What are the cons of using a debt consolidation/credit counseling service?
Question : What are the cons of using a debt consolidation/credit counseling service?
Do these services negatively effect your credit? If so, for how long?
Are there any major pros to these services?
credit consolidation services
Best answer:
Answer by Renaissance Man
Yes, they negatively effect your credit. All you’re doing is paying them to poorly manage your debt. What they do is put you into default, on purpose, and then negotiate with your creditors. It ruins your rating even further and makes them rich doing it.
You need to do what is called a “debt snowball”. It’s explained on this site. It’s ultra simple.
First, scroll down and click “Listen to Dave”. JUST LISTEN.
http://www.daveramsey.com/tdrs/index.cfm/2007/9/17/Getting-rich
This one audio clip of his CHANGED MY LIFE when I heard it.
Listen to this man for free, on the radio or online. This is like getting financial wisdom from Bill Gates except this guy has a national radio show. He takes a call like yours atleast once a week.
Debt consolidation simply means you are putting all of your debts into one big ball and then borrowing more money to pay off that big ball of debt.
Credit counseling shows you are making an honest attempt at repairing your credit. Use only counseling agencies that are recognized by the FTC, these are fair and honest. Many of the others, make promises to help you when in fact, they just stop the phone calls and their efforts can hurt your score
Here is a link to find a credit counseling agencie
http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/ccde/cc_approved.htm
Govt approved credit counseling agencies.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre03.shtm#improve
Building a better credit report.