I typed “consolidated debt services” into a search engine recently, and I came across Consolidated Credit Counseling Services. It was the first option, and I guess I was feeling lucky, so I clicked on it. I’m glad I did because I was impressed by its transparency and its ability to help out its clients.
Consolidated Credit Counseling Services began doing business in 1993. Along with financial education and credit counseling, CCCS also offers debt management programs and counseling about housing information. As well as offering information about do-it-yourself techniques, CCCS also explains myths about debt consolidation. The company’s website did not offer very much information about debt settlement, so I wouldn’t go to the company for this service. Primarily, you should look to the company for credit counseling and debt consolidation purposes.
I checked the company’s Better Business Bureau file, and I was further impressed. CCCS has been accredited with the BBB since 1998. While there have been a few consumer complaints in the past few months, CCCS posts an A+ because of its prompt responses to its customers. CCCS is also a member of the US Chamber of Commerce, and it is also partnered with organizations like the United Way and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
A great aspect about the company is its transparency. It has a page where you can learn about the people of the company and their qualifications. This includes founder Howard Dvorkin, who has almost 20 years of experience in the financial realm. Mr. Dvorkin contributes to Fox Business News, and he has also appeared on national TV programs, such as CNN and the CBS Nightly News. He has also written a book called Credit Hell– How to Dig Out of Debt. The company website also offers a lengthy privacy statement, assuring that CCCS does not disclose any non-public personal information about its clients unless required by law or a court order.
Mr. Dvorkin recently contributed to an article published on Yahoo! News. In it, he talks about how now (the beginning of fall) is the best time to deal with your debt, especially with the holiday season nearing. Mr. Dvorkin offers these seven items to check:
- Get a free credit report. Knowing your credit score is crucial if you are going to make a large purchase in the near future.
- Pay off debts. If you haven’t already started and you’ve been putting it off, now is the optimal time to start.
- Manage finances. Build up your savings, and stay away from credit cards.
- Do taxes early. If you start now, you’ll have plenty of time to correct mistakes.
- Identify goals. Again, more incentive to save up.
- Protect assets. Make sure you are up to date with insurance policies.
- Review retirement plans. Whether you have a 401(k) or IRA, contribute some money to it.
While it’s not typically recommended to settle for the first thing you see, I was rather impressed by the information I found from Consolidated Credit Counseling Services. If you are making a list of organizations for credit counseling or debt management, make sure to put CCCS on your list.
He played clarinet for the Marching Tar Heels in 2005 and 2006. He also volunteered for STV, the student-run television station at UNC-Chapel Hill, in the spring of 2010. He shot video, wrote scripts, and acted for “Off the Cuff,” UNC’s longest running sketch comedy show. He has the rare distinction of having lived in a dorm all four years of his undergraduate college career. He was also on Franklin Street on the night of April 4, 2009. His future plans are to pursue a master’s degree in journalism and to one day work for the media as a sports journalist or broadcaster.
Being one of eight children, David realizes finance is an important topic to everyone, regardless of his/her knowledge of the subject. His interests are in personal finance, budgeting, and savings.
In his spare time, David enjoys watching sports and standup comedy, as well as doing crossword puzzles and writing in the first person. He also thoroughly enjoys trivia and, one day, hopes to participate on the game show Jeopardy!, where he will try to break Ken Jennings’ 74-game win streak.
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