Credit Cards in the United States: Counseling Information and Numbers

About credit counseling services offered in the United States to help people with credit card debt, contact numbers and address given.

NEED HELP? COUNSELING IS AVAILABLE

Approximately 150 consumer credit counseling services exist in the U.S. These nonprofit, community service agencies offer counseling, usually free, for consumers with debt problems.

A working example in Los Angeles: The bulletin distributed by Consumer Credit Counselors of Los Angeles reads, "To help people help themselves solve their debt problems." How it works: Client contacts counseling service and is sent a questionnaire on which client lists all income and debts. Upon receipt of the completed questionnaire, an appointment is made with a counselor. Counselor aids client in analyzing the problem, helps client make a budget for monthly living expenses, and determines what amount of income is available to pay existing bills. The counselor then contacts all of the client's creditors and arranges for "an agreeable and feasible plan for debt payment." Client can then choose to handle distribution of the funds or can have the counseling service do it. There is a small fee for postage, record keeping, and check processing if client requests the counseling service to pay the bills. But, if the client chooses to handle these personally, there is "no charge for the actual counseling or for the advice and recommendations given."

For nearest Consumer Credit Counselors office contact:

National Foundation for Consumer Credit, Inc.

Federal Bar Building West

1819 H Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20006

Remember: Declaration of personal bankruptcy remains on your credit records for 14 years.

WHERE TO WRITE FOR CONSUMER EDUCATION MATERIALS

National Consumer Finance Association

1000 16th Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20036

Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

Education Division

230 Park Avenue

New York, N.Y. 10017

National Foundation for Consumer Credit, Inc.

Federal Bar Building West

1819 H Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20006

Council for Family Financial Education

1110 Fidler Lane, Suite 1616

Twin Towers

Silver Spring, Md. 20910

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