The best credit counseling can help people who are behind on their debts get back on their feet. Fly-by-night outfits can disappear with your money, and what remains of your credit rating. In between the two are a whole fleet of operators who may or may not leave you better off than you are now.

The economy in 2009 is threatening to be the worst the world has seen in thirty years. It's predicted by economist that personal debt in the United States will explode to levels that some people have never seen before. But it doesn't have to be that way.

People can, and should, start a personal debt management program as soon as they realize that their payments are greater than their income. There's nothing worse than to start getting phone calls about past due bills just as your sitting down to dinner. I'm telling you this from personal experience.

It's as soon as you get that first phone call that you should start thinking about debt management and debt consolidation. There are companies out there, either on the web or in brick and mortar buildings that promise you 50, 60 or even 70% savings on your bills.

While it is possible, don't believe all the claims until you've investigated the different companies out there. And what should you look for? Well, here are a few things you should keep in mind:

Is the company a member of the Better Business Bureau, and a member in good standing? Anybody can get a Dunn and Bradstreet or Chamber of Commerce recommendation.

Does the company want to charge you a flat commission on your debts instead of a percentage of what they save you. Needless to say, a company will work a lot harder to save you money when they get paid a percentage of it.

Do they suggest that debt consolidation doesn't appear on your credit report- it does and costs you much more then debt settlement.

Do they suggest that you sign up for a debt consolidation program and pay back your debts in full with interest.

These are only a few of the things you should look for in a debt management program, but they're things you should look for. And finally, when you're convinced that you've found a reputable company, you should see how you feel working with the counselor assigned you. Nobody wants to work with an uncaring, gruff and unprofessional counselor especially at a time like this.

No matter how good the debt management company looks on paper, if you have the slightest misgiving about your counselor, immediately ask for another counselor. The company should be professional enough to know that sometimes personalities just don't click.

Since I've gone through the procedures I just explained. . . in fact, I'm still going through debt counseling, and since I was given a free website, I started detailing the best companies I've found. It doesn't cost a thing to look, why not even talk to a few... but I urge you to take action before you find yourself in bankruptcy court, which will ruin your life forever.

But the services now have plenty of competition. A rise in consumer debt in the 1990s helped spawn hundreds of rivals, many with million-dollar advertising budgets, slick Internet come-ons and sound-alike names.

Some do a good job of negotiating repayment plans. Others charge fat upfront fees, pay their executives even fatter salaries and pocket much of the money that could be going to pay off creditors. An increasing number target people who aren't even late on their payments, but who are simply disgruntled about their interest rates.

The worst aren't credit counselors at all. Usually billing themselves as specialists in "debt settlement," they promise to help you get rid of your debts for pennies on the dollar -- after you pay an upfront fee that can be $3,000 or more. Typically, by the time I hear about these companies, they've already absconded with people's cash, disconnected their phones and set up shop somewhere new with a different name.

Typically, counseling services negotiate lower payments with credit-card companies and other lenders, then make the payments using a check or electronic funds transfer sent to them by the consumer each month.

Most of the counseling services' fees are paid by the lenders themselves, which send back to the services a portion of the payments received. This has led some critics to charge that credit counseling is just a tool of the lending industry.

Hi Everyone,

As I am sure you know, North Americans have more debt today than ever before, and that debt is growing!

In fact since this is such a sensitive topic most people suffering with debt never seek qualified help and the situation quickly snowballs when in fact all they really need is a simple debt solution to get them back on track...

I am happy to report that I have found an honest and ethical solution to this problem, however, this is NOT for everyone...

Keep in mind, you may NOT even qualify for debt settlement.

You need to watch this free video first to determine if this is a viable solution for you.

If you are suffering from debt, and you qualify, you too can finally settle your debts and simplify your life so you have time and energy for the things that are really important.

Bottom line: This free video is a must see for anyone looking to fully research the Debt Settlement Process...

http://tinyurl.com/7puat3

Sincerely,

Dataminer