American Consumer Credit Counseling

American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) has been in business for almost two decades and is a national leader in the industry...

When you are in need of credit counseling, your best bet is to find a non-profit organization that has been in business long enough to have established a reputation for being ethical and honest in their dealings with the general public. Your finances are already in bad enough shape that you don’t need some fly-by-night company making them any worse for you. American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) has been in business for almost two decades and is a national leader in the industry. Their services for credit counseling and budget counseling are free, which is the first thing you should be looking for in a credit counseling company.

Most of the time, your relationship with a credit counseling company will not end with your initial counseling session. If you are sincerely looking to get your finances back in order so that you can restore your good name you will need an organization that offers multiple services that might be necessary on your road to financial recovery. Some of the programs offered at ACCC are:

• Credit counseling
• Debt Management Program
• Bankruptcy Counseling
• Housing Counseling
• Financial Resources

One thing that is very important for you to know, right up front, is that ACCC does not lend money. Many so-called credit counseling companies are actually lenders who pose as credit counselors trying to get your business with a debt consolidation loan. They make money off the high interest rates they charge you so they will do everything in their power to talk you into that loan. Unfortunately, that consolidation loan might be the last thing you need at the moment. Unscrupulous lenders might not tell you that the high rates you will be charged will result in higher monthly payments than you currently have when your bills are totaled. ACCC is not a lender and they tell you up front what the fees are for their services. They might advise you that a loan is in order, but they won’t be the lender making a profit.

ACCC works with your creditors on your behalf. They try to negotiate reduced interest rates and will also make every effort to get your creditors to forego late and/or over-the-limit fees. You will make one monthly payment to American Consumer Credit Counseling if you contract their services for debt settlement or debt negotiation. This payment will include your monthly fees plus money to be disbursed among your creditors.

Also, they have reduced or waived fees for consumers who meet specific criteria. Seniors, active military personnel, full-time students and veterans are among the groups who might be eligible for reduced or waived fees. ACCC is consumer oriented and they make every effort to act on your behalf, including tailoring fees to fit your budget whenever possible. And, there may be times when debt settlement or debt negotiation isn’t feasible given your current financial situation so they may counsel you to file for bankruptcy.

There is an extensive website that details everything you need to know before contacting them. Check out the FAQ page if you have any questions regarding the services they offer or the fees they charge. There are links to third party informative sites to further help you with your needs. If you are looking for a company with the credentials and reputation to back them up, you won’t find a better one anywhere.