Consumer Credit Counseling Services (CCCS) are nonprofit community organizations staffed with certified credit counselors who help improve consumers' financial situation by assessing current financial health, establishing a personal budget and, if appropriate, enrolling in a Debt Management Program (DMP) to pay off unsecured debt.

Provision

CCCS provide credit counseling sessions by phone, in person or via the Internet and are required to offer the consultation for free to those who cannot afford it. Consumers seeking their help should disclose ahead of time if they are unable to pay. Sessions are 60 to 90 minutes.

Debt Management

Consumers in financial crisis due to credit card debt are encouraged to participate in a DMP, managed by the agency for a reasonable monthly fee. Credit counselors negotiate with creditors. DMP often functions as an alternative to filing for bankruptcy.

Certification

Credit counselors are certified the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) or the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA), which represent nonprofit credit counseling organizations.

Accreditation

Agency accreditation is provided by the Council on Accreditation (COA), an independent and nonprofit accrediting organization for human services.

Affiliation

Agencies with membership to one or more of the following further enhances an organization's professional reputation and credibility--NFCC, AICCCA, and the Better Business Bureau.

Source:

National Foundation for Credit Counseling

Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies

Council of Accreditation

More Information:

Federal Trade Commission: Fiscal Fitness: Choosing a Credit Counselor

U.S. Trustee Program: List of Government Approved Credit Counseling Organizations