All Topics > Financial Services > Debt Consolidation >

Debt Consolidation Florida

Recently passed by Congress, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 will require people who are filing for bankruptcy to first undergo mandatory credit counseling.

Local Companies

National Foundation for Debt Management
(727) 584-6667
14104 58th Street N.
Clearwater, FL

Eagle Nationwide Mortgage Co
904-541-1117
686 Kingsley AveOrange Park
Jacksonville, FL

United Debt Solutions
904-276-3100
1567 Kingsley Ave
Jacksonville, FL

Advance Credit Solutions
904-638-3045
3491 Pall Mall Dr
Jacksonville, FL

Free New Wealth
904-260-9500
1301 Riverplace Blvd
Jacksonville, FL

Investments Credit Plus LLC
904-791-3111
1142 Hubbard St
Jacksonville, FL

Credit Wizard LLC
904-541-1117
686 Kingsley AveOrange Park
Jacksonville, FL

Consumer Credit Counseling
(305) 620-2818
Golden Glades
Miami, FL

Ganis Credit Corporation
813-664-0758
4800 N US Highway 301
Tampa, FL

Berkowitz Law Group
727-344-0123
6560 1st Ave N
St. Petersburg, FL

This is probably not a bad idea; after all, many people with problem debt could probably benefit from credit counseling. A good credit counselor can assist clients with problem debts in establishing a repayment schedule, creating a personal budget, and learning how to avoid debt and credit problems in the future.

The problem is that with the estimated one and a half million additional people seeking credit counseling each year, there will undoubtedly be more credit "counselors" entering the market, and many of them are only interested in reaping huge profits at the expense of their clients. There are already a number of credit counseling firms working in the marketplace that advertise themselves as "nonprofit", when they actually are closely tied to for-profit debt consolidation firms. These agencies will strongly encourage their clients to consolidate debt through their partner company, and the result may be a long-term loan for the client that doesn't help them at all, but reaps huge profits for the consolidation firm. How can someone who is genuinely seeking legitimate, helpful credit counseling choose a counseling agency wisely?

Counselors should listen. If they start pitching a solution to you during the first fifteen minutes you are there, you should be suspicious. A credit counselor should be gathering information about you in order to determine how best to help you. They can’t possibly know how to help if they don’t understand your problem. Unless, of course, they don’t care about your problem and only want to sell generic “solutions.”
Watch out for firms that want excessive fees up front. Be particularly wary of nonprofit agencies that ask for fees or “voluntary contributions” or nonprofit agencies that tell you that they cannot help you if you do not pay a fee upfront.
Beware of firms that ask for a sizeable fee to obtain a copy of your credit report. Such agencies should be able to obtain your report at no charge, and you are entitled to one report per year for free.
Sometimes, bankruptcy is unavoidable. Watch out if the agency doesn’t mention bankruptcy at all, or if they change the subject if you bring up the topic. Debt consoldators cannot make any money on bankruptcy cases, but sometimes, that’s your only option.
Shop around. Talk to several different agencies and compare what they tell you. Any agency that differs dramatically from what the other agencies are telling you should probably be avoided.
Check with your local Better Business Bureau, and ask if they’ve had any complaints about the agency.
Watch out for firms that offer quick solutions to your problems. You didn’t get into financial trouble overnight, and you won’t get out of financial trouble overnight. Any competent debt or credit counselor will know this and will undoubtedly tell you that working your way out of debt takes time.
See if the agency belongs to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies. Many do.

By taking a few simple precautions before agreeing to work with a credit counselor, you may save yourself a lot of grief and a lot of money later.

About the Author:

Article Source:

thePhantomWriters Article Submission Service

Featured Local Company

National Foundation for Debt Management

(727) 584-6667
14104 58th Street N.
Clearwater, FL

Read more about Debt Consolidation

- Debt Consolidation Loans Florida

There are debt consolidation loans for bad credit that you can look into to becoming debt free. You will find that many places that allow you take out a loan for your debt, when you all ready have bad credit know the risks that are involved and that is why they take the precautions that they do. Let us look at what those precautions are.

- Accelerated Debt Consolidation Florida
- Debt Consolidation Service Florida
- Debt Consolidation Florida
- How To Get a Debt Consolidation Loan Florida
- Finding Debt Consolidation Loan Online Florida
- Debt Consolidation Program Florida
- Debt Consolidation Help Florida
- Free Debt Consolidation Florida
- Debt Consolidation Credit Card Florida

Regional Articles

- Finding Debt Consolidation Loan Online Florida

Debt consolidation is the best option to come out of any financial situation you have gotten yourself into. However, if you don't actually intend to meet a financial advisor personally, then it is very important that you know what points to remember what to do.

- Debt Consolidation Program Florida
- Accelerated Debt Consolidation Florida
- Debt Consolidation Loans Florida
- Debt Consolidation Service Florida
- Debt Consolidation Florida
- Debt Consolidation Help Florida
- Debt Consolidation Credit Card Florida
- Free Debt Consolidation Florida
- How To Get a Debt Consolidation Loan Florida

Related Local Events

Financial Forecasting
Dates: 11/10/2009 - 11/10/2009
Location: Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce
Jacksonville, FL
View Details

Financial Forecasting
Dates: 11/10/2009 - 11/10/2009
Location: Chamber’s downtown location
Jacksonville, FL
View Details

Position your Business to Prosper in Today's Economy
Dates: 9/24/2009 - 9/24/2009
Location: Murphy Business & Financial Services, Inc
Clearwater, FL
View Details

Financial Forecasting
Dates: 9/12/2009 - 9/12/2009
Location: Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce
Jacksonville, FL
View Details

Financial Forecasting
Dates: 9/12/2009 - 9/12/2009
Location: downtown Chamber bldg.
Jacksonville, FL
View Details

Rate Article

Save to My Articles

Articles Insider

Advertising	Food & Beverage	Nightlife
Business Services	Franchise	Online Database
Career	Health	Pets
Cars	Holidays	Real Estate Resources
Computer Hardware	Home Appliances	Retail & Consumer Services
Construction	Home Electronics	Software
Education	Home Services	Technology
Entertainment	Industrial Goods & Services	Telecommunications
Environmental	Insurance	Trade Shows
Family	Internet	Travel
Fashion	Legal	Weddings
Financial Services	Miscellaneous	World History

Advertising	Family	Home Services	Real Estate Resources
Business Services	Fashion	Industrial Goods & Services	Retail & Consumer Services
Career	Financial Services	Insurance	Software
Cars	Food & Beverage	Internet	Technology
Computer Hardware	Franchise	Legal	Telecommunications
Construction	Health	Miscellaneous	Trade Shows
Education	Holidays	Nightlife	Travel
Entertainment	Home Appliances	Online Database	Weddings
Environmental	Home Electronics	Pets	World History