Protect Yourself

Be wary of credit counseling organizations that:
  • charge high up-front or monthly fees for enrolling in credit counseling or a DMP.
  • pressure you to make "voluntary contributions," another name for fees.
  • won' t send you free information about the services they provide without requiring you to provide personal financial information, such as credit card account numbers, and balances.
  • try to enroll you in a DMP without spending time reviewing your financial situation.
  • offer to enroll you in a DMP without teaching you budgeting and money management skills.
  • demand that you make payments into a DMP before your creditors have accepted you into the program.

Source: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/kneedeep.htm