Help Please!

Well, I can suggest you that there is a sign-up form in the home page of this site where you can enroll yourself for a free debt counselling. When you are lost and can't figure out how to deal with your debt problems, only counselling can put you on the right track.

There are numerous organizations to help with this. You want to make sure that you deal with a non-profit organization. They are the ones best equipped to help. I would not sign up with the first one you talk to. Make sure you know what fees are involved up front. This is not a magic solution. It still takes a lot of hard work and discipline to make a credit counseling plan work. It is admirable that you are taking charge of the situation, and trying to deal with it now.

Have you tried to get into a financial hardship program. A lot of lenders are offering them now to keep payments coming in. Have you spoken with HSBC about your whole situation? Some lenders are more willing to work with you than others. Sometimes it is just a matter of getting the right person to direct you to the right department.

I'd agree with my fellow poster that you must make an informed decision about the settlement firm and shouldn't grab the first offer that comes your way. In fact, you may be able to do it yourself as well and thus can save the money paid as fees to the settlement company. Check the 'do it yourself' corner of the site. Hope it'd help.