I thought I would NEVER 'get a hold' of some outstanding debt I had. Well.....................to make a long story short, I received my CR and found out a good 'chunk' of my debts were more than 4 years old (SOL in the state of PA) and some were 'falling' off this year..(actually, a few ALREADY 'fell off'!!). I'm slowly, but, surely, working on one debt at a time (paying it down, etc.). My Credit score has gone UP..from 490 to 550!!! I was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo happy!! I guess, my point is, sometimes people look at the 'entire' picture and it seems really overwhelming. ....try to look at 'part' of it and work on it and then look at ANOTHER 'part', etc. Maybe it's a 'mental' thing ( I really don't know..) but,.......it seems like I can handle things, a bit better, this way. I'm NOT saying that Debt Settlement Co's DON'T work for people,..I'm just saying your debt can be handle by YOU, too.....and WITHOUT paying someone else to do the work.

Of course there are many that will help you AND there are many that will take your money and leave you in worse financial shape. Only you knows your true situation and what is the best course of action you can take. Do a lot of research. Even talk to a local BK attorney for a free consultation. Once you understand all your options, you can make a better decision.

Look at FreeStar Financial. A+ rated by the BBB.

You have a few choices, debt settlement, debt consolidation or bankruptcy. Many people don't understand the difference between debt settlement and debt consolidation.

Debt settlement reduces your debt by up to 60%. You make smaller monthly payments that go towards settling your debt. There are many companies that provide debt settlement and because the industry is not yet regulated, you should make sure you choose a reputable company. Some debt settlement companies have attorneys who oversee your file, some do not. We beleive that Debt settlement companies that have licensed attorneys in your home state, is far better then a non attorney debt settlement company, that is why we have licensed attorneys in many states who will oversee the file. The length of time that it takes to become debt free can vary form 12 to 40 months depending on what is best for your particular financial situation. Debt settlement is for people who can't afford to pay their unsecured debt as agreed, but want to do the best they can to settle their debts. Your credit will be affected, so if you are being told that it will not, they are not being honest with you. Your credit will begin to improve once you start settling your debts.

Debt consolidation reduces your interest rate but not the principal balance of your debt, so your payment will be less but not as low as with debt settlement. Debt Consolidation also effects your credit. Lenders view debt consolidation as third party intervention and will be reluctant to approve a loan. The lenght of time with debt consolidation is usually much longer then with debt settlement because you are paying the debt you owe in full.

Bankruptcy is for people who can not afford to pay anything other then their living expenses. The recent laws have made it much tougher to qualify for bankruptcy. A bankruptcvy will stay on your credit for 10 years and you may still have to pay off your debts.

We recomend you contact a debt settlement company that provides an in depth financial analysis of your situation to determine what course of action is best for you. A reputable debt settlement company will tell you if the debt settlement program is not right for you and recomend the best course of action.

I agree with the poster who used freestar financial; solid, honest company

honestly there are a few good companies out there that really do help. but sadly there are many more out there just trying to take advantage of people in these hard times right now, so my advice is if you feel you need to use a settlement company if you have one in mind research it fully and know the facts about settlement so you dont get caught by suprise if anything happens. know what can and cant happen, what collectors can do, and if you find a company that you are narrowing down ask them the tough questions and see if they lie to you. if they lie run alot of companies will not tell you the truth about settlement. find some great articles on this site about settlement and talk to people who have been through it and you will be able to be sucessful
good luck to you!

There are reputable companies, it just takes time and patience to sift through the garbage that is out there. When speaking with my pastor about my problems he actually recommended a company to me that he said some other parishioners had used. (The Lord works in mysterious ways sometimes). I know if I write the name here it will be stricken, so if you are in need please PM me.
Abe1104

Freestar is the enrollment team, your settlements are passed over to Debt Relife Center Inc. any comments on either Company??

Karen
The two companies you mentioned are partners. One handles new clients, the other services exisitng clients. Both are extremely reputible and honest.

have you searched them in the search box? i know there are many posts out there that may be able to help you make a better decision. good luck to you!