Not all
debt settlement companies are created equal. Because
of unscrupulous business practices of some companies within our
industry, we strongly recommend our clients do their homework carefully
before signing up for any
debt settlement plan. After all, your finances are on the line, and you need to be
confident that your money isn’t going to be taken for a ride as you
travel down the road towards financial stability. The following are
four red flags we consider deal breakers when assessing a debt
settlement company.
The Company is Not Professionally Accredited. Any
company can register with the BBB, but not every company can register
with the BSI Group, the United States Organization for
Bankruptcy Alternatives, and the IAPDA. These organizations set rigorous standards
for our industry that members must adhere to. These standards not only
ensure high quality service, they also guarantee that the highest level
of integrity and ethics will be delivered.
There are Risks Involved. Many
debt settlement companies require participants to deposit money into a special savings
account every month. At the end of the specified term, these funds are
turned over to the creditor and the debt is officially settled. Many
times, people drop out of these programs, and in the process, they lose
the money they’ve deposited. Additionally, some
debt settlement companies will actually encourage debtors to stop sending payments to
the creditor altogether. This can cause late fees, penalties and nasty
dings on credit reports.
Scams are Plentiful. If it sounds too good to be
true, it is. Any company that says they have a “new” program, will
settle for pennies on the dollar, or can make your debts simply vanish,
is full of hogwash. These are red flags that should make you get up and
walk away from the table.
There are Costs. Debt settlement is a business, not
a charity. The company gets paid with fees earned from helping you
manage your debts. These fees can add up, and you’ll want to make sure
you understand them so there won’t be any hidden surprises.
Debt settlement is something that doesn’t happen overnight. However, the IAPDA certified team at
Superior Debt Relief Services
is ready to help you with proper debt management. We invite you to
contact us by calling 866-896-7616 to learn more about the
counseling services we have available.