Debt Settlement Blog

When faced with unexpected expenses many credit card holders use the cards as a crutch to get through hard times. Many consumers have credit card debts in excess of $20,000 costing them over $650 dollars a month. These payments are then topped off with the interest built in so that they can take up to 30 years to pay off. Most often the money was borrowed to be paid back within a few months.The banks use a variety of tactics to lure in consumers that are at wits end. The loss of an income and the overwhelming barrage of credit card offers can lead to certain instability. Then comes the search for debt relief. Debt consolidation is one of the most sought after service searched by internet goers. When most research this topic they find that there are only a few options.

Credit counseling is one of those options. In a credit counseling program you are represented by a non-profit organization to reduce the interest rates on your credit card accounts. The debtor will pay the minimum payments to the non-profit and they in turn will send the payments to the credit card companies. Along with the payment will be a request for a lower interest rate that the creditor may or may not approve. Many times it will take 4-6 years to pay off your debts this way and it can cost the same amount in the long run.

But wait it gets better. There are fees associated with the non-profit service and they report directly to the credit bureau’s. Mortgage companies look at CCCS (consumer credit counseling service) almost as bad as a bankruptcy because you still have the outstanding debt and you are using a third party to pay your bills.

The other option out there is know as debt settlement or mediation. The process consists of working with the creditors through existing relationships in order to reduce the balances owed on existing credit card debt. The programs can give consumers immediate relief with the reduction in monthly payments in the program. Debt settlement can also carry some risks such as lawsuits, judgments and wage garnishments and should be used by consumers in a hardship.

The BBB and other online resources can help consumers combat overwhelming credit card debt. Most should seek the advice of an attorney or other financial adviser in order to make the right debt relief decision.