Sunday, October 1st
2023 Credit Counseling Service Reviews
Advantage Credit Counseling Service
- Non-profit credit counseling
- In service for over 50 years
- 5 in-person locations in Pennsylvania
- Over $1.2 billion in debt eliminated
- Over 400,000 clients counseled
- Services include free credit counseling, including an online version available 24/7
- Fee-based services include debt management programs, bankruptcy counseling and education, housing (pre-purchase, foreclosure prevention, reverse mortgage), and credit report review
- DMP has a one-time setup fee of $50 and monthly fees from $10 to $50 depending on your state
- "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
- Member of NFCC
Advantage Credit Counseling Service (CCS) is a non-profit credit counseling agency that offers various services to assist individuals in managing their finances. These include credit counseling, debt management programs, pre-filing bankruptcy counseling, pre-discharge education classes, credit report review, and several types of housing counseling. CCS has been in operation since 1968 and has helped over 400,000 clients eliminate more than $1.2 billion in debt. While their fees are reasonable, and we love that consumers can get a preliminary action plan online any time of day or night, CCS' limited client feedback makes it difficult to compare them to our top-ranked credit counseling providers.
DebtWave
- Non-profit provider of credit counseling
- Services include debt management, pre- and post-bankruptcy counseling, and credit coaching
- Debt management programs have a one-time enrollment fee of up to $75 and a monthly fee of up to $49
- In operation since 2001
- "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
- Accredited by the NFCC
DebtWave Credit Counseling is a little newer than some services on the market, getting its start back in 2001. As you'd guess from the name, the primary focus here is debt management, though interested individuals can also take advantage of free credit counseling and inexpensive pre- and post-bankruptcy help. Although DebtWave's fees for DMPs are slightly higher than average and the site itself could use some touching up, almost every client leaving a review for this service gives it five stars. DebtWave could be worth considering if you don't find the help you want with a higher-rated organization.
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Where Can You Get the Best Credit Counseling?
Credit counseling services can be incredibly helpful to individuals who are struggling with debt, looking to improve their credit score, or simply need guidance on financial planning. However, with so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to turn for the best counseling services.
One of the primary benefits of credit counseling is that it can provide you with a comprehensive assessment of your financial situation. This assessment takes into account your income, expenses, debts, and assets, and helps identify areas where you may be overspending or under-saving. Based on this assessment, the credit counselor can provide personalized advice to you on how to create a budget that aligns with your financial goals.
Credit Counseling Service FAQ
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Another benefit of credit counseling is that it can help you develop a plan to pay off your debts. This plan may involve consolidating debts, negotiating with creditors, or creating a debt repayment plan. By working with a credit counselor, you can develop a debt repayment plan that is tailored to your specific financial situation, which can help you achieve financial freedom more quickly.
In addition to debt repayment, credit counseling can also provide education and resources on how to manage credit and financial products. This education can help you make informed decisions about credit cards, loans, and other financial products, which can improve your credit scores and make it easier to access credit in the future. By learning about the different types of credit products available, you can choose the products that are best suited to your financial goals and needs.
The first step in finding the best credit counseling service is to identify your specific needs. Are you currently dealing with significant credit card debt? Are you looking for guidance on how to improve your credit score? Do you need help with financial planning or budgeting? Depending on your situation, you may need to seek out a credit counseling service that specializes in a particular area of financial counseling.
Once you have a clear understanding of your needs, you can begin your search for the best credit counseling service for you. A good place to start is by checking with non-profit credit counseling organizations, as they typically offer free counseling services and may also be able to direct you to resources that can help you better manage your finances.
There are also a number of for-profit credit counseling services available, many of which offer free consultations to help you determine whether their services are right for you. When considering a for-profit credit counseling service, it's important to do your research and make sure that the organization is reputable and has a solid track record of success.
When evaluating any credit counseling service, be sure to consider these factors as well:
- Experience and credentials. How long has the service been operating? How many clients have they helped? What kind of certifications does the provider have?
- Types of service offered. Will you receive basic counseling or in-depth, hands-on help with making a budget and paying down debt? Which services are free and which ones are fee-based?
- Client feedback. Read reviews and testimonials from previous clients to get a better sense of their effectiveness and customer service. Credit problems are stressful enough on their own, so finding a counseling service that has a good reputation can ease your worries during the process of turning over a new leaf.
Ultimately, the best credit counseling service for you will depend on your individual needs and situation. Top Consumer Reviews has done the hard work of researching all of today's most popular credit counseling providers, making it easy for you to choose the one that will best help you make better financial decisions and achieve your goals.
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