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Need help to address credit card debt? Avoid companies that display any of these 6 red flags

by Barbara Marquand
Need help to address credit card debt? Avoid companies that display any of these 6 red flags

If you feel like you’re about to drown in credit card debt, the last thing you need is to get deeper into trouble, but that’s exactly what could happen if you fall for a scam that attempts to profit from your financial misfortune.

Do some research before hiring a company that promises to help you deal with your credit card companies and get debt relief. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suggests entering the company’s name in a search engine with the word “complaints” to read what other people have said about the firm you are considering.

Furthermore, the FTC says watch for these red flags and avoid any companies that display them:

1. “New Government Program” for Credit Card Debt Relief

While there are new federal credit card regulations that protect consumers from unfair credit card industry practices, such as arbitrary interest rate hikes, there is no new government program for getting out of paying off your credit cards.

2. Guarantees for Wiping Out Credit Card Debt

Nobody can just make your credit card debt go away. If it sounds too good to be true, then walk away.

3. Tells You to Stop Communicating with Credit Card Companies

This is bad advice, the FTC says. Keeping in touch with your creditors is critical when you are having financial difficulty.

4. Guarantees to Stop Debt Collection and Lawsuits

Don’t fall for empty promises like this one. No one can guarantee a halt to calls from debt collection companies or protection from lawsuits.

5. Credit Card Debt Paid Off with Pennies on the Dollar

Settling debt for less than you owe is not what it’s cracked up to be. Settled debts, which are reported to credit reporting bureaus, hurt your credit score and make it tougher to qualify for mortgages, car loans, and other credit cards.

6. Fat Upfront Fee

Beware of companies that require you to pay a full fee in the first few months before they have produced any results.

Rather than paying a company to settle your debts for you, consider getting help from a reputable, non-profit credit counseling service. You can get referrals through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. In addition, the U.S. Department of Justice maintains a list of approved credit counseling services on its website, and the FTC offers consumer tips for choosing a credit counselor.

Disclaimer:The information in this article is believed to be accurate as of the date it was written. Please keep in mind that credit card offers change frequently. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this article. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. See the online credit card application for full terms and conditions on offers and rewards. Please verify all terms and conditions of any credit card prior to applying.

This content is not provided by any company mentioned in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any such company. CardRatings.com does not review every company or every offer available on the market.

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