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American Consumer Credit Counseling Review

Sunday, September 15th

2024 Credit Counseling Service Reviews

American Consumer Credit Counseling Review 4.5 Star Rating

American Consumer Credit Counseling

4.5 Star Rating
  • Non-profit credit counseling organization
  • No fees for most credit counseling
  • Debt management plan fees are lower than some rivals: $39 to enroll and monthly fees ranging from $7 to $70, depending on where you live
  • Bankruptcy counseling available for $39-$49 per household
  • Many five-star reviews from clients
  • Available in all 50 states
  • In operation since 1991
  • Accredited by the BBB ("A+” rating) and the NFCC

American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a non-profit credit counseling organization that was founded in 1991. The company has its headquarters in Newton, Massachusetts, and operates in all 50 states. The mission of ACCC is to empower consumers to take control of their financial lives through education and counseling.

4 overall types of credit counseling available

There are several different services offered by ACCC:

  • Credit Counseling: contact ACCC to get a free one-hour consultation that will help you evaluate your current financial situation, give you a detailed review of your expenses, assets, and income, and provide personalized options based on your goals.
  • Debt Management: you'll pay a one-time fee of $39 to enroll and monthly maintenance fees of $7 to $70. That fee can be waived or reduced if you're eligible, which depends on your state's regulations.
  • Bankruptcy Counseling: both pre- and post-bankruptcy services available. $49 per household for pre-filing counseling and $39 per household for post-bankruptcy counseling. ACCC will quickly get your certificate issued upon completion and will go the extra step of making sure your attorney receives it.
  • Housing Services: these include reverse mortgage counseling, homebuyer education and certification, and foreclosure resources.

Accredited by the BBB and NFCC

ACCC is accredited by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and is a member of the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA). The company has an "A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has been recognized as a top credit counseling organization by industry publications.

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Clients give this organization five stars

Beyond that, almost every single client review for ACCC is a perfect five stars, both on comments left on the BBB site as well as on ACCC's Facebook page and more. We like hearing that both new and long-term clients get friendly, helpful, and patient customer service. It's also wonderful to see that ACCC takes a no-pressure approach: clients say that the information is presented objectively and then they're allowed to take the time they need to decide how they want to move forward.

Fantastic choice for credit counseling

Overall, American Consumer Credit Counseling is a reputable non-profit organization that offers a range of services to help individuals and families improve their financial well-being. While fees may vary depending on the state of residence and the service required, the organization strives to keep its services affordable and accessible to those who need them. With a focus on education and counseling, ACCC can be counted on to empower you to take control of your financial life and achieve long-term financial stability. This organization earns one of our strongest recommendations among providers of credit counseling.

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.

The Best Credit Counseling Services Compare Credit Counseling Services Compare Credit Counseling Service Reviews What are the best Credit Counseling Services Best Credit Counseling Service Reviews

Credit Counseling Service FAQ

Credit counseling is a broad term used to refer to any advice or assistance regarding consumer credit. This could be a database of articles about topics like student loans or credit scores, programs designed to work with creditors to consolidate your debt, or even one-on-one guidance from an experienced advisor.
That depends on where you go for services. Some programs do an in-depth analysis of your financial situation and help you remove negative entries on your credit history or negotiate with creditors to manage your debt. Others provide advice about getting the best student loans or qualifying for a first-time mortgage. The spectrum of services included in credit counseling is broad: there's something for everyone!
According to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, more than a million consumers take advantage of counseling every year. And, with so many Americans struggling with debts, unsure how to improve their credit scores, and questioning where to turn for the best advice, many millions more should be using credit counseling programs!
Many times, they're free! There are a lot of services whose programs come at no cost to you - and even the ones with nominal fees are usually very affordable when you consider the benefits of reducing your debt and improving your credit score.
For some programs, yes: you might need to have a certain minimum amount of debt (like $5,000). But, there are many credit counseling services where the only requirement is that you're interested in working with them to become better-educated and to get control of your finances.
The more thorough you are with your credit counselor, the more accurate the advice they'll be able to provide. Some documentation that can help them have the clearest picture would include your credit card statements, pay stubs from your employer, bank statements, and any notices you may have gotten from bill collectors or creditors.
Absolutely. Some credit counseling services have a history that spans decades, helping millions of people to understand how to make better decisions with their money. Of course, it's always a good idea to see what other consumers have to say before choosing which credit counseling provider to use. The Better Business Bureau is a solid resource for determining a credit counseling service's reputation and overall standing too.
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Continued from above...

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.

Compare Credit Counseling Services

Select any 2 Credit Counseling Services to compare them head to head

best-credit-counseling-services
  • Credit.org
  • Money Management International
  • American Consumer Credit Counseling
  • Apprisen
  • Advantage Credit Counseling Service
  • Consolidated Credit
  • DebtWave
  • NFCC
  • GreenPath
Credit.org vs Money Management International Credit.org vs American Consumer Credit Counseling Credit.org vs Apprisen Credit.org vs Advantage Credit Counseling Service Credit.org vs Consolidated Credit Credit.org vs DebtWave Credit.org vs NFCC Credit.org vs GreenPath Money Management International vs American Consumer Credit Counseling Money Management International vs Apprisen Money Management International vs Advantage Credit Counseling Service Money Management International vs Consolidated Credit Money Management International vs DebtWave Money Management International vs NFCC Money Management International vs GreenPath American Consumer Credit Counseling vs Apprisen American Consumer Credit Counseling vs Advantage Credit Counseling Service American Consumer Credit Counseling vs Consolidated Credit American Consumer Credit Counseling vs DebtWave American Consumer Credit Counseling vs NFCC American Consumer Credit Counseling vs GreenPath Apprisen vs Advantage Credit Counseling Service Apprisen vs Consolidated Credit Apprisen vs DebtWave Apprisen vs NFCC Apprisen vs GreenPath Advantage Credit Counseling Service vs Consolidated Credit Advantage Credit Counseling Service vs DebtWave Advantage Credit Counseling Service vs NFCC Advantage Credit Counseling Service vs GreenPath Consolidated Credit vs DebtWave Consolidated Credit vs NFCC Consolidated Credit vs GreenPath DebtWave vs NFCC DebtWave vs GreenPath NFCC vs GreenPath
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