AICCCA's Six Things a Top Quality Credit Counseling Agency Will Tell You

Fairfax, VA - March 23, 2011 - With so many options available to consumers today, finding the best credit counseling agency can be a daunting task. Consumers seeking credit counseling services would be wise to arm themselves with the necessary information to make an informed choice about who to trust with their financial lives.

"Full disclosure is key to finding good quality credit counseling services," said Dave Jones, president, Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies. "Legitimate credit counseling agencies have nothing to hide and are willing to answer all of a potential client's questions to their satisfaction in addition to providing them with written disclosure of all fees and services."

AICCCA offers consumers six things to look for when choosing a credit counseling agency:

1. We are accredited by a third-party organization. An agency that is accredited by a third party must demonstrate that it is meeting the highest quality standards set by the industry. What this means to you as a consumer is that you may use the services of the organization with full confidence.



2. Our counselors are certified. A certified credit counselor has undergone training and meets financial education guidelines. Just as you would only trust trained, certified professionals to assist you in other areas of your life, it is important to have the best when it comes to credit counselors.



3. Our agency is non-profit. Non-profit organizations are in business to serve consumers. You want to work with a credit counseling agency that is interested in serving you, not its bottom line. There are, however, non-profit organizations offering consumers credit counseling services that may not have the best interest of the consumer at heart. Non-profit status alone is not the sole criteria by which to judge the agency.



4. Our fees are reasonable. Watch out for organizations that charge a high up front fee. Fees for credit counseling or debt management services should not exceed $50 monthly. Reputable agencies will never turn a consumer away because of inability to pay.



5. We provide full disclosure regarding our agency's policies and operations. All services, procedures and fees should be outlined for you in a written form and provided to you before entering into any agreement for services. If an agency is not willing to answer your questions and provide you with written documentation of procedures and policies, cross them off your list and keep looking.



6. We offer a comprehensive counseling session where we will discuss all of your options. It takes some time to get into a financial situation that requires outside assistance. Therefore, a credit counseling agency is not going to be able to find the best solution for you in 15 minutes. You want a comprehensive counseling session where a certified counselor reviews your finances and makes recommendations that best meet your needs.

A credit counseling agency that will benefit the consumer in need of financial assistance should tell you these six things. Consumers would be wise to avoid those agencies that do not. One quick way to assure you have chosen a trustworthy agency is to choose a member of AICCCA, whose member agencies must meet all the above quality standards and more. Call 866-703-8787 or visit www.aiccca.org to find an office to serve you.

Founded in 1993, Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA) is a national membership organization, established to promote quality and consistent delivery of credit counseling services. AICCCA and its members are focused on improved creditor relations, efficient processes and advanced technology to best serve clients and creditors. AICCCA members are independent nonprofit agencies that advocate for debtors, counsel millions of consumers annually nationwide and provide debt management services to consumers with excessive unsecured debt. For more information or to contact an AICCCA member office call 866-703-TRUSTAICCCA (866-703-8787) or visit www.aiccca.org.