Managing Your Credit and Debt
- Introduction
- What's Your Credit Rating?
- Reasons for Being Denied Credit
- Using Your Credit Card Safely for Internet Purchases
- Reestablishing Credit
- Talk to Your Creditors
- Collection Agencies
- Credit Counseling
- Alternative Ways to Pay Off Your Debt
- Paying Your Debt to Uncle Sam
- Bankruptcy
Credit Counseling
If you feel like you need some help dealing with credit issues, you can talk to a credit counselor. This is a specially trained person who will help you with your cash flow and intervene with your creditors.
The Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) is a not-for-profit agency that provides credit counseling. Contact the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) toll-free at 1-800-388-2227, or on-line at www.nfcc.org, to locate a local CCCS office.
Some credit counselors are not what they seem. Before you pick one, ask how they are compensated. They may want to charge you large fees, yet be of limited help. Check with the Better Business Bureau in your area, or ask your bank for a referral.