Debt consolidation credit counseling might be just what the doctor ordered for you or not. If you are drowning and debt and don't what to do a credit counselor may be able to help.
Debt Consolidation Credit Counseling for Dummies

Your first contact at a debt consolidation credit counseling agency is often a credit counselor. A good credit counselor will want to meet with you locally in person first. The counselor will provide you with customized education and what your option are before you need to make any choices. The primary service that most credit counseling agencies provide today are Debt Management Plans (DMP). With creditor approval a debtor submits a lump sum to their credit counselor as a key feature of a DMP.
Where Do I Get Debt Consolidation Credit Counseling

Your search for a debt consolidation credit counselor can begin with the phone book or online using your favorite search engine. Search for "credit counseling" and your location with Google for example. Once you have a list of credit counseling agencies cross reference the two top member organizations the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCA) and the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA). If the agency appears in either or both then check for their ratings with the local Better Business Bureau too. Doing your homework first has never been more important and useful.

How To Avoid Debt Consolidation Credit Counseling Scams

There are more scam debt consolidation credit counseling agencies today than ever before. Protect yourself by doing your homework before meeting with any counselors. Check out the debt consolidation credit counseling agency online and with the Better Business Bureau. Look out for upfront payment demands.

Credit Reports and Debt Consolidation Credit Counseling

You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from the three major bureaus annually. Get a copy and review it before you take on any debt consolidation credit counseling. After completing counseling or a DMP check your credit report again for any notes or improvements. Some positive benefits to your credit report could be the removal of delinquent payments or "re-aging" of your accounts by creditors. Lenders may take credit counseling as a plus or a minus depending on their bias to words lending.

Do I Need Debt Consolidation Credit Counseling Before I File For Bankruptcy

Even if you think that bankruptcy is your best course of action you will still need to look into credit counseling. Recent changes to the federal bankruptcy laws require that you seek credit counseling at least six months before you file. Your debt consolidation credit counselor needs to be federally approved as well.

Debt consolidation credit counseling can help you to take care of business. Do your research and find a great credit counselor. Don't procrastinate get on with it immediately.

-----------------------About the Author

For more articles on Debt Consolidation Credit Counseling go to: ConsolidationDebtNews.info

Henna Youngman contributes regularly to ConsolidationDebtNews.info a blog dedicated to share information about debt counseling and debt consolidation options.